Norwegian treasure hunter strikes gold again

A resident of southern Norway has once again unearthed a rare treasure at a historic site.

Sverre Næsheim, a metal detector enthusiast, returned to a farm in Hovland where he first discovered an ancient gold artifact in 2019—and found another remarkable piece, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Næsheim’s initial find was a “gullgubbe,” or gold foil, a delicate sheet of gold dating back roughly 1,200 years. This discovery was the first of its kind in Vestfold County and sparked an extensive georadar survey, which uncovered the remains of a large structure believed to be a communal gathering hall. After receiving permission to revisit the now-protected site this spring, Næsheim quickly found a second gold foil, confirmed by county officials in a recent announcement.

Gold foils, dating from approximately 570 to 800 AD, are thin gold sheets embossed with intricate designs. Typically, they depict human or animal figures and are thought to represent mythological scenes, such as the legendary wedding between a Norse god and a giant.

The newly found gold foil is about half an inch wide and features a pair of figures looking at each other, surrounded by a cord-like border. Close-up images show the figures’ heads touching the top corners, with one figure extending an arm.

Similar gold foils have been uncovered across Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, though their exact purpose remains a mystery. Archaeologists generally associate them with ritualistic ceremonies.

Hovland’s name also hints at its ancient religious significance, as “hov” in Old Norse referred to a temple or site for cult activities.

County officials say they plan to continue excavations at the Hovland site, hopeful that more artifacts will come to light. Located on Norway’s southeastern coast, Hovland lies about 70 miles southwest of Oslo.

By Naila Huseynova