A family in Norway searching for a lost gold earring in their courtyard with a metal detector accidently unearthed artefacts dating back more than a millennium. A bowl-shaped buckle and another item that appear to be part of a Viking-era burial was dug up by the Aasvik family, reported the BBC.
The discovery made under a large tree in the centre of the family's garden on the island, off Norway's south coast is believed to have been used in the ninth-century burial of a woman on the small island of Jomfruland, the BBC further reported, citing experts.
The Cultural Heritage of Vestfold and Telemark County Council also shared about this find on Facebook and wrote, "We congratulate the family who found the first safe Viking-time find at Jomfruland,"
The post shared by Council has a series of images that show the relics and the family that found them.
"On Jomfruland there has been settlement for many years, but the evidence for this only stretches back to the early Middle Ages, although it is believed that it was also inhabited in the Viking Age," reads the post.
"A very well-preserved bowl-shaped buckle, and another item that matches both in dating and style. We think this is a woman's grave that is preserved in the family's garden, and think she was laid there well into the 8th century," the council added.
The family has also been applauded by the council for letting them know about the rare discovery.
Shared last month, the post has since amassed tons of comments.
"I love to see how close the find is to the house: isn't it hyggeligt that the area was such a preferred settlement back then as it is now? Congratulations on such a beautiful find!," commented one user on the post.
"Nice to see the kid having fun. For him, it must be like those Enid Blyton adventure novels of the past," wrote another user.
"So amazing!! I bet they'll find another brooch, the matching one for the other shoulder," commented a third.