50m long 'ghost ship' revealed after 1,200 years hidden underground

A giant "ghost ship" and three smaller boats recently excavated in Sweden are Viking "ships to the afterlife".

According to Heritage Daily, Swedish archaeologists have just discovered a large ancient cemetery in the country's Halland county, the most notable of which is a 50-meter-long "ghost ship" buried deep underground.

The ancient cemetery lies amid the ruins of an ancient settlement and only about 6% of it can be excavated due to modern construction above.

Even so, researchers discovered up to 139 tombs containing human and animal remains and many valuable burial objects in that modest excavation area.

Some of the jewelry found from ancient tombs in the cemetery with the 50m long "ghost ship" - (Photo: Arkeologerna).

According to the team from Swedish archaeological consultancy Arkeologerna, the site is located on a mountainside near ancient trade routes, with the Tvååkersån river flowing nearby and an old road called Järnbärarvägen running through it.

Much of the site has been damaged by centuries of farming, where the land has been ploughed and levelled to cultivate the land, so most of the graves have been destroyed.

Nevertheless, some notable graves remain, including remnants of the Viking ship burial custom.

In addition to the 50m-long "ghost ship" mentioned above, scientists also found traces of three graves using smaller boats as coffins, as well as a boat-shaped mound.

The graves themselves also varied, some containing dogs were buried in circular fire pits, while human remains were often found in rectangular pits.

"The dog was a companion, accompanying the human on the funeral pyre," the archaeologists explained.

Excavations also revealed a square structure with three large fire pits, containing 17 pots, human and animal bones and other artifacts, including an iron arrowhead.

Subsequent analysis showed that this may not have been a burial site but a cremation site.

Many objects were discovered during the excavation including belt buckles, clasps, various types of gold and silver jewelry and pottery.

An Arab silver coin dating from 795-806 AD suggests the cemetery must be at least 1,200 years old.

The concentration of graves suggests there was a large Viking Age settlement somewhere nearby, according to archaeologists. They will continue their search.