Where is the Gokstad Mound located?
The Gokstad Mound is at Gokstad Farm in Sandefjord, Vestfold County, Norway. It is also known as the King's Mound, or Kongshaugen in Norwegian.
Questions about Gokstad Mound
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who excavated the Gokstad Mound and when?
Nicolay Nicolaysen excavated the Gokstad Mound between April and June 1880. The ship inside had been discovered in 1879, a year before the formal excavation began.
What artifacts were found inside the Gokstad Mound?
The mound contained the Gokstad Ship, sixty-four shields, twelve horses, two peacocks, two goshawks, eight dogs, three smaller boats, a sleigh, six beds, kitchen utensils, fishing hooks, and a gaming board with counters made of horn. Harness fittings of lead, iron, and gilded bronze were also recovered, along with remnants of silk woven with gold thread.
Who is buried in the Gokstad Mound?
The identity of the chieftain buried in the Gokstad Mound is unknown. He was long believed to be Olaf Geirstad-Alf, a petty king and half-brother of Halfdan the Black, but recent discoveries have introduced uncertainty about this identification. The buried man was killed in battle around the age of forty.
How large is the Gokstad Ship found at the Gokstad Mound?
The Gokstad Ship is 23.8 meters long and 5.2 meters wide, built primarily of oak. It had sixteen pairs of oars and an estimated top speed of twelve knots. It is now displayed at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo.
Has the Gokstad Mound been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status?
Norway submitted a formal application to UNESCO in January 2014, requesting that the Gokstad Mound be recognized as a World Heritage Site.