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Questions about Jelling

Short answers, pulled from the story.

What are the Jelling stones and why are they famous?

The Jelling stones are two rune stones standing between the two large burial mounds in Jelling, Denmark. They are national monuments and have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1994, along with the mounds and Jelling Church.

Who built the burial mounds at Jelling?

The North Mound at Jelling was built between 958 and 959 CE, possibly for King Gorm the Old of Denmark. The South Mound was built around 970. Harald Bluetooth, Gorm's son, is associated with both mounds and built a wooden church near the stones in 965 CE.

When did Jelling become a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

The Jelling monuments, including the stones, burial mounds, and Jelling Church, were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1994.

What was found inside the North Mound at Jelling?

An empty burial chamber was found inside the North Mound at Jelling. Harald Bluetooth re-interred the remains of his father Gorm the Old beneath the church he built at the site between 965 and 966 CE.

How much did the Jelling town centre reconstruction project cost?

The reconstruction project in Jelling's town centre was estimated to cost around 250 million DKK, or approximately 33.5 million euros. The AP Moller and Chastine Mc-Kinney Moller Foundation alone donated 70 million DKK toward the project.

What was Jelling's role in Viking Age Denmark?

Jelling served as the royal seat of the first monarchs of the Kingdom of Denmark during the Viking Age, including Gorm the Old, Þyra, and Harald Bluetooth. At least one source describes Jelling as the capital of an ancient kingdom known as Jellund.