Findings Of A 1,200-Year-Old Viking Temple That Traces The History Of Extermination Of Paganism

Excavations carried out by archaeologists at the University Museum of Bergen (Source: University Museum of Bergen)

JAKARTA - Recently, archaeologists from the University Museum of Bergen found the remains of a 1,200-year-old pagan temple in Norway. Archaeologists believe the ancient temple was where the Vikings performed rituals of worshiping Ancient Norse gods, such as Odin and Thor.

The wooden structure 14 meters long and eight meters wide with an estimated height of 12 meters dates from the eighth century. The building is believed to have served as a place of worship and sacrifice to a god whom the Vikings believed in.

Quoted from Live Science , Wednesday, October 9, 2020, archaeologist, Søren Diinhoff from the University Museum of Bergen said this was the first discovery of an Ancient Nordic temple in Norway. "This is the first time we have come across one of these very special and beautiful buildings," he said.

"We know them from Sweden and we know them from Denmark. This shows that they are also in Norway." added Diinhoff.

According to the archaeologist, the discovery of this ancient Nordic god's house can be reconstructed. He estimates the building was made of wood some 1,200 years ago and was used by the Vikings at that time to worship gods, such as the god of war, Odin; storm god, Thor; and the god of fertility, Freyr.

The site's discovery also revealed the remains of a dining area where the worship ritual was held. This was proven by the discovery of the remains of sacrificial animals there.

According to Diinhof, rituals of worshiping gods are usually held during important festivals on the Viking calendar, namely midsummer and winter. Meat, drink, and precious metals, such as gold, were offered to wooden statues of gods.

"However, the Vikings believed the gods could only take spirits from the food, precious metals and drink, so that usually their worshipers would enjoy their physical offerings. They were partying at that time," said Diinhoff.

Archaeologists also found the foundations of ancient buildings in Ose, a village not far from the city of Ørsta in West Norway. Then, when they excavated the remains of the site, they found traces of the settlement of a farming family that is predicted to date from two thousand to 2,500 years ago.

In addition, archaeologists have found the remains of a Norse god house that was built not far from the location where the farm family's house was found. The shrine to the god worship belongs to a wealthy family group.

This was concluded from a number of visible differences, such as the architectural mix that was identical to the Christian Basilica, namely the minarets like the early Christian churches, which was a sign that Scandinavian society began to interact with Romans and Germanic tribes in Northern Europe.

Not long after assimilation and interaction with Rome and Northern Europe, the followers of Old Nordic paganism in Norway perished since the 11th century. At that time. Norwegian kings forcibly enforced Christianity and burned the temples of the pagan gods, which were later replaced by Christian churches.