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Archeology

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Jonas Lau Markussen

Recent Finds Suggest Sem Is Among Scandinavia’s Oldest Seats of Power

Archaeological findings reshape our understanding of Scandinavian kingship and its origins.

Reconstructed buildings at Sem suggest elite halls had steep roofs for snow runoff. The structure on the right represents a typical house from the period. Illustration: Arkikon/Museum of Cultural History.

Reconstructed buildings at Avaldsnes suggest elite halls had steep roofs for snow runoff. The structure on the right represents a typical house from the period. Illustration: Arkikon/Museum of Cultural History.

A team of archaeologists from the University of Oslo’s Museum of Cultural History is investigating what may be the oldest known royal seat in the Nordic region. Situated in Sem, Norway, this site, long considered of historical importance, is now the focus of cutting-edge research that could redefine our understanding of early Scandinavian kingship. Recent discoveries, including evidence of elite structures and possible ceremonial spaces, suggest that the site played a central role in power dynamics during the centuries leading up to the Viking Age.

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