Recent ground-penetrating radar surveys have confirmed that Karnilshaugen, a large mound in western Norway, is a man-made burial site, validating long-held archaeological theories.
The discovery was made during investigations connected to the excavation of Myklebust in Nordfjordeid last year. Commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Cultural Heritage, the surveys were conducted by archaeologists from the University of Bergen in collaboration with the University of Stavanger.
“Karnilshaugen has been referred to as a burial mound for many years, and is already a protected cultural monument by the Norwegian Ministry of Cultural Heritage. It has been assumed that it is man-made, but we have not been able to say for sure. We can now, and it is very exciting,” says Christian Løchsen Rødsrud, senior advisor and archaeologist at the Norwegian Ministry of Cultural Heritage.
Largest Burial Mound in Western Norway
Karnilshaugen is around seven meters high, but was probably up to ten meters when it was built. Photo by Jan Magnus Weiberg-Aurdal, National Agency for Cultural Heritage
Situated near Sandane along the Gloppefjord, Karnilshaugen stands approximately seven metres high and spans over 50 metres in diameter. It is the largest man-made burial mound in Western Norway and ranks among the largest in the Nordic region.
“This is the largest man-made burial mound in Western Norway, and among the largest in the Nordic countries,” says Rødsrud.
Radar images reveal that the mound’s soil layers are not naturally deposited but deliberately constructed. Experts believe it dates back to the Iron Age and may have retained cultural significance into the Viking Age.
Rødsrud suggested that Karnilshaugen might have belonged to the same chiefdom that built Myklebust, forming part of the regional power structure of the era. This connection will inform the World Heritage nomination process for Myklebust.
A Site of Mystery and Astronomical Alignment
Georadar images from Karnilshaugen shows, among other things, hints of a moat – in blue markings. Photo courtesy University of Stavanger
Karnilshaugen, also called Thinghaugen at Hauge, likely served as a gathering place in medieval times. It holds a unique place in Norwegian archaeology as the only known burial mound linked to a solar phenomenon.
“At the winter and summer solstices, the sun shines on the mound through a crevice in the mountain at a certain time. There is a lot of mystery and superstition drawn into the landscape there, and the placement of the monument is deliberate,” says Rødsrud.
What Lies Beneath?
Director of National Heritage Hanna Geiran (center) was on an inspection tour of Karnilshaugen last fall. Here with archaeologist Morten Ramstad from the University of Bergen and senior advisor at the Director of National Heritage, Ole Søe Eriksen. Photo by Jan Magnus Weiberg-Aurdal, National Agency for Cultural Heritage
The contents of Karnilshaugen remain a mystery. It has never been excavated, and current archaeological practice prioritises preservation.
“The mound has never been excavated, and it is not appropriate to do so now. The prevailing practice in archaeology is to leave it standing. The mound is well preserved in the soil,” Rødsrud says.
However, Rødsrud noted the potential for future exploration using advanced georadar technology. “But we can of course find out more about the contents of the pile with more modern georadar technology in the future.”
Top Image: Aerial photo of Karnilshaugen with a view towards Gloppefjorden. Photo: University Museum of Bergen
Recent ground-penetrating radar surveys have confirmed that Karnilshaugen, a large mound in western Norway, is a man-made burial site, validating long-held archaeological theories.
The discovery was made during investigations connected to the excavation of Myklebust in Nordfjordeid last year. Commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Cultural Heritage, the surveys were conducted by archaeologists from the University of Bergen in collaboration with the University of Stavanger.
“Karnilshaugen has been referred to as a burial mound for many years, and is already a protected cultural monument by the Norwegian Ministry of Cultural Heritage. It has been assumed that it is man-made, but we have not been able to say for sure. We can now, and it is very exciting,” says Christian Løchsen Rødsrud, senior advisor and archaeologist at the Norwegian Ministry of Cultural Heritage.
Largest Burial Mound in Western Norway
Situated near Sandane along the Gloppefjord, Karnilshaugen stands approximately seven metres high and spans over 50 metres in diameter. It is the largest man-made burial mound in Western Norway and ranks among the largest in the Nordic region.
“This is the largest man-made burial mound in Western Norway, and among the largest in the Nordic countries,” says Rødsrud.
Radar images reveal that the mound’s soil layers are not naturally deposited but deliberately constructed. Experts believe it dates back to the Iron Age and may have retained cultural significance into the Viking Age.
Rødsrud suggested that Karnilshaugen might have belonged to the same chiefdom that built Myklebust, forming part of the regional power structure of the era. This connection will inform the World Heritage nomination process for Myklebust.
A Site of Mystery and Astronomical Alignment
shows, among other things, hints of a moat – in blue markings. Photo courtesy University of Stavanger
Karnilshaugen, also called Thinghaugen at Hauge, likely served as a gathering place in medieval times. It holds a unique place in Norwegian archaeology as the only known burial mound linked to a solar phenomenon.
“At the winter and summer solstices, the sun shines on the mound through a crevice in the mountain at a certain time. There is a lot of mystery and superstition drawn into the landscape there, and the placement of the monument is deliberate,” says Rødsrud.
What Lies Beneath?
The contents of Karnilshaugen remain a mystery. It has never been excavated, and current archaeological practice prioritises preservation.
“The mound has never been excavated, and it is not appropriate to do so now. The prevailing practice in archaeology is to leave it standing. The mound is well preserved in the soil,” Rødsrud says.
However, Rødsrud noted the potential for future exploration using advanced georadar technology. “But we can of course find out more about the contents of the pile with more modern georadar technology in the future.”
Top Image: Aerial photo of Karnilshaugen with a view towards Gloppefjorden. Photo: University Museum of Bergen
Subscribe to Medievalverse
Related Posts