Researchers have identified a ring with an Arabic inscription found in the tomb excavations in Birka as a unique discovery in Scandinavian archaeology. The ring was initially uncovered in the late 19th century in Birka, located on the island of Björkö near Stockholm. Birka was a significant trading center during the Viking Age and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993.
The ring, which is currently part of the collection at the Swedish Museum of History, was originally described as made of gilded silver with a purple amethyst stone and an inscription of "Allah." However, recent analysis conducted by a team led by Sebastian Vermlander, a biophysicist from Stockholm University, revealed new insights.
Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), the researchers examined the composition of the ring. They discovered that it was actually made of a silver alloy, and the stone believed to be amethyst was colored glass.
The team highlights the historical context, emphasizing that colored glass should not be dismissed as a fake or inferior material in the past. While glass production began thousands of years ago in the Levant, it remained an exotic material in Viking Age Scandinavia.
Furthermore, the researchers found no traces of gold, which was originally thought to have covered the ring. Instead, they observed the presence of sawdust. The absence of gold and the visible file marks on the ring indicate that the previous description of the ring as gilded was incorrect. Had the surface been gilded and subsequently worn away, the file marks would have disappeared as well. Since the original file marks are still intact, it suggests that the ring was not extensively used.
The researchers propose that the ring may have been transferred from an Arab silversmith to a woman, passing through several owners over time. Additionally, the tomb contained imported coins, including many from Afghanistan. However, these coins exhibited signs of wear and tear from multiple hands along established trade routes, contrasting with the well-preserved state of the ring.
The owner of the ring discovered in Birka was found wearing traditional Scandinavian attire, but due to the degraded state of the bones in the grave, it was impossible for researchers to determine her specific ethnicity.
The researchers suggest that it is plausible that the woman herself or someone closely related to her had visited the Islamic Caliphate or neighboring regions, which extended from Tunisia to the borders of India at the time. However, distinguishing between fact and fiction in ancient texts that describe travels between the Islamic Caliphate and the Viking world can be challenging. Many of these accounts include references to mythical creatures like giants and dragons, further complicating the interpretation of historical events.
The significance of the studied Birka ring lies in its ability to provide supporting evidence for the ancient legends that describe direct contacts between Viking Scandinavia and the Islamic world. These contacts were believed to have facilitated the exchange of goods, culture, ideas, and news more efficiently compared to indirect trade routes involving multiple intermediaries. The ring serves as a tangible artifact that attests to the historical connections and interactions between these two distant regions during that time period.