A homeowner preparing the yard for a new patio recently made an incredible find — and it's been declared the largest known Viking Age silver hoard ever discovered in Denmark.Officials from North Jutland Museums in northern Denmark announced the discovery on Aug.31.The hoard was discovered by a private citizen who was preparing the ground for a new tiled terrace, according to a statement from the museum.MYSTERIOUS 3,000-YEAR-OLD HOARD WITH VIOLENTLY SMASHED SWORD EMERGES DURING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTThe homeowner, who wished to remain anonymous, called the discovery "the biggest surprise of my life" after stumbling upon the hoard while doing yardwork."It should have been just a few hours of hard gardening to remove stubborn grass, stones and gravel in relation to a new tiled terrace," the person said.A homeowner preparing the ground for a new tiled terrace discovered Denmark's largest known Viking Age silver hoard.
(Nordjyske Museer)About half an hour into the work, the homeowner struck "something that made a strange sound."The person added, "At first I thought it was old iron or fence wire as well as some potsherds, but when I started digging with my hands, I could suddenly fish one metal object after another out of the ground."ANCIENT VIKING SWORD DISCOVERED 'STICKING UP OUT OF THE GROUND' AFTER 1,300 YEARSThe individual said that "after a short time of careful work, it dawned on me that it was jewelry, coins and silver bars."The hoard, which was buried in a clay vessel, is believed to date to the 10th century.It contains around 700 objects and fragments, including silver ingots, bracelets, coins, a small Thor's hammer and various pieces of cut silver.The newly discovered hoard is believed to date to the 10th century and was originally buried in a clay vessel.
A depiction of the Viking Age is seen at left.(Nordjyske Museer)It's Denmark's largest known Viking Age silver hoard, according to North Jutland Museums.The find eclipses the previous record holder — a r...