Huge Viking Hoard Discovered in Sweden

A photo shows many of the 472 recently found silver coins that make up Sweden's earliest known Viking hoard. The cache of Middle Eastern coins suggests Vikings were trading extensively overseas earlier than previously believed.

(nationalgeographic) -- Hundreds of ancient coins unearthed last week close to Sweden's main international airport suggests the Vikings were bringing home foreign currency earlier than previously thought, archaeologists say. Buried some 1,150 years ago, the treasure trove is made up mainly of Arabic coins and represents the largest early Viking hoard ever discovered in Sweden.

Archaeologists from the Swedish National Heritage Board unexpectedly found the stash of 472 silver coins while excavating a Bronze Age tomb near Stockholm's Arlanda airport. full story