Bootkammergrab von Haithabu

The Bootkammergrab von Haithabu is a Viking Age burial site featuring a wooden vessel approximately 16 meters long that served as the grave chamber. The boat was divided into sections and held weapons, jewelry, pottery, bronze and glass vessels, along with the remains of three people and several horses.

The burial site dates to the late 9th or early 10th century and was discovered through archaeological excavations in 1908. The discovery provided insight into Viking Age burial practices and the importance of ship graves in their culture.

The burial reveals how Vikings honored their dead and the importance they placed on seafaring and trade networks. The grave goods, ranging from bronze and glass to decorated weapons, show connections to distant cultures and the wealth of this community.

The site is easily accessible via marked paths and located near the Haithabu Viking Museum. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes as the ground is uneven and can be slippery in wet conditions.

Unlike typical Nordic ship graves where the boat stands over the burial chamber, this vessel was inverted and covered the deceased from above. This unusual construction method makes it a rare example of regional variations in Viking Age burial customs.