The Oseberg ship burial

The Viking-age ship burial from Oseberg is the final resting place of two women. In striking contrast to similar monumental graves for men, it was long excluded from the sphere of power politics, a bias that resulted in deficient understanding of Viking-age rulership. The point of departure here is another bias which characterises many studies of Oseberg and other elite burials; the inflated attention given to the monument’s assumed main character, at expense of numerous others lives that such elaborate graves provide glimpses of. In highlighting all these actors, it is argued that joint effort is one of the main themes expressed by Oseberg’s material remains. The ship burial displays a material world crafted by collaboration and a community which was able to raise resources for Viking expeditions. These joint efforts demanded steady leadership, and a leader with ability to attract people. This may be exactly what is commemorated in the burial rituals involving huge partaking crowds: A generous leader who is essential for securing wealth and a good life, in a society where collaborative efforts engendered leadership.