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Nóregr's District of
Ostfold
District Leader:
Position is currently vacant
 Østfold is located between Olso Fjord and Sweden. Østfold is rich with culture. Traces of a population go back 10,000 years with rock drawings from the Bronze Age and burial places from the Iron Age. Ostfold was partly under Swedish rule until the time of Harald Fairhair. This area of Norway in the eighth century had direct sea connections with Merovingian France, as numerous grave-goods show. Østfold seems to have had a virile and active population. That the Vikings in Ireland were mainly Norwegians is proved beyond question by the written sources, but even if such proof were lacking the evidence of place names and archaeology would establish that conclusion. Ninth- and tenth-century graves in particulary in Østfold contain many objects and jewels of Irish origin.    Two longhouses estimated to be about 2000 years old were found during excavations near Ostfold and a rock bears a magnificent helleristning or ancient rock carving. Here a royal longship can be seen. For the first time archeologists in Norway have been able to reveal a large surface area linked to known helleristninger - rock carvings - and the dig has produced results. Traces of two 12-15 meter (39-49 foot) long constructions have come to light in the middle of the key area for rock engravings in Østfold County, near Solbergkrysset in Skjeberg. A few meters to the side of the longhouses lies a large stone bearing carved drawings of a great ship and a rider on a horse. Previous digs had revealed the precense of a dwelling from a posthole. But the find of two fine longhouses is much more than archaeologists could have dared to predict. The houses were probably built during the Roman iron age, in the first few centuries AD. In one of the houses were found an iron knife, ceramics and burnt animal bone, and the remains of a ritual burial of sacrifices to protect the house and its inhabitants. Six pairs of holes for supporting posts and two fireplaces, plus a cooking hollow just outside a house, have been found. The archeologists believe the rock carvings came first, possibly around 500 BC or earlier. The ship has a fine, rich style and indicates many rowers. The carving of a man on horseback is probably newer, and may be contemporary with the houses.  Resourses: Ostfold Wikipedia Aftenposten Norway Rock Art Pictures Ostfold Rock Drawings Ostfold Picture from North Sea Trail.Org 
Catharina Grafeldr
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