Rare Medieval Gold Ring Discovered in Norway’s Oldest City – A Dream Find in Tønsberg

Archaeologists from the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) unearthed a stunning medieval gold ring in the historic center of Tønsberg, Norway’s oldest town. They found the artifact just 7 cm below the modern street surface during infrastructure works, and its exquisite craftsmanship has left experts in awe.

The Moment of Discovery: The Archaeologist’s Shock Reaction

Archaeologist Linda Åsheim spotted the gleaming object while working alone. “‘S***, is that gold?’ was my first thought,” she said. “I was completely shaken and asked the construction workers if they were playing a joke on me.” She even briefly thought someone had planted it. Now she jokes that she might have to quit archaeology because “I’ve reached the top.”

Craftsmanship and Materials: Filigree, Granulation, and Blue Glass

High-purity gold forms the ring, which features intricate filigree — thin gold wires twisted into elegant spirals — and delicate granulation made from tiny soldered gold beads. At its center sits a large oval inlay of deep blue material. At first, experts thought it was a sapphire, but analysis revealed high-quality colored blue glass. Medieval artisans used this technique to create a luxurious look at lower cost, showing strong Byzantine and Carolingian influences.

Radiocarbon dating of a spruce twig from the layer above dates the ring to 1167–1269 CE, firmly placing it in the medieval period (likely 9th–11th centuries). Norway’s national artifact database Unimus records only about 220 gold rings total, with just 63 from the Middle Ages — making this discovery exceptionally rare. The last similar gold ring in Tønsberg appeared 15 years ago.

Who Owned It? Status Symbol and Protective Amulet

Experts believe a high-status noblewoman owned the small, ornate ring, possibly someone connected to the nearby royal castle of Tunsberghus. In the Middle Ages, people used such jewelry for multiple purposes:

• As a visible symbol of wealth and social rank
• As a protective amulet: deep blue (whether real sapphire or glass) protected chastity, promoted healing, cooled inner heat, and offered divine protection
• To connect with religious symbolism — blue often represented the Virgin Mary and purity

Excavation Context: Infrastructure Meets Medieval History

NIKU archaeologists found the ring during two seasons of excavations in Tønsberg’s protected historic core (Prestegaten, Storgaten, and nearby streets). The team monitored all ground work as part of upgrading the stormwater drainage system to prevent flooding and sewage issues. Project manager Hanne Ekstrøm Jordahl called it a “fantastically beautiful and rare specimen.”

Why This Find Matters for Medieval History

This medieval gold ring gives fresh insights into:

• Jewelry techniques and continental influences in Viking Age and medieval Norway
• Elite life near royal centers like Tunsberghus
• Folk beliefs, magic, and amulets in everyday medieval society
• Economic ingenuity — the clever use of glass to imitate gems

The ring will soon join Norway’s national collections and ranks among the top archaeological discoveries of recent years.

Sources: NIKU official statement, Popular Mechanics, Live Science, Archaeology Magazine, HeritageDaily. Article updated: February 2026.