The large burial site at Egge consists of several graves from the Early and Late Iron Age. The largest stone circle is around 30 meters in diameter. This would have required considerable resources, which tells us that it was built for a person of high status. The objects in the tomb suggest that he was a great warrior.

 

The man was cremated on a bear skin and laid to rest in a Roman bronze urn. He was buried with two gold rings and a weapon set including a shield, spear, lance and a Victoria sword decorated with a palm branch and laurel wreath honouring the Roman deity Victoria – goddess of victory. This was a badge of honour from the Roman army. Was he a soldier? Or had the sword simply been bartered or stolen?

 

The mound contained a second man, cremated and placed in a simpler urn made from birch bark. He was also buried with weapons. This was probably an individual of lower rank, sacrificed and buried alongside his master.