Did the Scandinavians already have commercial relations with Islamic countries between the 9th and 10th centuries AD? Practically an impossible hypothesis for the time, but it would explain the discovery of this ancient jewel.

If you lived in Scandinavia and had been exposed to Bengtsson’s “Red Orm” you’d know all about contact between Scandinavia and the rest of the world (including the Eastern Roman Empire, AKA Byzantium)and you’d find this artifact unsurprising. I understand the book is part of the curricula in Denmark, so it is taught in some schools.

I ran across an English translation of it (titled “The Long Ships”) in High School. It’s a cracking good adventure tale. No need to be interested in history to enjoy it — but you may find it develops your interest. It certainly did for me.

Yes, Red Orm was written not so long ago, but it was based both on research and on Snorri Sturluson’s Heimskringla, written in the 1200s, which, like the works of ‘Homer’ are written compilations of verbal traditions, some of which might date back to people recounting what they saw in-person, or got directly from someone who had. (same deal as with ‘Homer’ and the Trojan war)