the boat is of a similar size to the Gokstad ship. The identity of the boat's occupant has not yet been confirmed, but experts have speculated that it may have belonged to a king or queen. By July 2021, archaeologists had exposed the keel of the ship and discovered the remains of a Viking axe. As of December 2021, exploratory excavations and metal detecting surveys in the surrounding area have revealed the existence of a Viking longhouse, a feasting hall, a Norse pagan ritual site, and metal artefacts including an Arabic dirham and three belt buckles. By December 2022, the archaeological team had completed the excavations. The remains of the keel will be preserved with water-soluble wax. Although most of the wood had disintegrated, the surviving nails will be used to create a 3d reconstruction of the boat. Objects of particular interest included a large amber bead, a spindle whorl, a bracelet, horse and cattle bones, human remains, a comb, a whetstone, fragments of a chest, and two Viking axe heads. The soil from the excavation will be X-rayed and CT scanned before being sifted. The Viken and Halden municipalities intend to open a visitor centre at Gjellestad for viewing the outline of the ship. Meanwhile, the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research has begun a research project called Viking Nativity to investigate the land surrounding the Gjellestad ship burial. See also Norges kirker – church building documentation project affiliated with the institute Engagement, Sustainability and Diversity: examining recent heritage policy in Norway References External links Official website Research institutes in Norway Education in Oslo Independent research institutes Multidisciplinary research institutes Archaeological research institutes