Journey into the mystical forests of Scandinavia where Expedition Unknown's Josh Gates embarked on one of archaeology's most intriguing quests - the search for Viking king Harald Bluetooth's lost tomb. This legendary 10th-century ruler, who united Denmark and Norway while converting to Christianity, left behind tantalizing clues including mysterious golden artifacts that may lead to his final resting place and untold treasures.
Scandinavia is a subregion of northern Europe most commonly comprising Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, covering varied geography from Norwegian fjords and the Scandinavian mountains to Denmark's low plains and coastal archipelagos. The region is home to dense forests, cold northern climates with long winters, and more temperate southern areas where most of the population resides. Josh Gates investigated Scandinavia's forested landscapes while searching for the lost tomb of Harald Bluetooth, a 10th-century Viking king who united Denmark and Norway and converted to Christianity. The episode focused on clues from a mysterious gold artifact that may point to the burial location of one of the Viking Age's most influential rulers.
Beginning of the Viking Age, during which Scandinavian peoples raided, explored, and colonized throughout Europe
Harald Bluetooth becomes King of Denmark, later uniting parts of Norway and converting to Christianity
Harald Bluetooth commissions the Jelling stones, marking the birth of Denmark as a Christian nation
Formation of the Kalmar Union, uniting Denmark, Norway, and Sweden under a single monarch
Dissolution of the union between Sweden and Norway, the most recent Scandinavian political union
Expedition Unknown investigates Scandinavian forests for Harald Bluetooth's lost tomb
Harald Bluetooth Gormsson ruled Denmark in the 10th century and is credited by historians with uniting Denmark and parts of Norway into a single kingdom. His conversion to Christianity and commissioning of the Jelling stones—massive runestones that proclaim Denmark's Christianization—mark a pivotal transition from the pagan Viking Age to medieval Scandinavia. The Jelling stones are considered Denmark's "birth certificate" by Danish historians and remain one of the most significant Viking Age monuments. Despite Harald's historical importance, the location of his burial remains unknown, making it one of Scandinavian archaeology's enduring mysteries.
The discovery of a gold artifact potentially linked to Harald Bluetooth has sparked renewed interest among archaeologists studying the Viking Age. Experts in Viking burial practices note that kings of Harald's stature would have been interred with significant grave goods, possibly including weapons, jewelry, and other treasures befitting their status. However, the Viking Age saw considerable tomb raiding even in medieval times, and many royal burials were disturbed or lost to history. Without written records specifying Harald's burial location, researchers must rely on artifacts, runestone inscriptions, and archaeological surveys of likely sites.
The episode's investigation into Harald Bluetooth's tomb represents the type of historical detective work that characterizes modern Viking archaeology. Scandinavian forests and landscapes have yielded numerous Viking Age finds over the centuries, but royal tombs remain exceptionally rare. Gates' search through forested areas follows archaeological methodology of examining landscape features, historical records, and artifact provenance to narrow down possible locations. Whether the gold artifact proves to be a genuine clue to Harald's resting place remains an open question requiring further expert analysis and archaeological validation.
Scandinavian archaeology continues to reveal new insights into the Viking Age through both planned excavations and chance discoveries. The region's long winters, remote forests, and relatively sparse medieval documentation mean that significant sites may remain hidden. Gates' investigation highlights both the excitement of following new leads and the rigorous evidence required to confirm historical claims about royal Viking burials.
During the Viking Age, Scandinavian explorers became the first Europeans to reach North America, centuries before Columbus
The modern Bluetooth wireless technology is named after Harald Bluetooth, with the Bluetooth symbol combining the runic initials of his name
The Scandinavian mountains cover parts of Norway and Sweden, while Denmark consists primarily of low, flat terrain and coastal islands
The North Sea Empire established during the Viking Age included large parts of Scandinavia and Great Britain, though it was relatively short-lived
Scandinavia is highly accessible to visitors, with Denmark, Norway, and Sweden all offering well-developed tourism infrastructure and English widely spoken. The specific forested investigation sites from Gates' search for Harald Bluetooth's tomb are not publicly identified tourist destinations, but the region offers numerous Viking Age historical sites including the Jelling stones in Denmark, Viking ship museums in Oslo and Roskilde, and archaeological parks throughout the region. Visitors should note that northern Scandinavia experiences extreme seasonal variation with very short winter days and midnight sun in summer.
The investigation spanned multiple Scandinavian locations; major gateway cities include Copenhagen, Denmark; Oslo, Norway; and Stockholm, Sweden, all offering international airports and tourist services.
Late spring through early autumn (May to September) offers the most accessible conditions for exploring Scandinavian forests and outdoor sites, with longer daylight hours and milder temperatures. Winter visits are feasible in southern Scandinavia but northern areas experience harsh conditions with limited daylight from November through February.
Denmark
Denmark is home to the Jelling stones commissioned by Harald Bluetooth and represents the heart of his kingdom where his tomb may be located
Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands were part of the Viking Age sphere of influence and share Norse historical connections with Scandinavia
England
England was extensively raided and settled by Scandinavian Vikings during the Viking Age and became part of the North Sea Empire
Best time to visit: Visit during late spring through early autumn (May-September) when the forests are accessible and weather conditions are ideal for outdoor exploration.
Travel tip: Bring sturdy hiking boots and layers of clothing as Scandinavian forest terrain can be challenging and weather unpredictable, even in summer months.
Historical data sourced from Wikipedia