Spear/lance

Burial from Veien - cremation grave from the Roman Iron Age
c.0-400CE

At Veien, seven graves have been identified as weapon burials, all of which are interpreted as male graves. Although the number of weapon burials is not extensive, it indicates that weapons were a common element, and that warrior culture played a significant role in society.   

At Veien, the dead were most often buried with one or two spears/lances and a shield. In two of the graves, only remnants of shields were found, lacking a complete set of weapons. The weapons unearthed at Veien appear to have been intended for warfare rather than hunting. However, the precise length of the spears remains unknown, making it challenging to determine if they were used as short javelins or long thrusting lances. 

It is also unclear whether the weapons were part of the deceased's daily life or if they were included in the burial as symbols of a warrior ideal, orchestrated by the family as part of the burial ritual.