Vikings: Huge Viking hall uncovered in biggest Viking discovery in a decade

Image source, Nordjyske Museer

Image caption, It might not look like much, but this is one of the biggest Viking finds in more than 10 years

Archaeologists in Denmark have discovered a huge Viking hall thought to date between the 9th and 11th century.

Experts say it's the largest Viking structure to be found in more than 10 years.

The prestigious building is thought to have been built around the time of Danish King Harald Bluetooth's (in Danish, Harald Bl氓tand) rule.

The site in North Jutland has only been partially excavated so far and the team think there may be houses hidden nearby too.

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, King Harald Bluetooth - also known as King Harald Bl氓tand - died in 987

The discovery is up to 40 metres long and around 10 metres wide - that's similar to the size as two tennis courts.

The roof of the massive building is thought to have been supported by around 12 oak posts.

Archaeologists think it was probably used as a place to hold 'political meetings and large Viking guilds'.

They also say it's likely the discovery belonged to the one of the more important and powerful families in North Jutland - the family of Runulv den R氓dsnilde.

The reason they think this is because a rune stone with his name on was previously excavated nearby.

Image source, Nordjyske Museer

Image caption, The Viking rune found nearby

"It is difficult to prove that the found Viking hall belonged to the family of Runulv den R氓dsnilde, but it is certainly a possibility," said excavation leader Thomas Rune Knudsen.

"This is the largest Viking Age find of this nature in more than ten years, and we have not seen anything like it before here in North Jutland, even though it has only been partially excavated." He added.

Bad weather has stopped the team there being able to continue excavating, but they hope to resume once the weather improves.