The excavations

When restoration work is carried out on old buildings, things often come to light that tell the story of the building, and churches are no exception. In 1978, archaeological research was carried out in connection with restoration work. Over the centuries, many things have found their way down between the floorboards. During the excavation, post holes were found that are believed to be from an older building, most likely also a church. More than 500 coins, parts of buckles, needles and brooches were found. Pearls that may have belonged to jewellery, or perhaps to the rosaries that were part of a life of medieval piety, were also found, as well as pilgrim badges and various other fragments. Some well-preserved tombs also attracted attention. In one lay two children and two adults, without a coffin. Each was wearing clothes that were partially preserved, affording a unique insight into what these people typically wore. An attempt was made to reconstruct one of the items that was found. It is a gugel, a hood that ended in a long, trailing point. This was a fashion item in Europe in the 14th century, and is the only one we know of in Norway. How could it have ended up in Uvdal?