Ep 10. Lost Viking Army

In the NOVA season 48 episode 10 titled Lost Viking Army, viewers are taken on a journey through time to explore a fascinating historical mystery. The episode centers around the discovery of a mass grave in a field in Derbyshire, England, where over 250 bodies were found buried in a pit for over 1,000 years.

The bones in the grave had remained hidden underground for centuries, but archaeological analysis revealed that the remains belonged to a group of Viking warriors who had been slaughtered in battle. The discovery left archaeologists and historians puzzled - how had a Viking army ended up so far inland in England? And why were they so brutally attacked and buried in a mass grave?

To solve this mystery, the NOVA team took a multi-disciplinary approach, gathering evidence from a range of sources. They conducted forensic analysis on the bones, using cutting-edge techniques to reveal details about the lives and deaths of the fallen warriors. They also delved into historical records to uncover clues about the wider historical context of the Viking presence in England at the time.

As the investigation unfolded, the team uncovered a complex web of political intrigue and power struggles at the heart of the Viking presence in England. They discovered that the warriors buried in the mass grave were part of a rebel army that had been fighting against the King of England, seeking to take control of the region and establish their own rule.

Piecing together evidence from a range of sources, the NOVA team revealed the shocking truth behind the fate of the Viking warriors. They showed how the rebels had been lured into a trap by their English enemies, who had promised peace negotiations but instead set a deadly ambush. The NOVA team details how the Viking army was surrounded and slaughtered, with many of the warriors dying fighting on their swords. The remaining survivors were all mercilessly executed, with their bodies thrown into a pit and buried en masse.

Ultimately, the NOVA team's investigation into the Lost Viking Army offers a fascinating look into a key moment in Anglo-Saxon history, shedding light on the complex political and military struggles of the era. Through the use of cutting-edge forensic science, this episode brings to life the story of these Viking warriors, who fought and died far from their Scandinavian homeland in pursuit of power and glory.