‘Allah’, ‘Ali’ engraved in Vikings burial costumes

Stockholm : Burial costumes from Viking boat graves have provided more evidence of contact between Nordic tribes and ancient Islam.

A study of the garments, found in 9th and 10th century graves, has revealed the presence of Arabic script invoking Allah.

The presence of Islamic artefacts at Viking sites was once explained as evidence of looting and trade, but new finds continue to reveal closer links between the cultures.

Researchers believe the latest discovery points to similarities between the Viking and Muslim view of the
afterlife.

Experts from Uppsala University in Sweden made the discovery after working to recreate textile patterns found in Viking woven bands.