A bentonite clay facial mask can help remove impurities from pores.Photo Credit clay face mask image by Steve Lovegrove from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
When dead skin cells block oil from flowing freely through the pores, pimples and blackheads can be the result. If you don't have the money for an expensive spa facial, you can do your own at home. Steaming the face is inexpensive, opens the pores, and allows for easier removal of impurities trapped inside. Clay facial masks are sold in pharmacies and beauty supply stores. Prepare your tools and set aside a relaxing hour to deep-clean your face.
Step 1
Boil a pot of water on the stove. Fold a large bath towel and set the pot on your bathroom counter. Put another towel over your head to make a tent, and steam your face for 15 minutes. For acne-prone skin, add a few drops of tea tree oil to the water.
Step 2
Wash your face with a gentle exfoliating cleanser. Massage the cleanser into your skin with your fingertips in a circular motion. Wash and rinse with warm water to keep the pores open.
Step 3
Apply a bentonite clay mask to your entire face and allow it to dry completely. Bentonite is a volcanic ash that acts like a sponge, drawing impurities from your pores. Rinse the mask off with plenty of warm water.
Step 4
Use a blackhead removal tool to squeeze blackheads gently from your skin. Tools can be as simple as a small metal loop or as complex as a suction machine.
Step 5
Splash your skin with cold water to close the pores. Finish with a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid toner for acne-prone skin. Using a toner daily can help dry oil in the pores, keeping them from becoming clogged again.
Heart rate is influenced by factors such as age, temperature and caffeine.Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Overview
A human heart beats approximately 45 million times per year, but this can vary based on factors such as age, gender and physical activity level. According to the American Heart Association, a normal heart rate can range between 50 and 100 beats per minute. However, a resting heart rate under 80 beats per minute is considered optimal. Your heart rate has large variability and can change frequently throughout the day. Here are six primary factors that influence heart rate.
Body Temperature
Body temperature changes your heart rate.Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
When your body temperature changes, so does your heart rate. This is one of the thermoregulatory changes that occur to prevent the body’s core temperature of 98.6 degrees Farhenheit from increasing or decreasing. Heart rate increases when heat is gained by the body such as in hot climates and during exercise in order to transfer more heat away from the body. When the body loses heat such as in cold weather or a cold shower, heart rate decreases to preserve core temperature.
Eating
Eating a meal also increases your heart rate to aid with digestion.Photo Credit Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
After you eat a meal, your heart rate increases to aid with digestion. More blood is directed toward the gastrointestinal tract to process the food. When larger quantities of food are consumed, heart rate may be increased for a longer period of time compared to after eating a small meal or snack. Heart rate can rise above 100 beats per minute, reaching a tachycardic rate due to the effects of eating.
Exercise
Your heart rate rises with exercise.Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
During exercise, your heart rate goes up to facilitate the increased demand for oxygen and carbon dioxide removal to and from the muscles. Heart rate can increase two to three times above resting heart rate depending on the intensity and duration of exercise. Exercising on a regular basis can reduce your resting heart rate and is considered a healthy and beneficial adaptation. Drink water before, during and after exercise to prevent dehydration. Being dehydrated can increase your heart rate and place more stress on the heart.
Age
Age does not significantly change your resting heart rate.Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images
As you age, your resting and daily average heart rate does not change significantly. However, your maximum heart rate decreases as you get older due to the physiological effects of aging, such as telomere shortening and associated deconditioning. Your maximum heart rate can be estimated by subtracting your age from 220.
Gender
Women have higher heart rates than men.Photo Credit Visage/Stockbyte/Getty Images
Women have higher heart rates than men during sleep and when awake. The general consensus for this difference is that women are usually smaller than men and require a faster heart beat to facilitate metabolism. Much of the size difference between men and women is due to women having a less total muscle mass. Because muscle is responsible for much of the body's metabolism, the higher heart rates experienced by women may be a natural compensatory mechanism to turn up the metabolic rate.
Caffeine and Other Drugs
Caffeine found in coffee, tea and sodas is a stimulant that increases heart rate.Photo Credit Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
Found in coffee, teas and sodas, caffeine is a stimulant drug that influences the nervous system to increase heart rate. It mimics the effect of adrenaline, a natural hormone in the body responsible for elevating heart rate. Other stimulants such as cocaine and ephedrine work in a similar manner.
On the other hand, there are specific drugs used in lowering heart rate such as beta- and calcium channel blockers. Beta-blockers work by interfering with the receptors that adrenaline binds to, subsequently decreasing hormonal influence on heart rate. Calcium channel blockers reduce the amount of calcium that enters the heart muscle. Because calcium is needed for muscle to contract, the heart beats at a slower rate when this drug is taken.
A close up of black seeds, used in the production of black seed oil.Photo Credit JensGade/iStock/Getty Images
Hepatitis C virus, otherwise known as HCV, is a condition that induces inflammation of the liver. Although the virus might be acute, or short-term, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 85 percent of individuals are diagnosed with chronic HVC. Black seed oil contains the compound thymoquinone, which might help alleviate symptoms of HCV, as the compound contains anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, advocates of black seed oil say the oil might also help improve liver function, thereby reducing the symptoms associated with HCV, such as jaundice, fatigue and emotional instability. Consult your health care provider before ingesting black seed oil and for other treatment options.
Step 1
Begin treatment of HCV by ingesting 1 tsp. of black seed oil on a daily basis. Slowly increase the dosage to find the upper limit of black seed oil that is appropriate for you. Note that manufacturers recommend restricting your daily intake of black seed oil to about 2 tsp.
Step 2
Swallow the black seed oil by itself or dilute it with your beverage of choice. Do not heat the oil or incorporate the oil into hot beverages or food items as the heat might destroy or alter the chemical compounds of the oil necessary for treating HCV.
Step 3
Record your reactions to the black seed oil. If you don't notice an improvement, slightly increase the dosage, staying within the maximum recommended amount. Individuals sensitive to black seed oil should begin by ingesting a half-teaspoon of black seed oil every other day for the first few weeks before consuming the oil on a daily basis. If you notice an improvement in your condition, maintain the results by ingesting a daily dose of 1 tsp.
Turmeric is promoted as a cancer fighter.Photo Credit Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
You'll see black seed oil, officially known as Nigella sativa, promoted as an antioxidant, a liver protector, an alternative remedy for cancer, an inflammation fighter and an aid in lowering your blood pressure. Many other naturally occurring dietary agents are used for some of the same purposes that black seed oil is marketed for, including curcumin, milk thistle and garlic. Always consult a doctor before adding an herbal remedy to your diet.
Turmeric
Black seed oil has several active ingredients, chief among them the antioxidant thymoquinine, which is considered a possible phyotochemical chemoprotective agent, meaning it might help prevent cancer. Turmeric, also called curcumin, is often promoted for the same purpose. Research suggests that turmeric can destroy certain cancer cells and reduce inflammation, according to "The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide," by George T. Grossberg and Barry Fox. Turmeric also is promoted for preventing Alzheimer's disease and for treating bloating and heartburn. More research is needed, however, before firm conclusions can be drawn about any possible cancer chemoprotective agent, according to Edwina N. Scott, lead author for a 2009 review published in Cancer Prevention Research.
Milk Thistle
Black seed oil has possible protective effects for your liver, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Milk thistle also is believed to promote liver function and have liver-protecting effects. It's frequently used to treat chronic hepatitis, which is liver inflammation, as well as liver cirrhosis, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. While the experts at NCCAM say results from clinical trials of milk thistle have produced mixed results, Germany's Commission E, which is that country's regulatory body for herbs, has approved it for treating liver complaints.
Garlic
Garlic is approved in Germany for treating high blood pressure.Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Garlic is another herb promoted for its anti-inflammatory action, possible cancer protective properties and for its ability to lower blood pressure, all of which are uses black seed oil is marketed for. Early scientific evidence that taking garlic works to lower blood pressure -- if yours is high -- is promising, according to NCCAM. Commission E approves garlic to treat elevated blood pressure. A few studies also indicate that regularly consuming garlic can help cut your risk for cancer, but no clinical trials existed as of 2011, note the experts at NCCAM.
Considerations
Whether you are looking to boost your health, prevent cancer or treat a medical condition by including black seed oil or another dietary agent into your regimen, it's important to realize that such foods can have side effects. For example, turmeric can cause diarrhea and nausea, gallbladder contractions and increase your risk of bleeding and bruising when taken with drugs such as warfarin. Milk thistle can have estrogen-like effects, so you shouldn't use it if you have a hormone sensitive condition such as breast cancer. It also can cause allergic reactions, vomiting or nausea, anorexia and menstrual changes. It also can lower blood sugar levels. Garlic can increase the risk for hypoglycemia when taken with certain drugs, reduce the effectiveness of other drugs and worsen gastrointestinal ailments. Black seed oil, at high doses, has the potential to cause kidney or liver damage. It may interfere with radiation therapy or chemotherapy drugs and may lower your blood pressure too much if taken in combination with drugs designed for fighting high blood pressure. It also may cause contact dermatitis.
Xylitol is a natural sweetening substance found in raspberries and other fruits and vegetables.Photo Credit GooDween123/iStock/Getty Images
Xylitol is a sugarless sweetener that’s gaining popularity as an ingredient in candy, chewing gum and toothpaste. Although xylitol has many potential health benefits, particularly for preventing dental cavities, ingesting large amounts of the sweetener could pose some health risks for children. If you’re concerned about the effects of xylitol consumption on your child’s health, consult your child’s doctor.
Description
Xylitol is a sweet, sugar-like substance derived from raspberries, plums and strawberries, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Xylitol is also found in certain vegetables, wood chips, straw and corncobs. The substance is a form of xylose, which is a compound that’s often used as an alternative to sucrose, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Xylitol is used as an ingredient in gum and toothpaste, thanks to its antibacterial properties.
Uses
Xylitol is most commonly used to prevent cavities and tooth decay, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The substance may also help prevent ear infections from Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, and periodontal disease from Streptococcus mutans bacteria. Mainly, xylitol is considered an antibacterial sugar substitute, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. No conclusive scientific evidence supports the use of xylitol to prevent or treat medical or dental problems, so talk with a health care professional before using xylitol for this purpose.
Function
Xylitol appears to inhibit the growth of certain types of bacteria that cause dental cavities, gingivitis and ear infections, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Xylitol is also an effective sweetening agent that doesn’t impact blood sugar levels like other types of sugars, which is why it’s often used to sweeten diabetic-friendly foods, says the University of Michigan Health System. Additionally, xylitol seems to have less impact on insulin levels than other types of sugar.
Dangers
In recommended dosage amounts, xylitol is generally considered safe, says the University of Michigan Health System. Excessive doses of xylitol can cause side effects like intestinal gas and diarrhea. However, if children take doses larger than 30 grams daily, it can cause more severe side effects than in adults, warns the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Monitor your child’s xylitol intake, and talk with his pediatrician if he displays any side effects.
Dosage
To prevent dental cavities, the typical dosage of xylitol is 4.3 to 10 g daily, divided into three or more doses taken after meals, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. To prevent ear infections, you can give your child 10 g of xylitol syrup or 8.4 g of xylitol gum each day in two or three separate doses. In some cases, xylitol doses can range up to 20 g daily for dental cavities and up to 2 g five times daily for ear infections, notes the University of Michigan Health System. In addition to chewing gum and syrups, you can also find xylitol in the form of lozenges. Ask your child’s doctor about the safest dosage before giving your child xylitol.
Close-up of a woman performing a blood sugar test.Photo Credit monkeybusinessimages/iStock/Getty Images
Overview
High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, occurs when the body has too little insulin, or cannot use it properly. Common causes of high blood sugar include overeating, under-exercising and emotional stress. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), hyperglycemia is a major cause of complications for people diabetes. If you experience frequent or extreme symptoms of high blood sugar, seek guidance from your doctor.
Frequent Urination
Frequent urination is a common symptom of high blood sugar. Urinating more frequently or producing greater urine volume than usual, regardless of how much fluid you've consumed, is often a first recognized symptom of diabetes. When blood sugar increases, compounds known as ketones may develop in the body. Urine test strips provide a means of testing ketone levels at home. According to the ADA, exercise can lower blood sugar. However, if you know that your blood sugar is high and your ketone level is high, exercise may further elevate blood sugar. Reducing your food intake may also help manage your blood sugar. If you have not been tested for, or diagnosed with, diabetes and experience on-going frequent urination, discuss your symptoms with your doctor.
Increased Thirst and Hunger
Unexplained increases in thirst and hunger may indicate high blood sugar. According to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC), dry mouth and increased thirst are common first symptoms of ketoacidosis, a condition also known as diabetic coma. Ketoacidosis occurs when the body lacks insulin and cannot utilize glucose as fuel. The body breaks down fats to use as energy, which causes ketone production. Too many ketones cause build-up, the precursor to ketoacidosis. People with diabetes often recognize the symptoms of high blood sugar, such as thirst, before ketoacidosis happens. In severe cases, ketoacidosis can develop quickly. For people who have diabetes without realizing it, symptoms such as hunger and thirst can serve as useful red flags, indicating that doctor's examination and care are needed. Whether or not you have diabetes, discuss unusual thirst and hunger symptoms with your doctor to best preserve your wellness.
Blurry Vision or Lethargy
Blurry vision can occur as a symptom of high blood sugar. According to the UIHC, people with undiagnosed diabetes may also experience fatigue and tiredness. In addition, those undiagnosed may experience unexplained weight loss, nausea or vomiting. People diagnosed and undergoing treatment or management for diabetes, who fail to take medications or eat properly, are likely to experience high blood sugar. Once symptoms of vision or energy changes are observed, the patient will likely follow treatment protocol as designated by his doctor, such as administering insulin injections. If you or a loved one struggles with blood sugar management, discuss your concerns with your doctor. If your symptoms become severe, seek emergency medical care promptly. To further improve your chance of reaping immediate and proper medical care, consider wearing a medical bracelet that indicates crucial information regarding your condition.
Spinach and egg rolls on a white plate.Photo Credit manyakotic/iStock/Getty Images
Meal plans can help you find success in weight loss because you know ahead of time what foods you should eat each day. Following a meal plan will allow you to know how many calories you are consuming on a daily basis, bringing you closer to your weight loss goal. Having a structured eating plan will prevent unwanted overeating and snacking on unhealthy foods.
Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it jump-starts your metabolism, decreases satiety, and can even prevent overeating later in the day. Include protein, whole grains and fruit into the morning meal. Lean protein choices include eggs, low fat yogurt, low fat cheese, peanut butter and even lean bacon. Whole grains should also be consumed in the morning because they will keep you full longer because of their fiber content as well as provide essential nutrients to your meal. Some healthy breakfast choices are two eggs and one piece of whole wheat toast with peanut butter or one serving of whole grain cereal with a 1/2 cup yogurt.
Snacks
Snacks should be consumed two times throughout the day. Five to six small meals a day are recommended. Snack should be balanced with a protein, carbohydrate and healthy fat. Healthy snacks will prevent overeating at main meals. Cheese and 10 whole grain crackers, apples and peanut butter, popcorn, veggies and hummus, cottage cheese and two graham crackers are healthy options.
Lunch
Lunch should be eaten every day whether you pack your lunch or eat out. Sandwiches are a healthy choice when prepared the right way. Choose whole grain bread and a lean meat, like turkey. Load your sandwich with veggies and skip the mayo and opt for mustard. A piece of fruit and cottage cheese round off a healthy meal. Also try making a salad for lunch filling it with greens, chicken, beans, nuts and cheese. Finish your salad with a light dressing and some whole grain crackers on the side.
Dinner
Dinner should be the smallest meal of the day because you have the shortest amount of time to burn it off. A healthy serving of carbohydrates, protein and fat should be in your evening meal. A serving of 1/2 cup rice, 3 oz. chicken and 1 cup cooked vegetables is in balance with the recommended dietary amounts. Another option would be 1/2 cup pasta, 3 oz. salmon and a small side salad.
A small bowl of yogurt with fresh banana slices.Photo Credit nadger/iStock/Getty Images
If you're on a diet to lose weight and you know ahead of time what you're going to eat, then you're already on the road to success. A 10-day meal plan can help with grocery shopping and meal prep. While weight-loss calories vary, a 1,500-calorie meal plan is appropriate for active women and most men. If you're losing too quickly -- more than 2 pounds a week -- add 100 calories to 200 calories to your meal plan, and if you're not losing, subtract 100 calories to 200 calories from your meal plan. Plan to eat three meals containing about the same amount of calories -- 450 calories each -- plus one snack with 150 calories.
Start With a Good Breakfast
Having three or four breakfast meals to choose from on your 10-day meal plan keeps it simple, prevents boredom and allows you to mix and match. Make a quick and healthy breakfast with 1 1/2 cups of unsweetened whole-grain cold cereal with 1 cup of nonfat milk, a large banana and one container of sugar-free nonfat yogurt. On another morning, you might enjoy a toasted whole-wheat English muffin topped with one scrambled egg and 1-ounce of low-fat cheese with a pear. When you're short on time, a smoothie made with 1 1/2 cups of strawberries, a small banana, one large kiwi, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and 1 cup of nonfat milk blended with ice, and served with half a small whole-wheat bagel makes a good option. For those leisurely mornings, two whole-grain waffles topped with 1 cup of sliced strawberries and one small sliced banana with 1 cup of nonfat fat milk makes a healthy and delicious breakfast.
Healthy and Filling Lunch
For balance, include fruits, veggies, grains and lean proteins at each lunch meal. Two cups of mixed greens topped with 1/2 cup of kidney beans, six almonds and 2 tablespoons of low-fat salad dressing, served with 2 cups of chicken noodle soup and a clementine is filling and balanced. For another healthy lunch, toast two 6-inch whole-wheat tortillas and cut into quarters and serve with 1/2 cup of hummus, 1 cup of carrot sticks and a small apple. On another day, try a turkey sandwich with 3 ounces of deli turkey on two slices of whole-grain rye bread with red onions, lettuce and tomatoes, served with 35 grapes and 1 cup of mixed greens with 2 tablespoons of low-fat dressing.
Dinner Done Right
Like lunch, create balanced meals at dinner by including foods from most food groups. Four ounces of broiled salmon with 1 cup of cooked bulgur and 1 cup of steamed carrots makes a nutrient-rich dinner meal. Another healthy dinner for your meal plan includes 1 cup of beef chili with beans, a 2-ounce whole-grain roll and 1/2 cup of steamed broccoli. Three ounces of roasted chicken breast with 1 1/2 cups of roasted red potatoes and 1 cup of green beans sauteed with garlic and 1 teaspoon of olive oil is a simple and classic meal. For a meatless meal, consider 1/2 cup of pureed black beans in a 6-inch whole-wheat tortilla with 1/2 cup of salsa, served with 1/2 cup of brown rice and 1 cup of peppers and onions sauteed in 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
Satisfying Snacks
Snacks not only help control hunger on your diet plan, but also supply essential vitamins and minerals. Healthy snack options for your 10-day diet plan might include 3 cups of air-popped popcorn with 1 cup of nonfat milk; five whole-grain crackers with 1 ounce of low-fat cheese; a container of nonfat sugar-free yogurt with a small nectarine; or 2 cups of mixed greens with 1/4 cup of raisins and 2 tablespoons of low-fat salad dressing.
Stephanie interned as a science writer at Stanford University Medical School, and also interned at ScienceNow magazine and the Santa Cruz Sentinel. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of South Carolina and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
A mysterious purple orb found at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean stumped NOAA scientists onboard the Nautilus research vessel.
Credit: NOAA
"Have a look at that dark purple blob on the left, there."
With those words, scientists aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus uncovered a marine mystery: a small purple orb tucked halfway under a rock off the coast of California.
Researchers are so far stumped as to what the colorful, bumpy little ball might be. Their best guess is that it might be a gastropod (a mollusk such as a snail or slug that belongs to the class Gastropoda) called a pleurobranch — and possibly a new species.
The odd little creature, which unfurled into two lobes once it was brought onboard the ship, is about 2 inches (5 centimeters) across. It was found on July 18, during an E/V Nautilusexploration of Arguello Canyon, west of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
A live video feed captured by cameras on the remotely operated vehicle Hercules shows the muddy ocean floor 5,301 feet (1,616 meters) down, as watching researchers remark on clams and crabs. Suddenly, the purple blob catches the scientists' attention.
"What isthat?" one asks.
"I'm stumped," says another.
The researchers decided to collect the creature with the ROV's suction, briefly fending off a nearby crab. They've since sent the organism to the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology for analysis. They also took samples for RNA analysis and plan to conduct a DNA analysis as well.
"Confirming it's a new species will take considerable months," Poulton said.
Expedition, live
It's relatively unusual for the E/V Nautilusteam to discover a completely new species, Poulton said, though they have found organisms that they suspect are unknown to science; it just takes time to confirm that fact. More often, she said, the Nautilus researchers find organisms in areas where no one previously knew the animals lived. It may be that the purple orb is a known gastropod that simply had never been seen in California waters before, Poulton said.
The E/V Nautilus is operated by the Ocean Exploration Trust, a nonprofit organization that was founded by oceanographer Robert Ballard. Since May, the vessel has been exploring the eastern Pacific Ocean, starting off Canada's Vancouver Island and working southward. Currently, the vessel is off the coast of Los Angeles investigating the Southern California continental margin. The research team broadcasts its activities at http://www.nautiluslive.org/ and issues dive alerts on Twitter.
The live video feeds are a boon to the researchers on board, Poulton said, because scientists around the country tune in and often call their colleagues on the ship, asking them to go back to collect interesting specimens.
"We sort of sail with a science team of hundreds," Poulton said.
Author Bio
By Tom Metcalfe, Live Science Contributor |
One of the largest Dane axes ever found, recovered by archaeologists from a 10th-century Viking tomb near Silkeborg in central Denmark.
Credit: Silkeborg Museum
Archaeologists have discovered one of the largest Viking axes ever found, in the tomb of a 10th-century "power couple" in Denmark.
Kirsten Nellemann Nielsen, an archaeologist at the Silkeborg Museum who is leading excavations at the site near the town of Haarup, said Danish axes like the one found in the tomb were the most feared weapons of the Viking Age.
"It's a bit extraordinary — it's much bigger and heavier than the other axes. It would have had a very long handle, and it took both hands to use it," Nielsen told Live Science. [See Photos of the 10th-Century Viking Tomb]
The simplicity of the mighty ax, without any decorations or inscriptions, suggests this fearsome weapon was not just for show. "It's not very luxurious," she said.
And the man in the tomb was buried with his ax alone. "He didn't have anything else buried with him, so I think you can say he identified himself as a warrior above anything else," Nielsen said.
The ax was one of the artifacts recovered from the Haarup Viking tomb, or dødehus, which means "death house" in Danish. The tomb consisted of a wooden palisade or roofed structure, about 13 feet (4 meters) wide and 43 feet (13 m) long, which was constructed around the two graves.
One of three people found in the tomb was a wealthy Viking woman, who was buried in a wooden cart similar to this reconstruction at Silkeborg Museum.
Credit: Silkeborg Museum
The tomb was built around A.D. 950 for the burial of a man and a woman of evident distinction, Nielsen said. The individuals were identified by their clothing and belongings, and the only human remains that survived the centuries was a single black human hair found in the woman's clothing.
The woman was buried lying in a wooden wagon, which was a tradition for women of noble birth at the time, and a pair of keys found in the tomb indicated that she was one of the leading people in the community, according to the archaeologists.
Keys were a symbol of authority and distinction for women in Denmark and elsewhere in Europe in the Middle Ages, and the tradition likely dated back to an earlier time, Nielsen said. "If you are an important woman, with a lot of fine artifacts with you in the grave, then you also have a key," she said.
One of the keys was for a small wooden casket, bound with iron brackets, that was buried beside her.
"She also had gold and silver threads woven into her clothing, so this is quite fine," Nielsen said.
Viking "power couple"
Nielsen said the man and woman in the tomb may not have been husband and wife, but they were clearly the local "power couple." [Fierce Fighters: 7 Secrets of Viking Seamen]
"The special thing about this tomb is that these two people, each in their own grave, are put inside the same structure," she said. "I can't say it isn't a brother and sister, or it could be [a] husband and wife relationship. But definitely, these two were the ones in charge, the noblest people of the local area."
At some point in time, after the first man and woman were buried, a second man was buried in a grave inside a wooden structure that was added to the original tomb. This man was also buried with his ax, although it was not as large as the ax from the original burial, the researchers said.
Nielsen thinks the second man could have been a relative or successor of the first man. "He was definitely a warrior," she said. "Both men had Dane axes made for fighting, and both were definitely warriors."
The tomb at Haarup was unlike any other Viking tomb in Denmark and the other Viking burials uncovered at the same site, she said.
"This is unique — the only one of its kind that I know of," Nielsen said. "It's a special place."
The woman in the tomb was buried with a decorated ceramic cup that originated in the Baltic region, Nielsen said. Two silver coins of a Middle Eastern type called “dirhams,” thought to be from an area that is now in Afghanistan, were found in the grave of another Viking woman buried nearby.
Nielsen has been working at Haarup since the site was unearthed during the construction of a motorway in 2012. As more construction goes on in the area, more archaeological discoveries are being made, including artifacts from the Iron Age and Danish medieval periods, as well as the Viking 10th century.
"From the Vikings, we have only found their burials — we haven't found their houses yet, so we know them only from their graves," Nielsen said. "They most definitely lived there, but we just haven't found the place yet."
Future archaeological research from Haarup will focus on the four different types of woven cloth found in the graves, the construction of the small casket in the leading woman's grave, and the single black hair found in her clothing — the only human remains that have survived, and potentially a source of DNA that could provide more clues about its owner, Nielsen said.
A report on the discoveries at Haarup, titled "Dead and Buried in the Viking Age," can be read online (in Danish) at Academia.edu.
