New excavations at the Viking Age trading hub of Birka, Sweden, have recovered several exceptionally well-preserved broom-heads bound with ornate iron bands. Found in a layer dating to the late 9th century, these objects show no signs of practical wear, leading archaeologists to classify them as ceremonial implements.
The discovery provides the first physical evidence for spring-cleaning rituals intended to ward off spirits of the long winter. Analysis of the bristles identified remains of juniper and rowan, plants historically used for purification. This suggests that the roots of modern Scandinavian spring traditions were firmly established during the height of the Viking era.