Archaeologists discover ancient Viking clothes bearing the name of Allah

Analysis of the garments revealed the presence of Arabic script invoking Allah
Annika Larsson
Martin Coulter12 October 2017

Researchers in Sweden have discovered Arabic characters woven into the fabric of ancient Viking burial costumes.

The clothes, kept in storage for more than 100 years, contain a pattern originally dismissed as an ordinary Viking Age decoration.

But a re-examination by archaeologist Annika Larsson, of Uppsala University found the patterns spell the words "Allah" and "Ali".

Ms. Larsson made her discovery by enlarging the characters and examining them from all angles, including from behind.

The findings raise fascinating questions surrounding the origin and faith of the grave's occupants.

She said: "I couldn't quite make sense of them and then I remembered where I had seen similar designs - in Spain, on Moorish textiles. I suddenly realised that the word 'Allah' had been written in mirrored lettering [opposite 'Ali'].

"The possibility that some of those in the graves were Muslim cannot be completely ruled out. DNA analysis has shown some of the people buried originated from places like Persia, where Islam was very dominant.

Larsson realised some of the text had been written backwards

"However, it is more likely these findings show that Viking age burial customs were influenced by Islamic ideas such as eternal life in paradise after death."

Two years ago, Swedish researchers found a silver ring buried in a female Viking tomb, bearing the phrase "for Allah".

But Larsson's discovery is the first time historic items mentioning Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad and an important figure in the history of Islam, have been found in the area.

Ms Larsson's prior research has uncovered widespread use of silk during the Viking age in Scandinavia. The cloth is thought to have come from ancient Persia and Central Asia.

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