The main purpose of a chest or casket was secure storage for a range of items including personal belongings and furniture for the larger versions. It has been speculated that the Viking’s used their chests to sit on while rowing their Longboats.

In the following table are some examples of what was found in some extant chests and caskets. Most were found in burials, in a number of the case the chests themselves contained the mortal remains. The Mästermyr chest was a stray find in what was a bog in Viking times. Whereas, the Hedeby chest was found in the harbour weighted down with a stone, so presumably some one stole it and then dumped it in the harbour to avoid discovery.

Chest or casket Contents:

Coffin Chests (Various): The dear departed.

Oseberg No. 149: Two lamps, a comb and pair of scissors.

Oseberg No. 156: Some hide, cloth and two combs.

Oseberg No. 178: Wild apples.

Mästermyr Chest Tools (wood and metal working tools). See Mästermyr Image Library

Swallowcliffe Down Casket: A bronze spherical container with ring ended handle, a spoon, five safety pins, on amber and one glass bead, and pair of knives.

Hedeby Chest: A stone.

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