Viking swords, knives and horse harnesses dating to the year 800 were discovered for sale on a Web site run by a Michigan auction house, and an archaeologist said Thursday he has asked the Swedish government to help return them.

Christian Runeby, who oversees the collection and preservation of antiquities on the Baltic sea island of Gotland, said the items were removed from Sweden and taken to the United States.

"We can only regret that they are there. It's like ripping out a page from a history book that can never be replaced," Runeby said, adding that no permits were issued for their removal ... TheState.com