A discovery of around 1500 years old gold inspires researchers in Denmark. It is one of the largest, most valuable and most beautiful gold treasures in Danish history, announced the Vejle Museum Association on Sunday.
The amateur archaeologist Ole Ginnerup Schytz discovered the 22 pieces, which presumably date from the 5th century and have a total weight of 945 grams, with the help of a metal detector. The site is near Jelling, which was once considered to be an important center of the country and an important archaeological site.
The find consists mainly of finely decorated medallions. There are also some Roman coins that were made into jewelry. Some pieces have motifs and runic inscriptions that could point to the rulers of the time, but make reference to Norse mythology. The treasure is to be exhibited in Vejle from February 3, 2022.
The size, quality and workmanship are exceptional
Expert Morten Axboe compares the meaning of the artifacts with the so-called gold horns from Gallehus, two drinking horns that are among the most famous objects in Danish history. His colleague Peter Vang Petersen from the National Museum in Copenhagen spoke of a “dream find”. The size, quality and workmanship are exceptional.
The museum association emphasized: “The fascinating journey of gold tells us a lot about the European continent, which was already closely linked by trade and war in the Iron Age.” The Iron Age in Denmark refers to the years from 500 BC to the beginning of the Viking Age around 775 AD. (SDA)