Seven silver jewels dating from the 9th centurye century were discovered near Aarhus in the west of the country by an archaeology student.
Seven rare Viking-era silver bracelets, evidence of Scandinavia’s rich ties with the rest of the world, have been discovered in western Denmark, a museum in Aarhus announced Monday, where they are on display. “This is the first time we have found a treasure of this type so close to Aarhus, it is both exceptional and very interesting”and this to AFP Kasper Andersen, historian at the Moesgaard Museum.
Dating back to the 9th century, jewelry was used for display but also as currency, each one being made to a fixed weight standard. “This allows us to better understand how the Vikings of this part of Scandinavia operated in a global world, from Western Asia to the North Atlantic.”the historian said.
Using a metal detector
One of the bracelets, a spiral, is a piece inspired by Russian or Ukrainian models, while similar bangles have been found in Ireland, explained Kasper Andersen. “We already knew about these types of rings, but these are ancient specimens, which connect Scandinavia, and particularly Aarhus, to the East and the West.”he stressed.
It was an archaeology student armed with a metal detector who made the discovery in the spring. Gustav Bruunsgaard, 22, first found a bracelet at a site north of Aarhus, the country’s second city, before returning a few days later to discover six more bracelets.
“We did a local excavation at the site where they were found, but we didn’t discover any other artifacts, so we assume someone buried them to hide them and never retrieved them.”a conclu Kasper Andersen.