Archaeology student discovers Viking Age silver treasure in Denmark

A 22-year-old archaeology student from Aarhus University, Gustav Bruunsgaard, unearthed a significant Viking Age silver hoard in a field near Elsted, Denmark, earlier this year.

Archaeology student discovers Viking Age silver treasure in Denmark7 silver arm rings dating to the Viking era, unearthed by college student in Denmark. Credit: Moesgaard Museum

This discovery, consisting of seven intricately designed silver arm rings, was made during a metal detector survey in a field where traces of a Viking Age settlement had previously been identified. Bruunsgaard initially uncovered a single silver bangle, which led him to return to the site, ultimately unearthing six more similar artifacts. The hoard has been dated to around 800 CE, placing it within the early Viking Age, a period known for its extensive trade networks and cultural exchanges across Europe and Asia.

The total weight of the silver hoard exceeds half a kilogram (approximately 1.1 pounds). The bracelets are believed to have been used as “hacksilver,” a form of currency common during this time. Hacksilver was typically adapted to a standardized weight system and used not only as a means of payment but also to demonstrate the wealth and social standing of its owner.

Of the seven arm rings, the majority were likely produced by artisans in Southern Scandinavia, with three of the band-shaped bangles featuring an “X” rune symbol, which is thought to represent generosity or gifting. Such symbolic stamping is rare, though examples have been found in other parts of Scandinavia and the British Isles.

Notably, one coiled arm ring in the collection is of a style that originated from Viking settlements in what are now Russia and Ukraine. Kasper H. Andersen, a historian at Moesgaard Museum stated: “The Elsted farm treasure is a fantastically interesting find from the Viking Age, which connects Aarhus with Russia and Ukraine in the east and the British Isles in the west. In this way, the find emphasizes how Aarhus was a central hub in the Viking world, which went all the way from the North Atlantic to Asia.”

Aarhus, where the hoard was discovered, was a burgeoning harbor settlement at the time, strategically located at the mouth of the Aarhus River. Its position on key sea routes made it an important trading center, facilitating the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas across vast distances.

This discovery is particularly significant as it adds to the understanding of the Viking Age as a period of global connectivity, where trade routes extended from the Islamic world to the far reaches of Afro-Eurasia. Previous studies, including those of similar artifacts like a silver ring found in Sweden, have suggested close contact between Scandinavians and the Islamic world during the 9th century.

Currently, the silver arm rings are on display at the Moesgaard Museum, where they have been described as a “spectacular silver treasure.” Following the temporary exhibition, the artifacts will be transferred to the National Museum of Denmark for permanent display.

As per Danish law, archaeological finds of historical significance, particularly those made of precious metals, are considered state property. The finder, in this case, Bruunsgaard, will be compensated based on the value, rarity, and historical significance of the hoard.

Moesgaard Museum

Related Posts

Archaeologists unearth mᴀssive ancient Roman water basin in Gabii, Italy

Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a mᴀssive stone-lined basin in the ancient Roman city of Gabii, situated about eleven miles east of Rome. The structure, partially…

5,000-year-old ceremonial site unearthed in Jordan reveals how ancient societies adapted to crisis

5,000-year-old ceremonial site unearthed in Jordan reveals how ancient societies adapted to crisis

Archaeologists from the University of Copenhagen have uncovered a vast Early Bronze Age ritual landscape at Murayghat in central Jordan, offering fresh insights into how early communities…

Human-faced stone idol and vast cremation cemetery unearthed at ancient Urartian city of Argištiḫinili in Armenia

Human-faced stone idol and vast cremation cemetery unearthed at ancient Urartian city of Argištiḫinili in Armenia

Archaeologists excavating at the ancient fortress city of Argištiḫinili in Armenia have uncovered two thrilling discoveries—a carved stone idol with human features and a vast urnfield cemetery—providing…

Submerged Maya salt-making compound in Belize reveals the lives of ancient salt producers

Submerged Maya salt-making compound in Belize reveals the lives of ancient salt producers

Archaeologists have uncovered a well-preserved Late Classic Maya household complex buried on the Punta Ycacos Lagoon seafloor in southern Belize, offering an entirely new look at how…

Hidden shine of the Peebles Hoard: Bronze Age treasures reveal a 3,000-year-old silvery secret

Hidden shine of the Peebles Hoard: Bronze Age treasures reveal a 3,000-year-old silvery secret

Conservation work on one of Scotland’s greatest archaeological finds has uncovered an unexpected secret: Bronze Age artifacts with a silvery sheen from an age when silver itself…

Ancient stone megastructures reveal Europe’s earliest large-scale prehistoric hunting system

Ancient stone megastructures reveal Europe’s earliest large-scale prehistoric hunting system

Airborne laser scanning over the Karst Plateau, on the border between Slovenia and Italy, has revealed a network of prehistoric stone constructions unparalleled in Europe. Published in…