Chance Find in Forest Reveals Viking Age Secrets (PHOTO)
A chance discovery in a forest in northern Denmark led to the uncovering of a Viking Age hoard: six gold bracelets weighing more than 762 grams. The hoard, named the Rold Treasure, dates to 900–1000 CE. The artifacts have been declared national heritage of Denmark and will be transferred to the National Museum.
In the vicinity of Rold in northern Denmark, a passerby discovered a Viking Age hoard: six massive gold bracelets with a total weight of more than 762 grams. The find, named the Rold Treasure, was made when a local resident noticed two gold rings protruding from the ground. After handing the find over to the Museums of Northern Jutland, archaeologists using metal detectors found four more bracelets. Specialists date the hoard to between 900 and 1000 CE—the time of King Harald Bluetooth's reign. Unlike common silver ornaments, which were often cut up for use as money, these gold bracelets survived intact, indicating their belonging to the elite. The items feature complex jewelry techniques: rod twisting, fine wire, geometric patterns. The purpose of the cache is debated: perhaps the valuables were hidden from enemies or for ritual purposes. The exact location of the find is kept secret, and the artifacts have been declared national heritage of Denmark and will soon join the collections of the National Museum.