Latest news with #BirteAnspach
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Metal Detectorist Finds Viking Hoard With Link to Norse God
In Germany, a metal detectorist has unearthed a 1,000-year-old Viking hoard which contains more than 200 artifacts, including what may be the remnants of Thor's hammer, Live Science reported. The cache, discovered by Arjen Spießwinkel in the northern city of Haithabu, contained an assortment of items from across Europe, including pure metal ingots, Arabic and silver coins, and a whetstone for sharpening weapons and tools. But the pièce de résistance was a pendant which scientists believe could be a cross, or 'an unfinished Thor's hammer.' Birte Anspach, a spokesperson for the State Archaeological Office of Schleswig-Holstein, said that if the item does prove to be a cross, it could be "an early sign of the onset of Christianisation" in the area. Haithabu was a port city and an influential trade hub during the Viking Age, and Christianity began to spread around the ninth century when St. Ansgar, then Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen, came to the community. "However, it was not the case that Ansgar came and suddenly everyone turned away from the old gods and followed the Christian faith," Anspach explained. "Christianisation was a long process that spanned several generations."But the mysterious item could also be an unfinished Thor's hammer, as it was common prior to the spread of Christianity to wear pendants which symbolized ancient Norse gods. In mythology, the hammer, Mjölnir, was used by Thor to battle giant deities. Researchers will conduct further analyses to determine what exactly the pendant is, as well as where and when it was constructed. "These finds offer fascinating insights into the history of the 10th century—a time of intensive trade, cultural exchange and religious change," Anspach said. "It is therefore not surprising to discover a hoard near the Schlei. Whether it is actually a hidden depot or whether there was a settlement nearby cannot be said for certain at this stage." Metal Detectorist Finds Viking Hoard With Link to Norse God first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 18, 2025
NDTV
16-06-2025
- General
- NDTV
1,000-Year-Old Viking-Era Artefact Could Be Thor's Hammer In Making
Archaeologists in northern Germany have uncovered a significant Viking-era hoard dating back to the Early Middle Ages. The discovery was made by the Schleswig-Holstein State Archaeological Office (ALSH) in collaboration with the Schleswig-Holstein Detector Group. The artefacts were found near the banks of the Schlei River, close to Haithabu (also known as Hedeby), a major maritime trading centre in northern Europe from the 9th to the mid-11th century. The hoard includes around 200 silver objects - hack silver, Arab coin fragments (dirhams), ingots, and jewellery - shedding new light on the region's trading networks and cultural exchanges. Among the most intriguing finds is a finely crafted filigree pendant. Archaeologists believe it could be either a Christian cross or an unfinished Thor's hammer - two powerful symbols representing competing belief systems during the Viking Age. "If it is a cross, it may be one of the earliest signs of Christianisation in the region," said Birte Anspach, spokesperson for the State Archaeological Office. She noted the find may be linked to the missionary journeys of St Ansgar, who travelled to the area in the 9th century. However, Anspach added that conversion was gradual. "Ansgar didn't arrive and suddenly everyone turned away from the old gods. Christianisation was a long process, taking generations. Most people around Haithabu remained pagan for the next century." A metal detectorist in Germany uncovered a Viking Age hoard near Haithabu, featuring around 200 treasures, including Arabic coins and a pendant possibly symbolizing early Christianisation or Thor's hammer. Insights reveal cultural exchanges in the 10th century. — Nyra Kraal (@NyraKraal) June 14, 2025 Interestingly, the pendant's eyelet is on the longer arm - suggesting it would hang upside down if it were a cross, possibly indicating it was meant to be a Thor's hammer instead. Thor's Hammer And Its Connection To Norse Mythology In Norse mythology, Thor's hammer - Mjolnir - was said to possess divine powers. Forged by dwarves, it was wielded by the god Thor in his battles against giants and remains a potent symbol of Norse paganism.
