Latest news with #SunChariot
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Sun Chariot: An ornate Bronze Age treasure that may have featured in an ancient Nordic religious ceremony
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Name: Sun Chariot What it is: A bronze and gold leaf diorama of a horse pulling a sun disk Where it is from: Trundholm moor, in Zealand, Denmark When it was made: Circa 1400 B.C. Related: Prosciutto di Portici: A portable sundial that looks like a pork leg — and it was likely owned by Julius Caesar's father-in-law before Mount Vesuvius erupted What it tells us about the past: Three centuries after horse-drawn chariots were introduced to Scandinavia, a Bronze Age artisan crafted the Sun Chariot, a stunningly detailed object that may represent an ancient mythological scene or even a rare calendar. The Sun Chariot was discovered in 1902 by a peat farmer who was working on the Trundholm moor in Denmark, about 42 miles (67 kilometers) northwest of Copenhagen. It was found in numerous pieces and has since been reconstructed by experts at the National Museum of Denmark, where it is on display. Taken as a whole, the bronze object is about 21 inches (54 centimeters) long and 14 inches (35 cm) tall. The large disk is covered in a thin layer of gold on one side and decorated with spirals, which are commonly found on Nordic Bronze Age artifacts, according to Flemming Kaul, curator of the prehistory collections at the National Museum. Kaul has interpreted the artifact as representing a prehistoric Bronze Age idea of the voyage of the sun, as the divine horse pulls the sun across the heavens from east to west during the day and into the underworld at night. Spirals on the disk and the use of wheels may indicate the sun's constant journey, and the object may have been used by ancient priests to demonstrate the astronomical myth. MORE ASTONISHING ARTIFACTS —Ram in the Thicket: A 4,500-year-old gold statue from the royal cemetery at Ur —Oseberg tapestry: Viking Age artwork from a boat burial that may depict the Norse tree of life —Hatnefer's heart scarab: An exquisite ancient Egyptian gold necklace inscribed with the Book of the Dead An alternative interpretation of the disk is that it represents a prehistoric calendar. In a 2006 study, Danish archaeologist Klavs Randsborg argued that there was an interesting mathematical pattern in the concentric circles on the disk, and he pointed out that the total number of ornamental designs on the gilded side of the sun is 52, or the number of weeks in a year. And a 2008 study by astronomers Rahlf Hansen and Christine Rink posited that the Sun Chariot was a movable calendar that could predict lunar eclipses. In 2011, the Sun Chariot was put on the Danish 1,000-krone banknote. As of June 1, 2025, however, this banknote is no longer legal tender due to changes the Danish government is making to its cash currency.
The Herald Scotland
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Rosallion returns in star-studded Lockinge
Having seen his season cut short as a respiratory infection forced him to miss Goodwood's Sussex Stakes, Rosallion must overcome an 11-month absence in Saturday's Group One feature and Hannon is keeping his fingers crossed he is fit enough to do himself justice. 'He's been off the track for a long time and that is a hard thing to get over,' said the trainer. 'He looks great and I'm looking forward to the race. He hasn't been able to get on the grass much, but I took him to Newbury twice and he worked great. 'It's probably the best Lockinge we've seen for a long time, but I'm just hopeful that he returns the same horse he was last year. 'If he is, then he should have a good year. I just hope Sheikh Mohammed Obaid (owner) hasn't used up all his luck this week having seen Inisherin come back and win at York earlier in the week!' Rosallion's chief rival looks to be Roger Teal's Dancing Gemini, who has been firing on all cylinders this season, with an impressive comeback victory in the Doncaster Mile followed by a similarly dominant display in Sandown's bet365 Mile. Dancing Gemini on his way to victory at Sandown (Andrew Matthews/PA) With Ryan Moore in the saddle for the first time and race fitness on his side, Teal is hoping his stable star can prove his worth at the highest level. 'We've been really happy with him, his work has been very good at home,' said the Lambourn handler. 'He's done nothing wrong at all, he backed up his Doncaster run at Sandown. He was impressive there and we're very happy with the shape he's in at home. 'The Sandown race was almost a Group One field in a Group Two, there were a couple having their first runs and they should improve, but I still thought he did it very well. 'Ryan is in the form of his life, he was brilliant on Wednesday and he's had a great couple of weeks, so please God that continues.' David Menuisier is looking forward to running Tamfana in the Lockinge (Joe Giddens/PA) Just under two lengths behind Dancing Gemini in second at Sandown was David Menuisier's Tamfana, a talented filly who won the Sun Chariot last season and hit the frame in several other Group One races. 'She's grand and in really good form and I feel she's come on for her run at Sandown,' said Menuisier. 'She runs her race every time and it's great to have a horse like this and be able to run in these races at the top level. 'It was a really good return to action at Sandown and she seems to have done well for it. There won't be many Group Ones run this year with a better line-up than this, so at least we'll know where we stand in the ranks and it will be both exciting and informative.' The other filly in the field is Karl Burke's Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Fallen Angel. The Spigot Lodge handler said: 'She's in good form but she's a typical four-year-old filly now, she's got her own ideas at home and doesn't overdo herself. 'Not that she ever did really, she's just probably working a little bit more lackadaisical now, but she's ready to run and she had a little away day as well. 'She's fit and she's well, I'm very happy with her. It's very much a first run of the season and the target really is to have her spot on for Royal Ascot.' Notable Speech winning the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA) Charlie Appleby's Notable Speech won the Guineas and the Sussex last year and will make his first appearance since finishing a close-up third in the Breeders' Cup Mile. The trainer told the Godolphin website: 'We have been delighted with Notable Speech heading into the Lockinge. We took him to Newmarket for a day out at the Craven meeting and he has ticked every box ahead of his seasonal return. 'We are taking on Rosallion again and it looks a very strong renewal, as we expected. It's an exciting race to be part of and we couldn't be any happier with our horse.' With Dylan Cunha's Prague a non-runner after spiking a temperature, John and Thady Gosden's Lead Artist, William Knight's Checkandchallenge and Hannon's second string Persica complete the field.
Leader Live
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
See The Fire aiming to make Middleton mark
Andrew Balding's charge has mixed it at the highest level over the past couple of years, taking fourth place behind City Of Troy in the Coral-Eclipse last July before enjoying podium finishes in the Nassau at Goodwood and the Sun Chariot at Newmarket. When briefly eased in grade, See The Fire justified favouritism in the Strensall Stakes at this venue. She was beaten into fifth place on her return to action in last month's Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown, but jockey Oisin Murphy is expecting an improved performance on the Knavesmire. 'See The Fire ran well at Sandown and she likes York,' he said. 'We are hoping she will run very well. She looks great in her skin.' See The Fire is the joint highest-rated filly in the field alongside Charlie Appleby's Beautiful Love, who raced exclusively on foreign soil in 2024 and made an encouraging return to British action when third behind stablemate Cinderella's Dream in Newmarket's Dahlia Stakes less than a fortnight ago. Appleby said on the Godolphin website: 'Beautiful Love ran a solid race on her seasonal return in the Dahlia Stakes and came out of the race very well. 'Stepping back up in trip will help and conditions at York should suit. She should be very competitive.' The Owen Burrows-trained Nakheel is poised to make her first appearance since claiming Group Two honours in Doncaster's Park Hill Stakes in September, but the Lambourn-based handler has admitted to having concerns about drying ground over this shorter trip. 'In an ideal world, I'd love York to have got a drop of rain. She does seem to appreciate a little bit of juice in the ground, but she goes on fast ground,' he said. 'Physically, she's done very well through the winter – I've been very pleased with her. We need to get her season started. 'She's a Group Two winner, so we'd love to try to make her a Group One winner. I like the idea of the Champions Day Fillies' and Mares' Stakes. Normally always plenty of juice in the ground, a mile and a half round there (Ascot) would really suit her.' Ralph Beckett's Doha, the James Tate-trained Royal Dress and Marco Botti's new recruit Sioux Life – a prolific winner in Italy – also feature in a competitive field.
Rhyl Journal
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
See The Fire aiming to make Middleton mark
Andrew Balding's charge has mixed it at the highest level over the past couple of years, taking fourth place behind City Of Troy in the Coral-Eclipse last July before enjoying podium finishes in the Nassau at Goodwood and the Sun Chariot at Newmarket. When briefly eased in grade, See The Fire justified favouritism in the Strensall Stakes at this venue. She was beaten into fifth place on her return to action in last month's Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown, but jockey Oisin Murphy is expecting an improved performance on the Knavesmire. 'See The Fire ran well at Sandown and she likes York,' he said. 'We are hoping she will run very well. She looks great in her skin.' See The Fire is the joint highest-rated filly in the field alongside Charlie Appleby's Beautiful Love, who raced exclusively on foreign soil in 2024 and made an encouraging return to British action when third behind stablemate Cinderella's Dream in Newmarket's Dahlia Stakes less than a fortnight ago. Appleby said on the Godolphin website: 'Beautiful Love ran a solid race on her seasonal return in the Dahlia Stakes and came out of the race very well. 'Stepping back up in trip will help and conditions at York should suit. She should be very competitive.' The Owen Burrows-trained Nakheel is poised to make her first appearance since claiming Group Two honours in Doncaster's Park Hill Stakes in September, but the Lambourn-based handler has admitted to having concerns about drying ground over this shorter trip. 'In an ideal world, I'd love York to have got a drop of rain. She does seem to appreciate a little bit of juice in the ground, but she goes on fast ground,' he said. 'Physically, she's done very well through the winter – I've been very pleased with her. We need to get her season started. 'She's a Group Two winner, so we'd love to try to make her a Group One winner. I like the idea of the Champions Day Fillies' and Mares' Stakes. Normally always plenty of juice in the ground, a mile and a half round there (Ascot) would really suit her.' Ralph Beckett's Doha, the James Tate-trained Royal Dress and Marco Botti's new recruit Sioux Life – a prolific winner in Italy – also feature in a competitive field.
North Wales Chronicle
14-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
See The Fire aiming to make Middleton mark
Andrew Balding's charge has mixed it at the highest level over the past couple of years, taking fourth place behind City Of Troy in the Coral-Eclipse last July before enjoying podium finishes in the Nassau at Goodwood and the Sun Chariot at Newmarket. When briefly eased in grade, See The Fire justified favouritism in the Strensall Stakes at this venue. She was beaten into fifth place on her return to action in last month's Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown, but jockey Oisin Murphy is expecting an improved performance on the Knavesmire. 'See The Fire ran well at Sandown and she likes York,' he said. 'We are hoping she will run very well. She looks great in her skin.' See The Fire is the joint highest-rated filly in the field alongside Charlie Appleby's Beautiful Love, who raced exclusively on foreign soil in 2024 and made an encouraging return to British action when third behind stablemate Cinderella's Dream in Newmarket's Dahlia Stakes less than a fortnight ago. Appleby said on the Godolphin website: 'Beautiful Love ran a solid race on her seasonal return in the Dahlia Stakes and came out of the race very well. 'Stepping back up in trip will help and conditions at York should suit. She should be very competitive.' The Owen Burrows-trained Nakheel is poised to make her first appearance since claiming Group Two honours in Doncaster's Park Hill Stakes in September, but the Lambourn-based handler has admitted to having concerns about drying ground over this shorter trip. 'In an ideal world, I'd love York to have got a drop of rain. She does seem to appreciate a little bit of juice in the ground, but she goes on fast ground,' he said. 'Physically, she's done very well through the winter – I've been very pleased with her. We need to get her season started. 'She's a Group Two winner, so we'd love to try to make her a Group One winner. I like the idea of the Champions Day Fillies' and Mares' Stakes. Normally always plenty of juice in the ground, a mile and a half round there (Ascot) would really suit her.' Ralph Beckett's Doha, the James Tate-trained Royal Dress and Marco Botti's new recruit Sioux Life – a prolific winner in Italy – also feature in a competitive field.
