The Bronze Age shields

The bronze shields found in Danish bogs were made in central Europe in the period 1100-700 BC. Such bronze shields are known from Italy in the south to Sweden in the north, from Spain and Ireland in the west to Hungary in the east. It is unlikely that the shields were used in war or battle. They were used in rituals. From ancient Rome we hear of ancient ceremonies where priests danced in the spring and autumn with the sacred shields. They were considered to be sun symbols closely associated with the gods and the cycle of the seasons. In the Scandinavian rock carvings too shields can be seen in connection with ritual dances.