The horse and the chariot

The domesticated horse was an innovation that came to Denmark at the start of the Bronze Age. The horse was not used as a draught animal in front of the plough like oxen. The noble beast was reserved for chariot riding and religious rituals. On rock carvings from Sweden and Norway we see the light two-wheeled chariot depicted – presumably being used in processions. Knowledge of the two-wheeled chariot with four spokes reached the north from the Mediterranean area. On tombstones of kings in Mycenae in Greece two-wheeled chariots are being driven. Some bronze objects from Gallemose may be parts of yokes that were placed far forward on the chariot shaft. The reins could run through their hooks.