Arm rings of gold Throughout the Bronze Age objects of great value were deposited in the soil. These were gifts to the higher powers and sometimes they were of gold. The objects may have been used in religious processions and rituals before they were removed from the world of men. Among the deposited objects we find arm rings of gold. Like the other sacrificial finds from the Bronze Age, they were deposited in lakes, bogs, wells and hills or beside large stones. These arm rings constitute some of the most important finds of the Bronze Age, and they were made in many variations in both bronze and gold.
The mysterious oath rings Some of the arm rings are called ‘oath rings’. These arm rings are open and have funnel-shaped ends. The name comes from the beginning of the nineteenth century, at a time when it was thought that one could find explanations in the Icelandic sagas of the use of objects from prehistory. Because of the sagas the gold arm rings were viewed as objects used in connection with the swearing of oaths in courts. Although it later emerged that the ‘oath rings’ are not from the age of the sagas, but from the much older Bronze Age (c. 1700-500 BC), people continued to use the name. The appearance
object types appear repeatedly – arm rings, for example. Most sacrifices were deposited in bogs, lakes and other water areas, but they could also be placed near large stones or at barrows. Perhaps the sacrifices were part of ceremonial feasts. Sacrificial deposit of two spiral arm rings, an oath ring and gold bar from near Ramløse, county of Frederiksborg. Distribution of sacrificial deposits of metal objects in Denmark from the 11th to the 8th century BC. Deposit find from Vejle area. The find includes twisted neck rings, arm rings and needles.
The gold hoards of the Vikings Gold was nowhere near as common as silver in the Viking Age. Despite this, gold arm rings were also adjusted in weight by the addition of smaller gold rings. Like silver, gold could be used as a means of payment in the Viking Age . Gold rings appear now and then in the larger silver hoards, but often the gold objects are found alone or with other gold ornaments. The gold hoards of the Viking period probably represent both sacrifices and hidden capital. Neckring of gold from Kalmergården by Lake Tissø in western Zealand, armring of gold from Hornelund near Varde
The hoard from Borgbjerg Banke At Borgbjerg Banke in Boeslunde in western Zealand five solid arm rings of gold – so-called oath rings –were found. Nearby six golden bowls were recovered. The objects [...] was perceived as a sacred mountain that reached up to the heavenly powers. The heavy gold rings were worn by the most powerful chieftains. Those who could sacrifice such valuable things must have been close to the gods. Oath ring from Gammelgård. Borgbjerg Banke's location. The hoard of six gold bowls from Borgbjerg. The hill Borgbjerg Banke was 54 metres tall and could be seen from a far distance.
Hoard find from Vester Vedsted The hoard from Vester Vedsted was found near Ribe and includes neck and arm rings, a brooch, pendants, a chain, bars, silver beads and silver fragments. The gold rings and silver bars have been weighed off so they correspond to units in ører, weighing respectively 8, 4.2 and 24.5 grammes. The find also includes Arab silver coins, the latest of which is from 913-42. The hoard was buried in the last half of the tenth century. The hoard from Vester Vedsted contained both gold and silver. Vester Vedsted is located near Ribe in Southwest Jutland.
The hoard find from Hornelund The hoard from Hornelund was found near Varde, and it contains two clothes brooches and an arm ring of gold. The two brooches are the finest from the Danish Viking Age . The relief of the brooches has been hammered out over a matrix. They are decorated with wire filigree and granulation. Their decoration with foliage and vine leaves has its origin in Christian art. The Norse animal heads on one brooch show that they were made by a Danish goldsmith in the last half of the tenth century. Hornelund is located near Varde in West Jutland.
marked face, though with hair and beard. The arms are resting in his lap, where there is a cushion-shaped object. The man may be wearing a robe and on his neck, he wears a necklace composed of multiple, closely spaced profiled rings. This type of composite neck rings known from Swedish society; neck rings of gold, and can be dated to the 5th century AD. In Hannenov on Falster is found a similar articulated collar, which only consists of a single ring. The wooden figure from Rude Eskildstrup is the youngest of the wooden figures we know from the Iron Age bogs and wetlands. Perhaps he represents the end of a
The silver hoard from Terslev The silver hoard from Terslev in Zealand contains 6.6 kg of silver, including 1751 coins. 1708 of the coins are of Arab origin. The latest-dated coin is from the year 944 and the hoard was buried in the second half of the tenth century. The objects are neck and arm rings, chains with toiletry accessories and costume jewellery. There is also a drinking service with four Nordic cups and a large embossed bowl, which may come from Persia. A fragment with the Latin inscription ..BATIS.. is from an altar plate (paten). The silver treasure from Terslev You can see
and two belts, all made from wool. Her wealth is reflected in the numerous pieces of bronze jewellery, which include a belt plate, two ornamental bronze plates or “tutuli”, a neck ring, arm rings, spiral finger rings and a clothes pin. The grave also contained a pottery vessel, a wooden box, a bronze dagger and a horn comb. Where is the woman from Borum Eshøj's hair? Today the woman from Borum Eshøj