Amulets with Christian symbolism convey been found inwards the oldest extant town inwards Denmark; they may shed novel low-cal on the Christian roots of Scandinavian society.
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| Credit: Northern Emporium Project |
"This is novel noesis of early on Christianity inwards Denmark. We are used to crediting Harald Bluetooth with christening the Danes inwards some the twelvemonth 960. But this shows that people inwards Ribe wore Christian amulets to a greater extent than than 150 years before this genuinely happened," Søren Sindbæk, a professor at Aarhus University, said, calling it "sensational."
The iii amulets all behaviour X-shaped crosses, which is also known every bit a saltire or "Saint Andrew's cross" in addition to is seen on the flag of Scotland in addition to reflected inwards Russia's Navy ensign, alongside other present-day national symbols.
"This type of cross was really mutual inwards that period. They are oft encountered inwards French Republic or Germany, which were already Christian at that point. However, it is believed that people inwards Kingdom of Denmark were however worshipping Old Norse gods at that time," Sindbæk emphasized.
The amulets were all found inwards a smithy, where the molds were also discovered. This suggests the volume production of Christian amulets in addition to thence a larger grouping of Christian followers.
"This is a sign that Christians convey been some in addition to mayhap fifty-fifty led a Christian mission hither inwards Ribe at to the lowest degree 1 generation before what nosotros know today. This finding predates the missionary Ansgar [also known every bit "the Apostle of the North"], whose mission, nosotros know, began inwards the 820s," Søren Sindbæk pointed out.
Another outlier was the stuff used inwards the production of the pendants. Viking jewelry was unremarkably made of precious metals, such every bit bronze, silvery or gold.
"Lead every bit such is related to Christian symbolism. On judgment day, y'all should non apparel flashy jewelry, which could evidence to wealth or vanity. Therefore, it is quite typical that such jewelry was made of to a greater extent than humble stuff similar lead," Søren Sindbæk said.
Sindbæk is the leader of a inquiry projection dedicated to a comprehensive review of the Viking age. For the past times fourteen months, researchers from the Northern Emporium Project convey been digging into the pump of the Viking-age uppercase of Ribe, its quondam marketplace, which Sindbæk referred to every bit an "explosion of finds." The projection is a collaboration betwixt Aarhus University in addition to Southwest Jutland Museums, with back upwards from the Carlsberg Foundation.
The discoveries volition locomote exhibited inwards Southwest Jutland Museums in addition to ultimately sent on a "world tour."
With a population of slightly over 8,000, Ribe is Denmark's oldest extant town, established inwards the early on 8th century inwards the Germanic Iron Age. It is the spot of the eponymous diocese.
Source: Sputnik News [September 24, 2018]
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