Gold of the Gods. Unearthing Denmark's largest treasure trove
This remarkable discovery ranks among the largest gold treasures ever unearthed in Denmark, comprising 23 gold artifacts from the 4th and 5th centuries. The collection includes notable coins known as bracteates and Roman medallions.
8:05 AM EDT, April 12, 2024
In December 2020, a team of Danish archaeologists, employing a metal detector, made a spectacular find on a farm in Vindelev, near Jelling in southern Jutland. They uncovered 13 Nordic gold bracteates from the 5th century A.D., among them the world's largest bracteate and one bearing a runic inscription, the earliest known reference to the Nordic god Odin.
The treasure also contained a gold fitting possibly used for a sword or dagger, alongside four Roman gold medallions from the 4th century AD that were adapted to serve as pendants.
Significance of the gold medallions
The archaeologists hypothesize that the Danish village of Vindelev might have been an integral part of ancient trade networks. The Roman gold medallions, typically bestowed upon eminent senators and generals, indicate that their Vindelev owner likely held a prominent social position.
Danish researcher Helle Horsnæs, who spearheaded the study, examined one of the medallions in detail, discovering that it shares the same seal as a medallion found in Zagórzyn, Poland. This finding suggests that these medallions were exchanged multiple times before becoming family heirlooms, treasured and handed down through generations. Uncovering the complete history of these items would undoubtedly offer a glimpse into a fascinating chapter of the past.
