In October 2021, Dan Christensen, an amateur metal detector, made the exciting discovery of an extremely delicate gold neck ring weighing a whopping 446 grams (about 1 pound). The discovery of a lifetime, a gold neck ring, unearthed in a field near Esbjerg on the Jutland Peninsula in mainland Denmark, has been described by the South West Jutland Museum as a “masterpiece of almost God”.
Archaeologists believe the necklace dates to around 1,400-1,700 years ago and belongs to the Germanic Iron Age, a period that lasted from 400 to 800 AD in Northern Europe.
The front of a gold ring found in Esbjerg, Denmark. ( Sydvestjyske Museum )
A gorgeous and unusually crafted gold neck ring
The gold neck ring is made from a 93 cm (36 inch) long piece of gold rod. The circular cross-section is narrowest in the center and gradually thickens towards the ends. According to CPH Post, its widest point is 21 centimeters (8 inches).
Describing its exquisite workmanship, a post by the Southwest Jutland Museum adds that the bar was then bent into a ring shape so that about a third of the thick ends overlapped. This overlap is densely embossed with a crescent pattern. Each end has a series of flat gold beads carved into it, while, as the bar begins to taper towards the center, the crescent shape is replaced by a neat, fluted shape and small pistons create into an elongated design.
Embossed crescent details and braided gold cord fringe. ( Sydvestjyske Museum )
At the back, between the overlap of the ring, a thin plate is welded. This forms the basis for inserting a beautiful fringe of six thin ribbed gold wires, four of which are braided together into two strands. A seventh spiral golden wire is placed above.
The whole constitutes an “elegant masterpiece of almost divine quality”. To date, only 10 similar necklaces with stamped patterns have been found in Denmark. The latest find is one of the most beautiful, with a welded plate and braided gold wire frill making it very unusual.
The back or back of a gold neck ring found in Denmark is likely a hidden treasure. ( Sydvestjyske Museum )
Is the “Almost Divine” Necklace a Divine Gift?
Archaeologists believe that the necklace was intentionally hidden by its owner rather than as a sacrifice to the gods. Votive offerings in the area were often made in wetlands, and since there was a wetland nearby, it seems to suggest that the owner’s intention in burying the necklace was not to appease The gods often won their favor.
“When sacrificing items at that time, it usually took place in wetlands, swamps and similar places. We know a large wetland existed near the discovery site, so If it were to be sacrificed to the gods, it would be placed out there instead.” Claus Feveile, curator of the Ribe Viking Museum, told Sputnik News.
Intricate detail is displayed on all fine objects. ( Sydvestjyske Museum )
Feveile also believes that the gold ring should never have been moved after it was buried because it remained in its minted state and retained its shape despite the fact that pure gold is very malleable. “Gold is so pure and therefore so soft that the ring would not be able to maintain its beautiful shape if it were moved around with tools. At the same time, the excavation showed that we found the very hole where the necklace was hidden,” he told Sputnik News.
Why was such a valuable treasure hidden?
If it is not a divine offering, then what is the purpose of burying such a precious and beautiful object? In 536-40, the Northern Hemisphere suffered a series of natural disasters, most likely volcanic eruptions, leading to a brief period of cooling climate known as the Ice Age. Ha small late. This led to a series of ritual sacrifices to the gods to mitigate the disastrous consequences of this dramatic climate change.
However, most of the discovered sacrifices were made in wetlands, where once buried, they were never intended to be retrieved as they were intended for the gods to enjoy .
