Dating as far back as 1,300 years at a farm site in Denmark, archaeologists have uncovered various pieces of Viking jewelry, even some that contain gold. While many people know Vikings as raiders, they also had artistic skills, demonstrated in the craftsmanship in the jewelry that has been discovered.
via Yahoo
Dating from the late 7th to the early 11th centuries, the area now called Vestervang is the home to many pieces of Viking jewelry. The largest island in Denmark, Zealand, is where most of the jewelry was found through metal detectors used by archaeologists and volunteers. Yet, the findings have puzzled archaeologists because the modest farm site shouldn’t have held so many lavish goods.
One of the pieces found was a heart-shaped animal head. Possibly part of a necklace, the copper alloy piece displays an image of a heart-shaped animal head with circular eyes and rounded ears, and measures 2.9 inches. Experts say that this may have been part of three similar images, with only one surviving. In the image, three-fingered paws or feet and marked elbow joints rest above the creature’s forelegs. Moreover, the neck is covered by a beadlike chain.
Three masked figures, all with a drooping moustache, give the humanlike mask an animal character. Also adding to this idea are two horns or ears that emerge above a circular mark between the eyebrows. This, according to experts, is indicative of Viking age art.
Another piece found predating the Viking-age farm site, created sometime between 500 and 750 A.D. in continental Europe is a golden Christian cross mystery. A waffle form holds inlaid gold and a central wheel cross in relief as the decoration. Moreover, forming an equal-armed cross and covered with semiprecious stones or transparent red glass is some of the waffle gold. A mysterious, but beautiful piece.
