Golden hoard reveals oldest evidence of worship of the Norse god Odin

Scandinavian scientists have identified the earliest mention of the Norse god Odin. They found it on a piece of a gold bract, which was found along with other objects using a metal detector in western Denmark. Experts say it could change the way we interpret runic inscriptions and Norse mythology.

The gold 'brakteat' is part of an amazing archaeological find uncovered two years ago by metal detectorists Jørgen Antonsen and Ole Schytz. The collection, known as the 'Vindelev Treasure', contains 22 gold objects that date back to the pre-Viking period. In total, the hoard contained about 1 kg of gold, including large medallions the size of plates and Roman coins made into jewellery. It was discovered in the village of Vindelev in central Jutland, from which it takes its name.

Experts believe the treasure was put in the ground 1,500 years ago, either as an offering to the gods or as a depot hidden from enemies in troubled times. On the gold bract in the form of a thin decorative pendant was a runic inscription that read: "He is Odin's man", probably referring to an unknown king or ruler.

"This is one of the best executed runic inscriptions I have ever seen," explained Lisbeth Imer, a runeologist at the National Museum in Copenhagen. According to her, the inscription represents the first solid evidence of Odin worship as early as the fifth century. This is at least 150 years earlier than the previous earliest known reference found on a brooch in southern Germany in the second half of the sixth century.

Ancient languages expert Krister Vasshus added that runic inscriptions are rare and therefore "Any runic inscription is essential to our understanding of the past." According to him, the inscription is not only remarkable for its length and provides interesting information about the religion and society of the past.

The Norse worshipped many gods, each with different attributes, weaknesses and characteristics. Based on sagas and deciphered rune stones, it is clear that the Vikings attributed many human traits to the gods. Imer pointed out that this kind of mythology could lead to a reassessment of all the other 200 known bracketed inscriptions: "The interpretation of this runic inscription has been the most difficult in the 20 years I have worked as a runologist at the National Museum. It may be the key to understanding other prehistoric runic inscriptions that we have not been able to read until now."

Roman Nemec

Sources: cphpost.dk, nypost.com, theguardian.com

The bractate contained a runic inscription referring to Odin

Experts Krister Vasshus and Lisbeth Imer hold the golden bractates discovered in Vindelev, Denmark, in late 2020

Ole Schytz (right) and Jørgen Antonsen in 2020

Roman medallion of Constantine the Great from the Vindelev hoard

Vindelev Treasure

Gold disc with runic inscriptions