Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Recently, we have been privileged to learn about two intriguing archaeological discoveries in Sweden. The first find was made by an alert private individual in a wetland located in Löts parish on Öland.
This discovery is a Viking Age armlet, an open-ended bracelet typically crafted from silver or bronze; however, according to Karl-Oskar Erlandsson, only three of over 1,000 arm rings in the State Historical Museum’s collections are made of iron.
The newly discovered armlet is adorned with intricate rows of dots and features animal heads at its ends. Its preservation is likely due to being found in an oxygen-poor environment. While similar artifacts have been unearthed on Gotland, this particular variant remains unique.
In an interview with P4 Kalmar, Erlandsson explained that the wetland where the armlet was found is also an unusual site. It could be a sacrificial bog, where offerings were made to gods or higher powers. Therefore, there may be more objects in this wetland, prompting an investigation of the surrounding area. An archaeologist will conduct a metal detector survey at the site in the spring to better understand its context.
This Viking Age arm ring was found on Öland. Credit: Länstyrelsen Kalmar
This investigation aims to determine whether the armlet was simply lost jewelry or part of several sacrificial offerings. Given that it was found in a wetland, it is less likely associated with settlement or burial remains.
A close up of the Viking Age arm ring. Credit: Länstyrelsen Kalmar
Should the finder decide to donate the armlet to the museum, it will be preserved for future generations. It may offer additional insights into its history, potentially revealing markings from the workshop or blacksmith who created it.
Another intriguing discovery was made in the city of Trollhättan in Västra Götaland County. During excavation work, a 2,000-year-old golden neck ring was found. At a depth of about two meters, an exclusive neck ring made of precious metal and adorned with gold wire and rings was uncovered.
Made of gold, the neck ring is estimated to be about 2,000 years old. Credit: Västra Götalands Länstyrelse.
According to the Västra Götaland County antiquarian Niklas Ytterberg, the find is very unusual. “Neither I nor my colleagues have experienced anything like it. Only the most powerful wore one of these,” says Ytterberg. The necklace also features knobs at each end and six solid gold rings on the outside. At its widest, it measures 23.5 centimeters and weighs almost a kilogram, specifically 916 grams.
The Västra Götaland County Administrative Board considers the find very unusual. This type of neck ring called a torque, is often found in the British-French area but usually as solid bronze rings. “This is probably a domestic production,” says Ytterberg. “The neck ring is likely made in Scandinavia. Those found in the British-French area usually do not have a gold thread wrapped around them.”
A close-up of the neck ring. Credit: Västra Götalands Länstyrelse.
Rings of this type served as exclusive jewelry to be worn around the neck. They began to appear during the Bronze Age, over 3,000 years ago, becoming more common at the beginning of the Iron Age, around 2,000 years ago. Other similar known finds in Sweden include the Vitteneskatten outside Trollhättan, featuring a gold neck ring, and the Havorringen on Gotland—both from Roman times. Such rings are also depicted on the large Gundestrup cauldron in silver from Denmark and on four bronze masks from Västra Vång in Blekinge.
See also: More Archaeology News
The County Administrative Board will now report the archaeological findings to the National Heritage Board, the authority responsible for making decisions on archaeological discoveries. They will decide on a reward for the finder, appropriate conservation measures, and which museum will receive the necklace.
It has not yet been determined whether archaeological investigations will be conducted at the discovery site.
Written by Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com
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