The Student's Find: Silver Tax from the Viking Age

A silver treasure from the Viking Age has been found north of Århus in Denmark. The discovery was made last spring by a young archaeology student who was out with a metal detector.

» Updated: September 19 2024

» Published: August 19 2024

The Student's Find: Silver Tax from the Viking Age
Photo: Poul Madsen/Moesgaard Museum

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Suddenly the detector beeped loudly and a small shovel stroke into the ground found a silver arm ring. When he came back a little later, he found six more arm rings.

In total, the seven arm rings weigh one and a half kilos. According to Moesgaard museum, where they will be exhibited, they not only had significance as jewelry, but also as a means of payment. They also showed the bearer's economic status in society.

The find has been dated to the early 800s and was likely produced in South Scandinavia, writes the museum in a press release. The silver treasure's design shows contacts and inspiration from Russia or Ukraine and also contacts with Ireland and England.

The find shows Aarhus' role as a central hub in the Vikings' world, which stretched from the North Atlantic to Asia, believes historian Kasper H Andersen at Moesgaard museum.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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