Archaeologists stunned by detector discovery of 1,000-year-old gold earring

The National Museum of Denmark has announced the discovery of a rare gold earring from the 11th century. The jewel, unique in the world and never before seen in Denmark, was discovered in a field in western Jutland using a metal detector. The find marks a breakthrough in understanding the interconnectedness of the worlds of Vikingers and the Middle East...

The earring consists of a crescent-shaped gold plate with enamel inlay in a frame of thin gold bands. It is decorated with small gold balls and trimmed with decorative rings. The motif depicts two stylized birds around a tree of life. The unique jewel was discovered by detectorist Frants Fugl Vestergaard in a field in Bøvling near Lemvig at 9:37 a.m. on April 30. In his words, you just remember the exact time when it comes to the find of a lifetime...

The National Museum said that the earrings probably came from the Middle East. This is the first discovery of such an object in Scandinavia, with only a few examples of this style known in the world. The Copenhagen museum believes the earring originated in Byzantium or Egypt and was probably a gift from the Byzantine emperorto a Viking chieftain or warrior who may have been his bodyguard. Alternatively, it may have come to Denmark with one of the pilgrims from the eastern Mediterranean.

Only a few similar artefacts have been found in the whole world so far. All of them are in old museum collections in the USA, Great Britain or Arab countries. "This is totally unique for us," said Peter Pentz, the museum's curator. "We only know of ten to twelve other specimens around the world, and we've never found any in Scandinavia," Pentz said, adding although the Viking brought back thousands of different coins from their raids, journeys and trading expeditions, only very rarely were jewels part of the loot and trade.

The location of the find in West Jutland also surprised experts, as there is no known Vikingsite nearby. Mr Vestergaard, who has been searching for nearly ten years, says the discovery is a dream come true. The National Museum of Denmark appreciates his find and his exemplary cooperation....in an official statement on social media, expressing its support and thanks.

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Roman Nemec
Sources: dr.dk, billet.natmus.dk, epress.co.uk