Discovered Gold Pendant Of Odin And His Horse Sleipnir Might Be Linked To The Heruli Tribe

MessageToEagle | April 16, 2016 | Archaeology News | No Comments

MessageToEagle.com – A gold pendant depicting the Norse God Odin and his horse Sleipnir has been discovered on a farm in Kungsbacka, Sweden. Archaeologists think the precious jewelry can be linked to the Heruli, the Huns and ancient Romans.

The Heruli were an East Germanic tribe that lived near the Sea of Azov, near the Black Sea, in the third century AD, and later moved to the Roman frontier on the central European Danube at the same time as many eastern “barbarians” during late antiquity, such as the Goths, Huns, Scirii, Rugii and Alans.

The precise origins of the Heruli (or Heroli) are unknown. They seem to have borne some relationship with the tribes that formed the Suevi. Ancient inscriptions in Scandinavia which are sometimes attributed to them suggest that this fierce, martial people were called the ‘lords’.

In 1867, Swedish farmer Peter Andreasson made a unique find on his land, discovering a pendant from the 500s. Now, archaeologist Bengt Nordqvist and his team have literally struck gold. The gold pendant of Odin riding a horse was found close to the first find.

Odin, who has always been associated with war, healing, royalty, death, knowledge, wisdom, battles, frenzy, magic and runes was the supreme Norse god. He is mentioned in many mythological stories, not only from the Norse, but also Germanic and pagan mythologies. In myths and legends it told that he took Sleipnir, his eight-legged horse to the sky or underworld.

Gold pendant of Odin and Slepnir Image credit: Bengt Nordqvist

Nordqvist says the gold pendant is an exceptional discovery. He estimates that the pendant is from the year 400 A.D.

The pendant was probably a medal, or military award that ended up in the ground as a sacrifice, Nordqkvist said.

Yet, it seems somewhat strange to archaeologists that such a valuable pendant would be sacrificed in a remote place like this one.

Unique Ancient Skeletons Discovered At Varnhem Abbey, Sweden

Enigmatic Ale’s Stones – Sweden’s Megalithic Ship-Like Formation

Preserve Elfdalian: Sweden’s Secret Forest Language From The Viking-Era

Discovery Of Ancient Odin Figurine With Horns Raises Questions About Viking Helmets – But It’s Not What You Think

What makes the both discoveries very exciting is that the pendants have a runic inscription that links the jewelry to the Heruli, the Huns and ancient Romans. The inscription reads: “I erilen” and suggests an ancient connection to the Heruli.

“Erils or Heruli, are mentioned in ancient sources as participants in the great wars between the Romans, Huns and Goths, Nordqvist says. “The Huns came across large amounts of gold and the connection to the ancient scriptures is of course very exciting,” he continues.

The facts that two ancient gold pendants of historical value have already been found in close vicinity, suggests there could be much more out there. Archaeologists will have to examine the area closer and look for more ancient treasures that could cast more light on these discoveries.

Expand for references

References:

Swedish media