Rare Christian cross, Viking treasures unearthed — revealing ‘fascinating insights' to past
Archaeologists recently unearthed a hoard of early medieval treasures on the banks of an inlet in northern Germany, all thanks to a metal detectorist.
The State Archaeology Department of Schleswig-Holstein (ALSH) announced the discovery in a press release in late May.
The hoard, dating back roughly 1,000 years, was found on the shores of the Schlei, an inlet in the Baltic Sea. Officials said that the area is near 'the once-significant Viking-era trading post of Haithabu.'
The hoard was originally flagged by a metal detectorist named Arjen Spiesswinkel, who reported his finds to the ALSH.
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'A targeted follow-up search with additional detectorists helped narrow down the location of the find,' the ALSH said in a statement.
5 Archaeologists discovered early medieval treasures in northern Germany with the help of a metal detectorist.
ALSH
5 Volunteers dug through the soil, finding over 200 artifacts.
ALSH
'Subsequently, a systematic excavation by the ALSH, together with volunteer helpers, recovered the objects.'
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Pictures show focused volunteers digging through the soil in search of the treasure hoard, which consisted of over 200 artifacts.
'In this case, the hoard includes around 200 objects, mostly made of silver, hacksilver, fragments of Arabic coins (dirhams), bar pieces and jewelry,' the statement noted.
5 The items found were 'mostly made of silver, hacksilver, fragments of Arabic coins (dirhams), bar pieces and jewelry,' the statement from The State Archaeology Department of Schleswig-Holstein said.
ALSH
5 According to officials, the cross is 'an early testament to the beginning of Christianization in the region.'
ALSH
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Officials added, 'Particularly noteworthy is a delicate cross pendant – an early testament to the beginning of Christianization in the region.'
'Particularly noteworthy is a delicate cross pendant – an early testament to the beginning of Christianization in the region.'
The ALSH also noted that hoard finds typically consist of 'buried or submerged objects that were either hidden to protect them from others or laid down as offerings.'
A ceramic shard and a whetstone were also found at the site, which officials believe may be 'possible indications of a previously unknown settlement.'
5 A ceramic shard and a whetstone were also found at the site.
ALSH
'The finds offer fascinating insights into the history of the 10th century, a time of trade, cultural exchange, and religious transformation,' the statement concluded.
The Viking Age lasted from roughly 800 A.D. to 1050 A.D., meaning that the hoard dates back to the later part of the era.
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The discovery comes as many recent Viking-related finds have been uncovered across Europe.
In Sweden, officials recently announced the discovery of a Viking grave with 'Christian overtones' on the outskirts of Linköping.
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New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Rare Christian cross, Viking treasures unearthed — revealing ‘fascinating insights' to past
Advertisement Archaeologists recently unearthed a hoard of early medieval treasures on the banks of an inlet in northern Germany, all thanks to a metal detectorist. The State Archaeology Department of Schleswig-Holstein (ALSH) announced the discovery in a press release in late May. The hoard, dating back roughly 1,000 years, was found on the shores of the Schlei, an inlet in the Baltic Sea. Officials said that the area is near 'the once-significant Viking-era trading post of Haithabu.' The hoard was originally flagged by a metal detectorist named Arjen Spiesswinkel, who reported his finds to the ALSH. Advertisement 'A targeted follow-up search with additional detectorists helped narrow down the location of the find,' the ALSH said in a statement. 5 Archaeologists discovered early medieval treasures in northern Germany with the help of a metal detectorist. ALSH 5 Volunteers dug through the soil, finding over 200 artifacts. ALSH 'Subsequently, a systematic excavation by the ALSH, together with volunteer helpers, recovered the objects.' Advertisement Pictures show focused volunteers digging through the soil in search of the treasure hoard, which consisted of over 200 artifacts. 'In this case, the hoard includes around 200 objects, mostly made of silver, hacksilver, fragments of Arabic coins (dirhams), bar pieces and jewelry,' the statement noted. 5 The items found were 'mostly made of silver, hacksilver, fragments of Arabic coins (dirhams), bar pieces and jewelry,' the statement from The State Archaeology Department of Schleswig-Holstein said. ALSH 5 According to officials, the cross is 'an early testament to the beginning of Christianization in the region.' ALSH Advertisement Officials added, 'Particularly noteworthy is a delicate cross pendant – an early testament to the beginning of Christianization in the region.' 'Particularly noteworthy is a delicate cross pendant – an early testament to the beginning of Christianization in the region.' The ALSH also noted that hoard finds typically consist of 'buried or submerged objects that were either hidden to protect them from others or laid down as offerings.' A ceramic shard and a whetstone were also found at the site, which officials believe may be 'possible indications of a previously unknown settlement.' 5 A ceramic shard and a whetstone were also found at the site. ALSH 'The finds offer fascinating insights into the history of the 10th century, a time of trade, cultural exchange, and religious transformation,' the statement concluded. The Viking Age lasted from roughly 800 A.D. to 1050 A.D., meaning that the hoard dates back to the later part of the era. Advertisement The discovery comes as many recent Viking-related finds have been uncovered across Europe. In Sweden, officials recently announced the discovery of a Viking grave with 'Christian overtones' on the outskirts of Linköping.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Fox News
Rare Christian cross among spectacular 1,000-year-old Viking treasures found by metal detectorists
Archaeologists recently unearthed a hoard of early medieval treasures on the banks of an inlet in northern Germany, all thanks to a metal detectorist. The State Archaeology Department of Schleswig-Holstein (ALSH) announced the discovery in a press release in late May. The hoard, dating back roughly 1,000 years, was found on the shores of the Schlei, an inlet in the Baltic Sea. Officials said that the area is near "the once-significant Viking-era trading post of Haithabu." The hoard was originally flagged by a metal detectorist named Arjen Spiesswinkel, who reported his finds to the ALSH. "A targeted follow-up search with additional detectorists helped narrow down the location of the find," the ALSH said in a statement. "Subsequently, a systematic excavation by the ALSH, together with volunteer helpers, recovered the objects." Pictures show focused volunteers digging through the soil in search of the treasure hoard, which consisted of over 200 artifacts. "In this case, the hoard includes around 200 objects, mostly made of silver, hacksilver, fragments of Arabic coins (dirhams), bar pieces and jewelry," the statement noted. Officials added, "Particularly noteworthy is a delicate cross pendant – an early testament to the beginning of Christianization in the region." "Particularly noteworthy is a delicate cross pendant – an early testament to the beginning of Christianization in the region." The ALSH also noted that hoard finds typically consist of "buried or submerged objects that were either hidden to protect them from others or laid down as offerings." A ceramic shard and a whetstone were also found at the site, which officials believe may be "possible indications of a previously unknown settlement." "The finds offer fascinating insights into the history of the 10th century, a time of trade, cultural exchange, and religious transformation," the statement concluded. The Viking Age lasted from roughly 800 A.D. to 1050 A.D., meaning that the hoard dates back to the later part of the era. The discovery comes as many recent Viking-related finds have been uncovered across Europe. In Sweden, officials recently announced the discovery of a Viking grave with "Christian overtones" on the outskirts of Linköping.
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Miami Herald
2 days ago
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‘Exceptionally large' shoe among more than 30 found preserved at Roman fort
Nearly 2,000 years ago, the Romans began their conquest of Britain. The time between when Roman boats landed on British shores in 43 A.D. to the establishment of their empire's northern border was less than a century, and by 122 A.D. Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of a wall across modern-day England. Today, Hadrian's Wall spans 73 miles and teaches archaeologists and historians about the daily lives of soldiers, forts and trade centers of Roman-era Britain. One of these sites is Magna Fort, located along one of the most complete sections of the famed wall — and archaeologists have just made a 'large' discovery. Excavations of the northern defensive ditches of Magna Fort have revealed 32 shoes buried in the 'semi-anaerobic low oxygen deposits,' according to a July 2 news release from the Vindolanda Charitable Trust, which is in charge of the five-year project. The shoes were abnormally sized, including one 'exceptionally large' shoe first reported in the Magna Dig Diary in May, according to the release. The shoe is 12.6 inches long, roughly a UK size 13/14 or US size 15/16, archaeologists said. 'As news spread of this giant single shoe, the team continued to discover more ancient shoes, several more of them being of an exceptional size,' according to the release. 'Eight shoes from Magna are now recorded as (11.8 inches) or over in length and this includes one which holes the current record for being the Trust's largest shoe at (12.8 inches) long.' The shoes found at another Hadrian's Wall fort, Vinvolanda, have very few shoes that large, but one-fourth of the shoes found at Magna are classed as 'xx-large,' archaeologists said. 'I think there is something very different going on here at Magna, even from this small sample uncovered it is clear that these shoes are much larger on average than most of the Vindolanda collection,' Elizabeth Greene, shoe specialist and associate professor at the University of Western Ontario, said in the release. When the shoes go through the conservation process, like those at Vindolanda have, they have the possibility of shrinking up to 0.4 inches, but even with that shrinkage the Magna shoes would still be larger, Greene said. The other 75% of shoes found at Magna ranged in size, including shoes small enough to fit children, according to the trust. 'Organic finds like this are some of the most precious to come from our sites,' senior archaeologist for the Magna Project, Rachel Frame, said in the release, but officials are worried about how climate change will impact the well-preserved organic material yet to be found. Magna Fort is in Brampton, in northern England, just south of Scotland.
