Vindelev hoard reveals Odin's earliest mention and Roman ties in Denmark

This is one of the most significant gold treasures ever found in Denmark. It comprises 23 gold artefacts dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries. Among them are coins known as bracteates and Roman medallions.

In December 2020, Danish archaeologists, while using a metal detector, discovered on a farm in Vindelev near Jelling in southern Jutland 13 Nordic gold bracteates from the 5th century A.D., including the largest bracteate in the world and one with a runic inscription that is the earliest known mention of the Nordic god Odin.

The treasure also included a gold fitting for a sword or dagger and four Roman gold medallions from the 4th century AD, which were used as pendants.

Archaeologists suggest that the Danish village might have been a pivotal point in the trade network of the past. In the Roman period, gold medallions were awarded to leading senators and generals, suggesting that the individual from Vindelev, if the gifts were intended for them, must have held a significant social role.

It cannot be ruled out that the medallions were the object of numerous exchanges before they finally entered family collections and were passed down from generation to generation. Discovering the full history of these treasures could undoubtedly offer fascinating insights.