• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

Rare pre-Viking helmet fragment discovered in Lejre, Denmark

by Dario Radley
January 30, 2025

An extraordinarily well-preserved section of a gold-plated, gemstone-encrusted helmet has been uncovered in Lejre, Denmark, providing new information about the country’s role as a seat of political and cultural power during the era of the Late Germanic Iron Age. Dated between 650 and 750 CE, the helmet is older than the age of the Vikings and is one of the most sensational finds of its kind in Scandinavia.

Rare pre-Viking helmet fragment discovered in Lejre, Denmark
A fragment from the rare gold-plated pre-Viking helmet. Credit: Kristian Grøndahl, Lejre Museum / ROMU

The two metal detectorists from Jutland and Sweden uncovered the fragment at Lillebro near Lejre during the spring of 2024. Their find consists of two bronze fragments that together form most of the brow ridge of the helmet, a feature characterized by its curved shape. The bronze is gold-plated and ornamented with a deep red garnet, a gem that in the past was considered to represent strength.

The craftsmanship of the helmet fragment surprised archaeologists. Unlike helmets of the same period, which in most cases consisted of several parts, this brow ridge was constructed in a single unit. “It is craftsmanship of an extraordinary quality – comparable to the craftsmanship behind the famous Sutton Hoo helmet from the ship burial in England,” senior Uppsala University scholar John Ljungkvist, who closely analyzed the fragment, stated.

Archaeology director Julie Nielsen at ROMU emphasized the artwork in the fragment and its value during its time. “The ornamentation – an animal with prominent teeth and large eyes – reflects the style known from the late Germanic Iron Age,” Nielsen added. “The fragment originates from one of Scandinavia’s greatest helmets.”

Rare pre-Viking helmet fragment discovered in Lejre, Denmark
The craftsmanship of the helmet fragment surprised archaeologists. Credit: Kristian Grøndahl, Lejre Museum / ROMU

The helmet, probably worn by a king or a high-ranking person, reflects the hierarchical society of Lejre at that time. “The deep red garnet has long been associated with strength. The intricate ornamentation on the helmet narrates a story of immense power possessed by its owner,” Nielsen said.

RelatedStories

50 World War-era helmets discovered near Wrocław University, Poland

50 World War-era helmets discovered near Wrocław University, Poland

June 21, 2025
Remarkable 11th-century ritual sword with rare symbolic inlays discovered in Dutch river

Remarkable 11th-century ritual sword with rare symbolic inlays discovered in Dutch river

June 19, 2025

Archaeologists speculate that the helmet fragment never saw any fighting but was used in ceremonies or for symbolic purposes. Lejre, to the west of Copenhagen, was a political and religious hub, relatively free of local strife, where elites converged to worship, conduct trade, and reinforce ties with one another. Other similar helmet fragments found in England and Sweden indicate widespread networks of trade and cultural ties between these regions.

The prominence of Lejre in the Late Germanic Iron Age is well documented through its monumental hall buildings and grave sites. The fragment of a helmet adds a new level to this heritage, demonstrating its wealth, workmanship, and cross-cultural contact in the region.

After rapid analysis at the National Museum of Denmark, the helmet fragment is now on display at the Lejre Museum.

More information: ROMU

Share1Tweet1ShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Ancient ritual spear from Japan’s sacred island reveals East Asia’s earliest gold-inlaid sheath
Archaeology

Ancient ritual spear from Japan’s sacred island reveals East Asia’s earliest gold-inlaid sheath

June 21, 2025
50 World War-era helmets discovered near Wrocław University, Poland
Archaeology

50 World War-era helmets discovered near Wrocław University, Poland

June 21, 2025
6,000-year-old “Venus of Kołobrzeg” confirmed as rare Neolithic discovery in northern Poland
Archaeology

6,000-year-old “Venus of Kołobrzeg” confirmed as rare Neolithic discovery in northern Poland

June 21, 2025
2,000-year-old wall paintings revealed from ‘Beverly Hills of Roman London’ Credit: MOLA
Archaeology

2,000-year-old wall paintings unearthed in ‘Beverly Hills of Roman London’

June 20, 2025
Remarkable 11th-century ritual sword with rare symbolic inlays discovered in Dutch river
Archaeology

Remarkable 11th-century ritual sword with rare symbolic inlays discovered in Dutch river

June 19, 2025
Rare sperm whale tooth unearthed at Valencina Copper Age megasite reveals ancient Iberian coastal connections
Archaeology

Rare sperm whale tooth unearthed at Valencina Copper Age megasite reveals ancient Iberian coastal connections

June 17, 2025

Comments 0

  1. Editorial Team says:
    56 years ago
    Disclaimer: This website is a science-focused magazine that welcomes both academic and non-academic audiences. Comments are written by users and may include personal opinions or unverified claims. They do not necessarily reflect the views of our editorial team or rely on scientific evidence.
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
108K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

June 9, 2025
6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

June 13, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

Ancient ritual spear from Japan’s sacred island reveals East Asia’s earliest gold-inlaid sheath

Ancient ritual spear from Japan’s sacred island reveals East Asia’s earliest gold-inlaid sheath

June 21, 2025
50 World War-era helmets discovered near Wrocław University, Poland

50 World War-era helmets discovered near Wrocław University, Poland

June 21, 2025
6,000-year-old “Venus of Kołobrzeg” confirmed as rare Neolithic discovery in northern Poland

6,000-year-old “Venus of Kołobrzeg” confirmed as rare Neolithic discovery in northern Poland

June 21, 2025
2,000-year-old wall paintings revealed from ‘Beverly Hills of Roman London’ Credit: MOLA

2,000-year-old wall paintings unearthed in ‘Beverly Hills of Roman London’

June 20, 2025
Remarkable 11th-century ritual sword with rare symbolic inlays discovered in Dutch river

Remarkable 11th-century ritual sword with rare symbolic inlays discovered in Dutch river

June 19, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.