1,500-year-old treasure found: Symbol of authority!

Archaeologists in Denmark have discovered an arsenal of more than 100 spears and pikes buried under the home of an Iron Age chieftain. The 1,500-year-old collection is large enough to equip a small army and may have been a 'sacrificial offering.'

A fragment of a bronze ring - a symbol of power from the Iron Age - was discovered during an archaeological excavation in Denmark. (Photo: Vejle Museum)

Between the first and fourth centuries AD, Denmark was on the periphery of the Roman Empire as part of the larger Germania region. Most of the people in the area were ordinary farmers, but Romans such as Julius Caesar wrote of fierce Germanic warriors. Some scholars have suggested that the Romans may have supplied weapons to tribes in Denmark, perhaps to keep the peace on the border with Scandinavia.

Archaeologists found the treasure during a highway expansion project in August at a site called Løsning Søndermark in Denmark. The metal weapons, found under two houses dating back to the early fifth century, likely belonged to someone powerful enough to raise an army. Because the weapons were buried intentionally, researchers believe they were presented as tribute after a victory. The treasure trove of metal objects included 119 spears and pikes, eight swords, five knives, an axe, and a rare suit of iron armor.

Very few Iron Age iron armours have been found in southern Scandinavia, and the Løsning Iron Armour is the first to be found from a settlement rather than a burial site. This elaborate armour took a long time to produce, so archaeologists believe it may have belonged to the chieftain himself.

In addition to the weapons, the archaeologists also found fragments of two bronze necklaces known as 'oath rings.' These accessories were symbols of power during the Iron Age , further attesting to the influence of the chieftain. The team also found fragments of horse harnesses and bronze trumpets, as well as a number of iron and bronze objects.

Although the cache of weapons is associated with the home of an Iron Age chieftain, archaeologists are still uncertain whether the objects belonged to local warriors or were amassed as spoils of war.