The Gold Hoard Went Global When Vejlemuseerne first announced the discovery of this incredible treasure, the news spread worldwide. The gold hoard weighs approximately 800 grams in total and includes large medallions the size of saucers. These medallions, known as bracteates, feature runic inscriptions and mythological motifs that have led to new discoveries. Odin's Man in Vindelev The discovery of such a large amount of gold indicates that Vindelev was a power center in the late Iron Age. Only a member of the society's absolute elite could have amassed such a treasure. However, it wasn't just the size of the gold medallions from the Vindelev Hoard that amazed experts. One of the runic inscriptions turned out to be the world's oldest reference to the god Odin. "He is Odin's man," reads one of the large gold bracteates from the Vindelev Hoard, as concluded by rune expert Lisbeth Imer and linguist Krister Vasshus. This is the world's oldest inscription mentioning the name Odin, pushing back the timeline of Norse mythology by 150 years to the early 5th century. Just under 8 kilometers from Jelling, which many generations later in the 10th century became the cradle of Denmark, there was already a powerful chieftain in the 5th century who managed to create wealth and attract skilled artisans. For unknown reasons, he chose to bury this large gold hoard in the early 500s. Perhaps to hide it in case of war or as an offering to higher powers. Excavation After 8 Months of Secrecy The gold saw the light of day again during the Christmas holidays of 2020 when Ole Ginnerup Schytz and Jørgen Antonsen were metal detecting on the latter's field in Vindelev. It was Ole's first time using his newly acquired metal detector. The site was excavated in August 2021 by archaeologists from Vejlemuseerne, in collaboration with experts from the National Museum and with funding from the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces. The investigations revealed that the hoard was buried in a longhouse in a village around 1500 years ago. The research and the many collected samples and data will provide invaluable knowledge about the contexts and circumstances that led to the hoard being buried by a chieftain during the Iron Age. A Chaotic Time Many of Scandinavia's largest gold finds date back to the mid-6th century when the ash cloud from a major volcanic eruption in 536 AD created a global climate catastrophe with many years of crop failure and famine. Dating suggests that this hoard was buried during this chaotic period in world history. According to many researchers, the climate catastrophe in 536 led the inhabitants of what is now Denmark to reject the old rulers and bury large amounts of gold during this period. Perhaps to hide it from enemies, or to appease the gods. More than 40 kg of gold from these centuries in the Iron Age has been found. However, the size, quantity, and technical details of the objects in the hoard found at Vindelev are unique, placing the discovery at the absolute top. The Gold Drew Record Crowds in Vejle In 2022, the Vindelev Hoard was exhibited as part of Vejlemuseerne's large Viking exhibition 'Power and Gold - Vikings in the East.' The exhibition told the story of Harald Bluetooth's eastern connections and the early state formation that laid the foundation for the Jelling dynasty. The exhibition set a record for visitors at the Vejle Art Museum, where the hoard was displayed, doubling the museum's attendance. | 
