In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have unearthed the oldest known inscription of Norse god Odin on a gold bracteate from the Vindelev find. This remarkable find pushes the origins of Norse mythology back to the 4th century, 150 years earlier than previously believed, and could reshape our understanding of ancient runic inscriptions.
The Vindelev treasure, one of Denmark’s largest and most stunning gold finds, was revealed in 2022. Containing almost a kilogram of gold, most of the material consists of saucer-sized, beautifully decorated medallions.
Advertisement
Script researchers have identified the inscription featuring Odin’s name on a gold bracteate. The text includes the phrase “He is Odin’s man” and refers to a portrait of an unknown king or notable figure who might have had the nickname “Jaga” or “Jagaz.” This suggests that the gods of Norse mythology were recognized as early as the 4th century, a full 150 years earlier than previously thought.
The discovery was made by researchers Krister Vasshus and Lisbeth Imer, who are standing here with two bracteates from the Vindelev treasure. The one in Lisbeth’s hand has the inscription “He is Odin’s husband”. Photo: John Fhær Engedal Nissen, National Museum of Denmark.
Lisbeth Imer, a runologist and script researcher at the National Museum of Denmark, along with linguist Krister Vasshus, made this groundbreaking discovery.
Advertisement
“The runic inscription has been the most challenging to interpret in my 20 years as a runologist at the National Museum, but the discovery is absolutely fantastic. It is the first time Odin’s name has been recorded, pushing Norse mythology back to the beginning of the 4th century. This makes the Vindelev find even more remarkable. I haven’t seen such well-executed runes and such a long text from this period in Denmark since the golden horns. This may become key to understanding other prehistoric runic inscriptions,” says Imer.
Vasshus adds, “We’ve found proof in black and white, and it’s a huge discovery. I’m ecstatic. Such inscriptions are extremely rare, appearing perhaps once every 50 years, and this one has turned out to be of world historical significance.”
Previously, the oldest known inscription of Odin was from a buckle dated to the late 6th century in Nordendorf, Germany. In Denmark, the oldest inscription came from a 7th-century amulet found in Ribe.
The bract with the runic inscription “He is Odin’s Man.” Photo: Arnold Mikkelsen, National Museum of Denmark.
Challenges in Interpretation
The bracteate’s runic inscription is difficult to interpret due to its worn condition and the near-total erasure of some runes. Additionally, the text lacks spaces between words and is written in a language that has evolved significantly over the past 1500 years.
Advertisement
“Not only has the language structure evolved enormously since the 4th century, but many words have also fallen out of use,” Vasshus explains. “Typically, runic inscriptions are short and similar, but this one is long and full of new words, making it particularly challenging to decipher. This interpretation is a significant achievement that will help us understand other runic inscriptions on bracteates.”
Over 1000 bracteates have been discovered across Northern Europe, with more than 200 featuring inscriptions. However, most runic inscriptions on bracteates are either short, sacred words or distorted versions of once-legible texts.
The back of the bracteate with the runic inscription “He is Odin’s Man”. Photo: Arnold Mikkelsen, National Museum of Denmark
A Historical Connection
The interpretation has also resolved several mysteries. Another bracteate from the Vindelev find features a copy of the inscription, but with poorer quality and less legible runes. This copy was found in 1852 at Bolbro near Odense and had been part of the National Museum’s collection for 170 years without being deciphered—until now.
Advertisement
Additionally, a third bracteate from the Vindelev find shares similarities with one found in Funen in 1689, previously thought to reference Odin. However, this has been corrected to mean “the beloved,” possibly referring to the horse or the person depicted.
For around 150 years, scholars debated whether figures on bracteates represented Odin. Given the depiction of “Odin’s man” and the name “Jaga” or “Jagaz,” it is likely a king akin to Roman medallions portraying Caesar, suggesting divine legitimacy from Odin and potentially indicating supreme cult leadership.
The Vindelev find’s vast amount of gold and large, thick bracteates indicate the wealth and status of the individual, likely a prominent leader with extensive connections across Denmark and Europe.
Dane Willerslev, Director of the National Museum of Denmark, views the discovery as a major breakthrough. “It is an incredible find that enhances our understanding of the past and revises both Danish and world history. It’s fantastic that the museum’s researchers are achieving results that resonate globally,” Willerslev comments.
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have unearthed the oldest known inscription of Norse god Odin on a gold bracteate from the Vindelev find. This remarkable find pushes the origins of Norse mythology back to the 4th century, 150 years earlier than previously believed, and could reshape our understanding of ancient runic inscriptions.
The Vindelev treasure, one of Denmark’s largest and most stunning gold finds, was revealed in 2022. Containing almost a kilogram of gold, most of the material consists of saucer-sized, beautifully decorated medallions.
Script researchers have identified the inscription featuring Odin’s name on a gold bracteate. The text includes the phrase “He is Odin’s man” and refers to a portrait of an unknown king or notable figure who might have had the nickname “Jaga” or “Jagaz.” This suggests that the gods of Norse mythology were recognized as early as the 4th century, a full 150 years earlier than previously thought.
Lisbeth Imer, a runologist and script researcher at the National Museum of Denmark, along with linguist Krister Vasshus, made this groundbreaking discovery.
“The runic inscription has been the most challenging to interpret in my 20 years as a runologist at the National Museum, but the discovery is absolutely fantastic. It is the first time Odin’s name has been recorded, pushing Norse mythology back to the beginning of the 4th century. This makes the Vindelev find even more remarkable. I haven’t seen such well-executed runes and such a long text from this period in Denmark since the golden horns. This may become key to understanding other prehistoric runic inscriptions,” says Imer.
Vasshus adds, “We’ve found proof in black and white, and it’s a huge discovery. I’m ecstatic. Such inscriptions are extremely rare, appearing perhaps once every 50 years, and this one has turned out to be of world historical significance.”
Previously, the oldest known inscription of Odin was from a buckle dated to the late 6th century in Nordendorf, Germany. In Denmark, the oldest inscription came from a 7th-century amulet found in Ribe.
Challenges in Interpretation
The bracteate’s runic inscription is difficult to interpret due to its worn condition and the near-total erasure of some runes. Additionally, the text lacks spaces between words and is written in a language that has evolved significantly over the past 1500 years.
“Not only has the language structure evolved enormously since the 4th century, but many words have also fallen out of use,” Vasshus explains. “Typically, runic inscriptions are short and similar, but this one is long and full of new words, making it particularly challenging to decipher. This interpretation is a significant achievement that will help us understand other runic inscriptions on bracteates.”
Over 1000 bracteates have been discovered across Northern Europe, with more than 200 featuring inscriptions. However, most runic inscriptions on bracteates are either short, sacred words or distorted versions of once-legible texts.
A Historical Connection
The interpretation has also resolved several mysteries. Another bracteate from the Vindelev find features a copy of the inscription, but with poorer quality and less legible runes. This copy was found in 1852 at Bolbro near Odense and had been part of the National Museum’s collection for 170 years without being deciphered—until now.
Additionally, a third bracteate from the Vindelev find shares similarities with one found in Funen in 1689, previously thought to reference Odin. However, this has been corrected to mean “the beloved,” possibly referring to the horse or the person depicted.
For around 150 years, scholars debated whether figures on bracteates represented Odin. Given the depiction of “Odin’s man” and the name “Jaga” or “Jagaz,” it is likely a king akin to Roman medallions portraying Caesar, suggesting divine legitimacy from Odin and potentially indicating supreme cult leadership.
The Vindelev find’s vast amount of gold and large, thick bracteates indicate the wealth and status of the individual, likely a prominent leader with extensive connections across Denmark and Europe.
Dane Willerslev, Director of the National Museum of Denmark, views the discovery as a major breakthrough. “It is an incredible find that enhances our understanding of the past and revises both Danish and world history. It’s fantastic that the museum’s researchers are achieving results that resonate globally,” Willerslev comments.
Related Posts
Subscribe to Medievalverse