’Hammer of Thor’ unearthed: Runes on 1,000-year-old amulet solve mystery of why Viking charms were worn for protection
Source: dailymail.co.uk
In Norse mythology, Thor’s hammer helped prevent giants from destroying Asgard, the celestial home of the gods.Thousands of tiny intricate amulets, similar to this weapon, have been found all over the Viking world since the first millennium CE.
But for years, researchers have been unsure whether the amulets, known as ’torshammere’, were a representation of Thor’s hammer or something else entirely.
Researchers have been unsure whether the amulets, known as torshammere, were a representation of Thor’s hammer or something else entirely. Now archaeologists have unearthed a 10th century torshammere (pictured) on a Danish island that could finally end the debate
Now, archaeologists have unearthed a 10th century torshammere in Købelev, on the Danish island of Lolland, that could finally end the debate on how Thor’s legend influenced Viking jewellery.
The latest find is unusual as it has runes inscribed that reads ’Hmar x is’ meaning ’This is a Hammer’.
‘It was the amulet’s protective power that counted, and often we see torshammere and Christian crosses appearing together, providing double protection’, said Peter Pentz, an archaeologist at the National Museum of Denmark.
An unknown rune writer confirmed that the amulets depicts Thor’s hammer (illustration of hammer and runic text, pictured) - a lasting symbol of Viking culture. The fact that the person who made the hammer was literate is a source of fascination for archaeologists
Both sides of the amulet are shown here with runes seen on the left image. The latest find is unusual as it has runes inscribed that reads ’Hmar x is’ (This is a Hammer’)
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