Difference between revisions of "Thor's Hammers"
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− | {{Stars2|Category = Necklaces|Typology = | + | {{Stars2|Category = Necklaces|Typology = Amulet Typology|TypologyFile = Amulets.png}} |
+ | {{Necklace}} | ||
+ | {{MajorRef|Jensen 2010}} | ||
''A pendant roughly shaped like a hammer. Usually worn with the hammer head suspended downwards. ''<br> | ''A pendant roughly shaped like a hammer. Usually worn with the hammer head suspended downwards. ''<br> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
− | Depictions of Thor’s hammers can be seen on Viking rune stones. They are usually cast but can be cut from sheet, formed from hammered rod or soldered together from chased sheet-silver. Thor’s hammers can be broken into three categories, plain, punch worked or filigree. | + | Depictions of Thor’s hammers can be seen on Viking rune stones. They are usually cast but can be cut from sheet, formed from hammered rod or soldered together from chased sheet-silver. Thor’s hammers can be broken into three categories, plain, punch worked or filigree. [ROESDAHL and WILSON 1992: p.190]<br> |
<br> | <br> | ||
Line 13: | Line 15: | ||
===Loose=== | ===Loose=== | ||
+ | ''Staecker Type 1.1'' [JENSEN 2010:p.72]<br> | ||
+ | Dated by Staecker 800s - 900s.<br> | ||
+ | <br> | ||
'''Archaeology'''<br> | '''Archaeology'''<br> | ||
− | * England, | + | * England, 1 |
* Denmark, 53 | * Denmark, 53 | ||
* Germany, 5 | * Germany, 5 | ||
Line 24: | Line 29: | ||
===Thor’s hammer rings=== | ===Thor’s hammer rings=== | ||
+ | Earliest find 750AD. 800s - 1000s with most from the 900s.[JENSEN 2010:p.72]<br> | ||
+ | <br> | ||
'''Archaeology'''<br> | '''Archaeology'''<br> | ||
*Scotland, 1 find | *Scotland, 1 find | ||
Line 35: | Line 42: | ||
Unfortunately Jensen does not supply any information regarding the number of silver Thor’s hammers that fall into Staecker four sub categories. <br> | Unfortunately Jensen does not supply any information regarding the number of silver Thor’s hammers that fall into Staecker four sub categories. <br> | ||
'''Archaeology'''<br> | '''Archaeology'''<br> | ||
− | *England, | + | *England, 15 |
**Yorkshire, Leconfield. Ornamented with stamped circles (Staecker type 2.1.1) [JENSEN 2010:cat.436] | **Yorkshire, Leconfield. Ornamented with stamped circles (Staecker type 2.1.1) [JENSEN 2010:cat.436] | ||
**Yorkshire, Wetwang (Staecker type 1.5) [JENSEN 2010:cat.1403] | **Yorkshire, Wetwang (Staecker type 1.5) [JENSEN 2010:cat.1403] | ||
+ | **Yorkshire, Harrogate. Plain. Found in 2009. [PAS:cat.SWYOR-489283] | ||
**Derbyshire, St. Wigstan's. Grave find [JENSEN 2010:cat.427] | **Derbyshire, St. Wigstan's. Grave find [JENSEN 2010:cat.427] | ||
**Lancashire, Cuerdale. (Staecker type 1.5) [JENSEN 2010:cat.425] | **Lancashire, Cuerdale. (Staecker type 1.5) [JENSEN 2010:cat.425] | ||
− | **Leicestershire, Swithland. Stamped ornament of squares (Staecker type 2.1.1) [JENSEN 2010:cat.415] | + | **Leicestershire, Swithland. Stamped ornament of squares (Staecker type 2.1.1) [JENSEN 2010:cat.415] [PAS:cat.LEIC-185125] |
− | **Lincolnshire, West Lindsey. plain [PAS: | + | **Lincolnshire, West Lindsey. plain [PAS:cat.DENO-BD00C3] |
− | **Essex. Crude loop, | + | **Essex. Crude loop, plain (Staecker type 1.5) [JENSEN 2010:cat.413] |
**Norfolk, South Lopham. Stray find. (Staecker type 2.1.1) [JENSEN 2010:cat.418] | **Norfolk, South Lopham. Stray find. (Staecker type 2.1.1) [JENSEN 2010:cat.418] | ||
**Norfolk, Surlinham. Stray find. [MARGESON 1997: 14] (Staecker type 2.1.1) [JENSEN 2010:cat.419] | **Norfolk, Surlinham. Stray find. [MARGESON 1997: 14] (Staecker type 2.1.1) [JENSEN 2010:cat.419] | ||
Line 48: | Line 56: | ||
**Norfolk. With possible gold foil. Stray find. (Staecker type None) [JENSEN 2010:cat.423] | **Norfolk. With possible gold foil. Stray find. (Staecker type None) [JENSEN 2010:cat.423] | ||
**Norfolk, Sibton. Stray find. [MARGESON 1997: 14] (Staecker type 2.1.1) [JENSEN 2010:cat.424] | **Norfolk, Sibton. Stray find. [MARGESON 1997: 14] (Staecker type 2.1.1) [JENSEN 2010:cat.424] | ||
+ | **Norfolk, Kings Lynn. Found in 2008? [PAS:cat.NMS-A9E816] | ||
**London. Engraved X and lines (Staecker type 1.5) [JENSEN 2010:cat.411] | **London. Engraved X and lines (Staecker type 1.5) [JENSEN 2010:cat.411] | ||
Jensen mentions a couple of other finds, one from Cumbria cat.435 and another from an unknown location. He considers both of these to be modern replicas.<br> | Jensen mentions a couple of other finds, one from Cumbria cat.435 and another from an unknown location. He considers both of these to be modern replicas.<br> | ||
Line 61: | Line 70: | ||
Dated by Staecker 800s - 1000s with most coming from the 900s | Dated by Staecker 800s - 1000s with most coming from the 900s | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
− | + | Ha85.jpg|England, Cuerdale | |
− | + | Norwich-Thors Hammer-3.JPG|England, Norwich | |
− | + | Norwich-Thors Hammer-4-7.JPG|England, Norwich | |
+ | R679.jpg|Norway | ||
+ | M624.JPG|Sweden | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
Line 71: | Line 82: | ||
Dated by Staecker 900s - 1000s. | Dated by Staecker 900s - 1000s. | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
+ | Norwich-Thors Hammer-1.JPG|England, Norwich | ||
+ | Norwich-Thors Hammer-2.JPG|England, Norwich | ||
+ | Hedeby Thors hammer.JPG|Denmark, Hedeby | ||
M626.jpg | M626.jpg | ||
+ | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
Line 90: | Line 105: | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
+ | |||
==Thor's Hammers of Other Materials== | ==Thor's Hammers of Other Materials== | ||
===... amber=== | ===... amber=== | ||
− | C10th (but most examples cannot be dated)<br> | + | ''Staecker Type 1.2'' [JENSEN 2010:p.72]<br> |
+ | Dated by Staecker to the C10th (but most examples cannot be dated)<br> | ||
+ | <br> | ||
'''Archaeology'''<br> | '''Archaeology'''<br> | ||
*Denmark, 9 finds | *Denmark, 9 finds | ||
Line 100: | Line 118: | ||
*Gotland, 2 finds | *Gotland, 2 finds | ||
'''Discussion'''<br> | '''Discussion'''<br> | ||
+ | <gallery> | ||
+ | Hedeby Amber Thors hammer.JPG|Hedeby | ||
+ | </gallery> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
− | |||
===... copper alloy=== | ===... copper alloy=== | ||
− | + | ''Staecker Type 1.3'' [JENSEN 2010:p.72]<br> | |
+ | Dated by Staecker 700s - 800s. (He also mentions finds from the 'late Viking Age')<br> | ||
+ | <br> | ||
'''Archaeology'''<br> | '''Archaeology'''<br> | ||
*England, 4 finds | *England, 4 finds | ||
+ | ** Bishopstone, Sussex. Copper alloy, Settlement find [THOMAS 2010:p.106-108 fig.3]. | ||
+ | ** Kent. Female grave find. Excluded by Jensen [JENSEN 2010:cat.456] | ||
+ | ** Kent. Female grave find. Excluded by Jensen [JENSEN 2010:cat.457] | ||
+ | ** Kent. Female grave find. Excluded by Jensen [JENSEN 2010:cat.463] | ||
+ | ** Kent. Female grave find. Excluded by Jensen [JENSEN 2010:cat.454] | ||
*Denmark, 12 finds | *Denmark, 12 finds | ||
*Sweden, 2 finds | *Sweden, 2 finds | ||
*Gotland, 1 find | *Gotland, 1 find | ||
'''Discussion'''<br> | '''Discussion'''<br> | ||
+ | Jensen excludes the 4 finds from Kent from his catalog as his does not consider these to be connected to Scandinavian culture [JENSEN 2010:database entry description].<br> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
===... lead=== | ===... lead=== | ||
+ | ''Staecker Type 1.4'' [JENSEN 2010:p.72]<br> | ||
+ | Dated by Staecker to no later than the 1000s.<br> | ||
+ | <br> | ||
'''Archaeology'''<br> | '''Archaeology'''<br> | ||
*England, 2 finds | *England, 2 finds | ||
Line 128: | Line 159: | ||
==Reference== | ==Reference== | ||
− | + | {{Ref|Arwidsson 1984}} | |
− | + | {{Ref|Jensen 2010}} | |
− | + | {{Ref|Margeson 1997}} | |
− | + | {{Ref|PAS}} | |
− | + | {{Ref|Roesdahl & Wilson 1992}} | |
− | + | {{Ref|Thomas 2010}} | |
− | + | ||
− | + | <HarvardReferences /> |
Latest revision as of 15:23, 17 December 2016
Thor's Hammers |
---|
|
A pendant roughly shaped like a hammer. Usually worn with the hammer head suspended downwards.
Depictions of Thor’s hammers can be seen on Viking rune stones. They are usually cast but can be cut from sheet, formed from hammered rod or soldered together from chased sheet-silver. Thor’s hammers can be broken into three categories, plain, punch worked or filigree. [ROESDAHL and WILSON 1992: p.190]
Types of Thor’s hammers
The following style types are those devised by Staecker as listed by Jensen [JENSEN 2010]:p.72. Finds data is based on the database created by Jensen and only includes Thor’s hammers dateable to the Viking Age. For instance they do not contain 7th century Thor’s hammers from England.
Thor’s hammers of Iron
Loose
Staecker Type 1.1 [JENSEN 2010]:p.72
Dated by Staecker 800s - 900s.
Archaeology
- England, 1
- Denmark, 53
- Germany, 5
- Iceland, 1
- Scania, 3
- Sweden,65
Discussion
Thor’s hammer rings
Earliest find 750AD. 800s - 1000s with most from the 900s.[JENSEN 2010]:p.72
Archaeology
- Scotland, 1 find
- Sweden, 120 finds containing 321 Thor’s hammers
- Gotland, 1 find
Discussion
- Birka: 58 Thors hammer rings found. 95% in cremations. Of graves 11 on women, 9 on men. [ARWIDSSON 1984]:p.133
Thor's Hammers of silver
Unfortunately Jensen does not supply any information regarding the number of silver Thor’s hammers that fall into Staecker four sub categories.
Archaeology
- England, 15
- Yorkshire, Leconfield. Ornamented with stamped circles (Staecker type 2.1.1) [JENSEN 2010]:cat.436
- Yorkshire, Wetwang (Staecker type 1.5) [JENSEN 2010]:cat.1403
- Yorkshire, Harrogate. Plain. Found in 2009. [PAS]:cat.SWYOR-489283
- Derbyshire, St. Wigstan's. Grave find [JENSEN 2010]:cat.427
- Lancashire, Cuerdale. (Staecker type 1.5) [JENSEN 2010]:cat.425
- Leicestershire, Swithland. Stamped ornament of squares (Staecker type 2.1.1) [JENSEN 2010]:cat.415 [PAS]:cat.LEIC-185125
- Lincolnshire, West Lindsey. plain [PAS]:cat.DENO-BD00C3
- Essex. Crude loop, plain (Staecker type 1.5) [JENSEN 2010]:cat.413
- Norfolk, South Lopham. Stray find. (Staecker type 2.1.1) [JENSEN 2010]:cat.418
- Norfolk, Surlinham. Stray find. [MARGESON 1997]:14 (Staecker type 2.1.1) [JENSEN 2010]:cat.419
- Norfolk, Great Witchingham. With a gold insert. Stray find. (Staecker type None) [JENSEN 2010]:cat.422
- Norfolk. With possible gold foil. Stray find. (Staecker type None) [JENSEN 2010]:cat.423
- Norfolk, Sibton. Stray find. [MARGESON 1997]:14 (Staecker type 2.1.1) [JENSEN 2010]:cat.424
- Norfolk, Kings Lynn. Found in 2008? [PAS]:cat.NMS-A9E816
- London. Engraved X and lines (Staecker type 1.5) [JENSEN 2010]:cat.411
Jensen mentions a couple of other finds, one from Cumbria cat.435 and another from an unknown location. He considers both of these to be modern replicas.
http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/473580
- Denmark, 25
- Iceland, 1
- Norway, 5
- Sweden, 26
... silver, without ornaments
Staecker Type 1.5 [JENSEN 2010]:p.72
Dated by Staecker 800s - 1000s with most coming from the 900s
... silver with stamped ornaments
Staecker Type 2.1.1 [JENSEN 2010]:p.72
Dated by Staecker 900s - 1000s.
... silver with vegetable patterns
Staecker Type 2.2 [JENSEN 2010]:p.72
Dated by Staecker 900s - 1000s.
... pressed silver foil
Staecker Type 2.3 [JENSEN 2010]:p.72
Dated by Staecker 900s and probably the 1000s
Thor's Hammers of Other Materials
... amber
Staecker Type 1.2 [JENSEN 2010]:p.72
Dated by Staecker to the C10th (but most examples cannot be dated)
Archaeology
- Denmark, 9 finds
- Scandia, 1 find
- Sweden, 3 finds
- Gotland, 2 finds
Discussion
... copper alloy
Staecker Type 1.3 [JENSEN 2010]:p.72
Dated by Staecker 700s - 800s. (He also mentions finds from the 'late Viking Age')
Archaeology
- England, 4 finds
- Bishopstone, Sussex. Copper alloy, Settlement find [THOMAS 2010]:p.106-108 fig.3.
- Kent. Female grave find. Excluded by Jensen [JENSEN 2010]:cat.456
- Kent. Female grave find. Excluded by Jensen [JENSEN 2010]:cat.457
- Kent. Female grave find. Excluded by Jensen [JENSEN 2010]:cat.463
- Kent. Female grave find. Excluded by Jensen [JENSEN 2010]:cat.454
- Denmark, 12 finds
- Sweden, 2 finds
- Gotland, 1 find
Discussion
Jensen excludes the 4 finds from Kent from his catalog as his does not consider these to be connected to Scandinavian culture [JENSEN 2010]:database entry description.
... lead
Staecker Type 1.4 [JENSEN 2010]:p.72
Dated by Staecker to no later than the 1000s.
Archaeology
- England, 2 finds
- Denmark, 7 finds
- Gotland, 2 finds
Discussion
... gold
Archaeology
- Denmark, 1 find
Discussion
Reference