Amulets - The Viking Age Compendium

Amulets
Amulet Typology

Necklaces
► Necklace Images Amulets Pendants Thor's Hammers Valkyrie and other Human Amulets

Amulet Typology
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Viking Age Compendium articles on Necklaces:

Amulets

Viking Age Compendium articles on Necklaces:

Amulets

This article is primarily based on the work of:

Jensen, Bo (2010) Viking Age Amulets in Scandinavia and Western Europe.. British Archaeological Reports: BAR S2169

This article is primarily based on the work of:

Jensen, Bo (2010) Viking Age Amulets in Scandinavia and Western Europe.. British Archaeological Reports: BAR S2169

Amulets are classed as protective items and usually are in the shape of a specific object.
Pendants may or may not be protective items and are generally more stylistic or are items that have been repurposed.

Thor's Hammers

See main article: Thor's Hammers

England, Cuerdale
England, Norwich
England, Norwich
Norway
Sweden
England, Norwich
England, Norwich
Denmark, Hedeby
Denmark, Hedeby
Sweden

Valkyrie and other Human Amulets

See main article: Valkyrie and other Human Amulets

PAS
PAS
England, Norwich
Denmark, Hedeby
England, Norwich
PAS

Miniature Weapons

Miniature axes

Archaeology
Discussion

Miniature spears

Archaeology
Discussion

Miniature swords

Archaeology
Discussion

Other animal figurines

Archaeology
Discussion

Snake figurines (V/F)

Archaeology
^{[JENSEN 2010]:p.37-39}

England, 1 find of jet
Ireland, 3 finds, 2 of wood, 1 of stone
Denmark, 4 finds, 1 of copper alloy, 2 of silver, 1 unknown, 1 from a woman’s grave
Norway, 4 finds, 1 of copper alloy, 1 of silver, 1 of gold, 1 of jet, 3 from women’s graves
Sweden, 3 finds of silver, 2 found in women’s graves

Discussion

Miniature shields (V/F)

Archaeology
^{[JENSEN 2010]:p.49-51}

Denmark, 23 finds, 11 of copper alloy,11 of silver, 1 of unknown
Norway, 2 finds, 1 of copper alloy, 1 of silver, 1 from a woman’s grave
- Norway, Hedmark: Flagstad Parish Universitetsmuseene
Scania (Sweden), 4 finds of silver
Sweden, 38 finds, 1 of copper alloy, 37 of silver, 18 from women’s grave
Gotland (Sweden), 6 finds, 3 of copper alloy, 3 of silver [ARWIDSSON 1989: p.9-18]
Russia, 7 finds
Arland (Finland), 1 find

Discussion
Arwidsson has described the finds from Birka: 16 were found all of silver. 15 from women’s graves and one from a child’s grave. Dated to the mid C10th to mid C11th. 8 were found between oval brooches and 5 as part of bead necklaces. They seem to be a Swedish / Danish item and are interpreted as symbolic miniature shields always with a clockwise whorl. Some even have signs that the makers have tried to incorporate a shield grip on the reverse. [ARWIDSSON 1989: p.9-18] ^{[ARBMAN 1940]:pl.97}

Birka Gr.954
Birka Gr.817

Bowls, sieves and spoons

Bowls (V/F)

Archaeology
^{[JENSEN 2010]}

Denmark, 2 finds of silver, 1 from a woman’s grave
Norway, 8 finds of gold all from Hoen hoard
Sweden, 12 finds, 10 of silver, 2 of lead, 9 from women’s graves
Gotland, 2 finds of silver

Discussion

Sieves

Archaeology
^{[JENSEN 2010]}

Norway, 4 finds, 3 of gold from the Hoen hoard, 1 of silver
Sweden, 1 find of silver
Gotland, 5 finds, 2 of copper alloy, 3 of silver

Discussion

Spoons

Archaeology
^{[JENSEN 2010]}

Gotland, 2 finds, 1 of copper alloy, 1 of silver

Discussion

Chairs (V)

Archaeology
^{[JENSEN 2010]:p.58-61}

Denmark, 4 finds of silver, 2 found in woman’s graves, C10th
- Gravlev sogn. Silver, Hoard ^{[JENSEN 2010]:cat.115}
- Bornholms amt. Silver, Hoards ^{[JENSEN 2010]:cat.181}
- Års sogn. Silver, Hoard ^{[JENSEN 2010]:cat.206}
- Nørre Onsild sogn. Silver, Woman's grave. ^{[JENSEN 2010]:cat.207}
Germany
- Hedeby. Silver, grave. ^{[ROESDAHL & WILSON 1992]:cat. 187}
Gotland, 6 finds, 2 of copper alloy, 2 of silver, 2 of amber, 1 from a male grave, c.1000AD
- Fölhagen, Björke. SHM 3547. Silver, Hoard. ^{[JENSEN 2010]:cat.465} ^{[ROESDAHL & WILSON 1992]:cat.143} ^{[GRAHAM-CAMPBELL 1980]:cat.521} ^{[WOV 2003]:cat.753}
- Fölhagen, Björke. SHM 3547. Silver, Hoard. ^{[JENSEN 2010]:cat.1377} ^{[ROESDAHL & WILSON 1992]:cat.143}
- Hellvi. SHM 22917. Amber, grave. ^{[JENSEN 2010]:cat.499}
- Grötlingbo. SHM 32181. Amber, grave. ^{[JENSEN 2010]:cat.1629} Found in head region. Bhr 1966:08. ^{[RUNDKVIST 2003]:p.186}
- Hejnum. SHM 876. Copper Alloy, grave. Lost? ^{[JENSEN 2010]:cat.1410}
- Sanda. SHM 21187. Copper Alloy, stray. Part of an amulet set of a horse, sword, spear, chair & shield. ^{[JENSEN 2010]:cat.1846}
Sweden, 5 finds, 4 of silver, 3 from women’s graves, c.750-975AD
- Edsberg. Silver, hoard ^{[JENSEN 2010]:cat.570}
- Birka. SHM 34000. Silver, grave Bj.968 ^{[JENSEN 2010]:cat.847} ^{[GRAHAM-CAMPBELL 1980]:cat.520} ^{[WOV 2003]:cat.5288} ^{[ARBMAN 1940]:Taf.92.14} (SHM Online) (Birka Burials Online)
- Birka. SHM 34000. Silver, grave Bj.844 ^{[JENSEN 2010]:cat.829} (Birka Burials Online)
- Birka. SHM 34000. Silver, grave Bj.632. Part of a Treasure Necklace. ^{[JENSEN 2010]:cat.798} (Birka Burials Online)
- Langlöt. Amber, grave ^{[JENSEN 2010]:cat.1331}

Discussion

Miniature wheels (V)

Silver or copper alloy
Archaeology
^{[JENSEN 2010]:p.63}

Denmark, 4 finds of copper alloy, 750-1100AD
Skane, 1 find of silver, C10th
Norway, 2 finds, 1 of copper alloy, 1 of silver, C10th
Sweden, 3 finds, 1 of copper alloy, 2 of silver, 2 found in women’s graves, 750-975AD

Discussion
Dated by Jensen to 900-950AD. ^{[JENSEN 2010]:p.63}