According to Live Science Dennis Fabricius Holm, an amateur metal detector hobbyist, found the beautiful object while taking an afternoon off work in the village of Aunslev.
The cross is some 1.6 inches (4.1 cm) long and shows a Christ figure with his arms outstretched. The figure of Jesus is skilfully crafted out of highly complex period goldwork. It weights about 0.46 ounces (13.2 g).
Malene Refshauge Beck, a curator and archaeologist at a curator and archaeologist at Østfyns Museum in Denmark said the crucifix likely belonged to a wealthy Viking woman.The town and village are on the Island of Fyn in south-eastern Denmark. Beck said:
“It’s a completely sensational find that dates back to the first half of the 900s. This object will definitely need to figure in future history books as it could alter the period when it is believed that Danes became Christian.”
Of course, she added that wearing the crucifix didn’t prove the woman was Christian, but she could well have been. The phenomenon of individuals converting to Christianity before their people were Christianised is a widespread phenomenon in Europe. Beck added:
“This object will definitely need to figure in future history books as it could alter the period when it is believed that Danes became Christian. Over the last few years there have been more and more signs that Christianity was spread earlier than previously thought – and up until now, this find is the clearest proof of that.”
According to Ancient Origins, Denmark was the first of the Scandinavian Viking cultures to become Christian, although the religion took centuries to take root.
The Ladby Viking Museum website says similar crosses have been found in Ketting and Birka, both well-known Viking sites. (Birka was the effective “capital” of the Swedish Vikings.)
Until this discovery, the oldest Christian imagery in Denmark had been the Jelling Stones, made for King Harald Bluetooth, who converted to Christianity and began the process of uniting and Christianising his country.
