Posted on 03/17/2016 12:25:44 PM PDT by Red Badger
A cross discovered by an amateur Danish archaeologist may "change history" according to an expert, who believes the cross may date from before Christianity is thought to have reached Denmark.
An amateur archaeologist on the island of Funen made a startling discovery last week – a necklace resembling Jesus on the cross. But after posting a picture of the discovery on Facebook, Dennis Fabricius Holm quickly found that the item may have a lot more significance than he had initially thought.
“I finished work early last Friday, so I decided to spend a couple of hours searching with my metal detector,” Holm told national broadcaster DR.
“Suddenly I hit upon something,” continued Holm. “Ever since I turned over the clump of earth and saw the cross, I’ve been unable to think of anything else.”
Malene Refshauge Beck, archaeologist with East Funen Museums (Østfyns Museer) told DR that she agreed that the necklace is likely to prove a memorable discovery.
“This is a sensational find that dates from the first half of the 10th century BCE,” Beck told DR. “There is a near identical figure, found in Sweden, which has been dated to this period.”
The discovery of Christian artefacts from this period in Denmark is particularly remarkable as it predates the Jelling Stone, the giant carved rune stone from the year 965 that is considered to be the earliest Danish representation of Jesus on the cross.
“This figure may therefore result in us reconsidering the date Danes are believed to have become Christian,” said Beck. “The person who wore it would undoubtedly have adhered to the Christian faith.”
While pieces from the period depicting crosses as well as fragments of a piece of jewellery that appeared to depict Jesus have been discovered in the past, the new find is by far the most well-preserved and clear, according to Beck.
The figure will now be further examined at the museum and will go on display at the Ladby Viking Museum this summer.
The Aunslev Cross may be about to change Danish history. Photo: Østfyns Museer
The cleaned up crucifix, found by an amateur metal detector The Viking Museum Ladby
PinGGG!.......................
Aliens...
looks a little like a ginger bread cookie.
great artwork though.
Maybe. Or maybe it is just something that Viking raiders found attractive when they were pillaging Christian lands circa 900 ad.
WOW
Look at the detail...
I just see a primitive man with his arms out stretched.
I dont see how this can be considered a crucifix at all.
Bingo! Score!!!
My thoughts too.
> “...BCE...”
Uh-huh ...
Or maybe they found who was wearing it attractive.
Look at the fingers, they appear to be nailed to a board.
I just see a primitive man with his arms out stretched.
I dont see how this can be considered a crucifix at all.
I agree. That is not a Crucifix.
The dates are all messed up. 1,100 years ago, or 10th century BCE?? Surely they meant AD?
Hey, there IS a reason some of the most beautiful women in the world come from countries which produced the vikings. They knew how to cherry-pick in more ways than one. :->
It is stated that Leif Ericsson was Christian, when he sailed to Canada, in the year 1,000 AD.
Doesn’t look much like a crucifix to me. The figure is so stylized, it is hard to even say it is meant to be human. The only resemblance I see to the typical Christian iconography is the cross shape and the posture, but it could just as well be an idol of something with outstretched arms as a depiction of a man on a crucifix.
If it is a crucifix, it must be an early one made by local craftsmen, because by that time, Christian iconography following the normal traditions would look much different than this.
And/Or, found the message given by the one who was wearing it attractive — a case of private evangelism. Denmark might have had to wait until later to get missionaries, though. I’d be more curious about bible fragments found in Denmark.
Huh? Today is March 17, the Year of our Lord 2016.
1,100 years ago was 916 A.D.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.