An ancient hidden treasure. It was not a group of researchers who found it, but a German boy of only 13 years, passionate about archeology. It is that of the Viking king Harald Bluetooth, "Blue Tooth Herald"
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himAn ancient hidden treasure. It was not a seasoned group of researchers who found him, but a German boy of only 13 years. It is that of the Viking king Harald Bluetooth, "Herald Blue Tooth".
Luca Malaschnitschenko and archeology enthusiast René Schön have unearthed a significant mix of objects that may have belonged to the Danish king Harald Bluetooth. The latter introduced Christianity to Denmark.
The two were metal-detecting ancient objects on the northern island of Rügen in January when they came across what they initially thought was a piece of aluminum.
But upon closer inspection, they realized it was silver. Over the weekend, the regional archaeological service began an excavation covering 400 square meters of surface. And there the discovery: an enormous treasure that, according to a first analysis, belonged to the Danish king Harald Gormsson, better known as "Harry Bluetooth", who reigned from 985 to 986.
The treasure included intertwined necklaces, pearls, brooches, a Thor's hammer, rings and up to 600 coins, including more than 100 dating back to the era when Bluetooth reigned over a territory that includes present-day Denmark, northern Germany, southern Sweden and part of Norway.
"This treasure is the largest Bluetooth coin discovery in the southern Baltic Sea region and is therefore of great importance", he said principal archaeologist Michael Schirren.
The oldest coin is a Damascus dirham dating from 714, while the newest is a penny dating from 983.
The find suggests that the treasure may have been buried in the late 980s, which is also the time when Bluetooth fled to Pomerania, where he died in 987.
"We have here the rare case of a discovery that appears to support historical sources," said archaeologist Detlef Jantzen.
The Viking king was credited with having unified Denmark. He is also known for leaving the old Norse religion and introducing Christianity but was forced to flee to Pomerania after a rebellion led by his son Sven Gabelbart.
The lasting legacy of Bluetooth is found today in smartphones and PCs: wireless technology bears its name and the symbol is formed by the two runes that make up its initials HB.
READ also:
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Francesca Mancuso
Photo: Afp
