User:Bandingo664/The Kallerup find

The Kallerup find is a nordic bronze age find made in Kallerup in Thy in february 2019. It consists of four bronze artifacts: a ceremonial axe, a horned double-headed figurine and two double horse heads. They're dated to the younger part of the nordic bronze age (1000-500 BC) and constitutes a votive find.

The find was made by metal detectorist Peter Jensen when looking for debris from the bomber plane Stirling III BF461 shot down during World War II. The discovery of such a find is considered very rare, and in 2019 the find was on the annual list of the most spectacular archaeological finds. The list is published by The Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces.

The axe
The ceremonial axe of Kallerup is exceptional in its shape, but parallels could be made to the swedish petropglyhps such as The King's Grave. The cult axe which was solely used for religious ceremonies is adorned with spirals which is probably the most widespread symbol of the bronze age religion.

The figurines
The bronze figurine carries a horned helmet similar to the full sized Veksø Helmets and the small bronze figurines of Grevensvænge. The horned helmets are also depicted in swedish and iberian petroglyphs and bronze figures from the Nuragic civilisation on Sardinia. The figurine was made to be fitted on top of a shaft. The two faces are a clear reference fascination of duplicity and duality in the bronze age religion.

The same goes for the two pairs of horses standing side by side. They combine a snake body and a horse head.

List of references
