(ORDO NEWS) — Scientists have discovered the oldest material evidence of the existence of the cult of Odin and Thor.
The gold bracteate discovered has been dated to around 400 AD.
Bracteates are often called gold and silver coins of the Middle Ages, but initially, in the era of the Migration of Peoples, this word denoted wearable jewelry similar to medallions.
Including they were worn among the Vikings. The discovered artifact is engraved with runes describing the local ruler as a “man of Odin”.
Bracteate has been known for a long time, but for a long time scientists could not read the inscription on it.
“The runic inscription was the most difficult I have ever had to translate in all my years as a runologist at the National Museum of Denmark,” says scholar Lisbeth Ymer.
“This will help us understand other prehistoric runic inscriptions that we have not yet been able to read.”
This inscription is the oldest mention of Odin, despite the fact that earlier scientists believed that this cult arose 150 years later.
In Viking mythology, Odin is the supreme god who rules over Valhalla, the hall of the slain in battle, while Thor creates thunder by driving his chariot through the clouds and swinging a giant hammer.
These two gods were considered the most important in the authentic Scandinavian religion that preceded Christianity.
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