Student Finds 7 Viking Silver Arm Rings in Denmark

— A remarkable discovery of seven Viking-era silver arm rings was made by archaeology student Gustav Bruunsgaard near Aarhus, Denmark, earlier this year. The Moesgaard Museum announced the find, highlighting its historical significance and connections to regions including Russia, Ukraine, and the British Isles. Bruunsgaard, 22, utilized a metal detector and spade in an area recognized as a former Viking settlement, underscoring Aarhus's role as a central hub in the Viking world, according to historian Kasper H. Andersen. Dating back to approximately 800 CE, the arm rings are believed to belong to the early Viking era, which spanned from 793 CE to 1066 CE. The museum noted that one of the armlets is a known type originating from Viking settlements in present-day Russia and Ukraine, later replicated in the Nordic region. Three additional rings reflect a style prevalent in southern Scandinavia, likely Denmark, while the remaining three, though unadorned, are categorized as rare finds from Scandinavia and England. Weighing over 500 grams in total, the arm rings exemplify the Viking Age's valuation of silver, which served as a medium of exchange and a symbol of wealth. The Moesgaard Museum, renowned for its archaeological treasures, also houses the well-preserved Iron Age Grauballe Man, discovered in 1952, providing further insight into Denmark's rich historical narrative.