History: Crucifix discovery affects Viking Christianity

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Weighing just 13.2 grams and 4.1cm in length, the figure is made of finely articulated goldthreads and tiny fillagree pellets. It is smooth on the reverse side but has a small eye at the top for a chain. It was probably worn by a Viking woman. The dating of the crucifix, estimated at being from 900 – 950AD, is significant because it would indicate Danes embraced Christianity earlier than previously thought. At the moment, the Jelling Stones - two large runestones erected in 965AD in Jutland - are thought to be the oldest known representation of Jesus on a cross in Denmark.

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Christian missionaries had been present in the country for around two hundred years before then, but had failed to convert the Vikings. However, pressures from Christian trade partners to convert, and in particular, influence from the Kingdom of Germany to the south, meant that most Danes were Christian by the end of the Viking period in 1050.

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“This is a subject that certainly will have to appear in the history books in the future,” said Ms Beck. “In recent years there has been more and more signs that Christianity was widespread earlier than previously thought - and here the clearest evidence so far.”

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