Mysterious amulet which looks like Thor's hammer has been unearthed

For Marvel fans who are particularly interested in Thor, this news might intrigue you! This new discovery is less full of special effects but at least it's real. A mysterious relic in the shape of a hammer (sound familiar?) could tell us more about the rites and traditions of the Viking empire.

Sweden, the land of the Vikings

In Ysby, Sweden. Land of the Viking populations, just like Iceland, Norway and Finland, the blond-bearded warriors lived here from 700 AD until the 11th century. It was atthis archaeological site in Halland County that the artefact was discovered. The first ever found at this location!

More widely located on the west coast of Götaland, in the southwest of the country, this is where the amulet was hidden. The relic, in the shape of Thor's hammer, is a well-known symbol of Norse mythology.

According to the press release from the cultural department of the Halland History Museum (Kulturmiljö Halland), Thor's hammer, called 'Mjölnir', was used by the God of Thunder to protect his home, Asgard, from the threatening giants. This must have been no small task, even for the most powerful of the Norse warrior gods.

An artefact of protection?

The amulet fits in the palm of one hand and is only 3 centimetres long. The handle has a hole through which a rope or string is passed in order to wear it. It was most likely used as a pendant.

According to the archaeologists, this symbol of the hammer represents strength, and its mythological role for the son of Odin, the pendant was probably used as a protective amulet.

Archaeologists also assume that the necklace was worn to symbolize his adherence to the Norse gods in opposition to the growing Christianity. The 'old way' against the modern way of Christianity. But the excavations do not stop there. According to the press release from the city's culture department:

Previous archaeological research has uncovered settlements from the Stone and Iron Ages, but also from other periods of our history, including the Viking Age.

This article was translated from Gentside FR.

Sources used:

-GEO: une amulette en forme de marteau de Thor de l’ère viking découverte en Suède

-Kulturmiljö halland: Välbevarad Torshammare hittad i Ysby