Nydam Mose, Archaeological site and bog in Øster Sottrup, Denmark.
Nydam Mose is a bog and archaeological site in southern Jutland where marshy ground now covers what was once a narrow fjord inlet. The area is accessible by marked paths and provides access to excavation zones where large quantities of Iron Age artifacts have been uncovered.
The site served as a place of ritual sacrifice between 200 and 400 CE, where defeated warriors threw their weapons and boats into the shallow water. This practice reflected the religious customs of the Germanic peoples living there, honoring their gods or marking military victories.
The name refers to the bog's shape, resembling a narrow inlet. The discovery of weapons and ships shows how people expressed reverence for supernatural forces through valuable offerings.
The terrain is swampy and wet, so sturdy footwear and possibly waterproof clothing are advisable. Well-marked walking routes are available, but plan realistic timeframes since moving through boggy ground requires slower, more careful steps.
A fully preserved wooden galley about 23 meters long was excavated there and displays remarkably detailed carving and construction methods. This discovery ranks among the few intact ships from that period and allowed experts to understand the naval skills of that era for the first time.
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