Hoenskatten, Viking treasure discovery site in Øvre Eiker, Norway
Hoenskatten is a Viking hoard containing around 200 objects, including gold and silver pieces, necklaces, rings, and a triangular brooch from the Carolingian period. The collection displays the variety of jewelry styles and the skilled metalwork that Vikings valued and traded.
The hoard was discovered in 1834 when a farm worker uncovered it while digging a ditch, revealing the largest Viking gold treasure of the region. The discovery led to a fair sharing of the reward between the finder and the landowner.
The collection includes items from distant lands like England and the Frankish kingdoms, showing how far Viking trade routes extended. These objects reveal the connections Vikings maintained with people and craftsmen across Europe.
The complete collection is displayed at the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo, where you can view all the pieces together. This museum setting allows you to examine the craftsmanship and see how these objects fit into the Viking world.
Around 20 coins in the collection were deliberately modified to be worn as necklace elements, turning currency into wearable adornments. This reveals how Vikings adapted practical objects to suit their personal needs and tastes.
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