Ancient Neck Rings Discovered in Sweden
Recently, Swedish archaeologists made an intriguing find: two rare neck rings, estimated to be over 2,500 years old, were uncovered within an ancient tombstone.
The consultancy involved, Archeologerna, shared news of this discovery in early May. The rings were found in Marby, near Norrköping in eastern Sweden, an area that at one time was situated close to a bay.
According to officials, the excavation site appeared to be just a typical tree-covered hillside when they began their work. Over the past few weeks, the team has been exploring a larger archaeological landscape east of Norrköping—including late Bronze Age tombs, rock carvings, and settlement sites.
As the excavation continues, it’s noted that the area, once close to the sea, is now the site of planned housing development. Officials believe the rings may have been buried as ritual offerings long ago.
Identified as Wendell rings, these objects are considered unique bronze ornaments from the final stage of the Bronze Age. They feature a twisted design where the cast bronze alternates between right-handed and left-handed twists. Alf Erickson, the excavation leader, mentioned that finding two such rings together in a tombstone is quite rare and perhaps even unprecedented.
“Men can now wear collars, at least in ceremonial situations,” Erickson remarked, highlighting how historically, these rings were often linked to women, though there are instances suggesting men may have worn them in rituals.
Interestingly, the pieces are described as being in “good condition,” although one ring is noted to be more ornate and in better shape than the other. Erickson said that the more well-preserved ring is “broken in half.”
During this excavation, the team has also found evidence of human cremation practices, which includes “placental deposits from cremated human bones.” They hadn’t anticipated a discovery like this, and it seems they’re still processing the implications of their findings.
The work being done here is not just about these neck rings; it’s part of a broader investigation into what appears to be a complex and symbolically rich culture. This endeavor is significant, marking the first time such findings have been recorded in a modern archaeological framework in Sweden.
In addition to the rings, archaeologists uncovered remnants of a house and examined two burned mounds made of stones cracked by fire. This particular discovery aligns with other noteworthy archeological finds in Sweden over the past year. Notably, a cauldron filled with medieval jewelry and coins was discovered last year by a person digging for fishing bugs near Stockholm County, alongside the remains of a forgotten 16th-century city found beneath modern Gothenburg.
