Hiker finds 6th c. gold sword fitting

"The ornamentation consists of a stylized animal motif created in looped and knotted gold ribbons with finely beaded gold threads overlaid on some of the lines. This filigree required a high degree of skill and is rare in works from the period. While the surface is very worn, it's possible to make out two animals face each other in profile, one with the head against the bottom edge, the other with the head against the top edge."

"One of only 18 similar examples found in Northern Europe, the intricately decorated artifact is so rare, the sword it was mounted on had to have belonged to a member of the regional elite, likely a local chieftain, during the Migration Period."

"This is the third elite artifact found in the marshes at the base of Riaren. A silver necklace with gold decorations was unearthed during ploughing in the 19th century, and a large Roman bronze cauldron manufactured on the Rhine around 300 A.D. was found on a farm in 1907. All three are believed to have been deliberately deposited as offerings to the gods in hard times."

A hiker in Sandnes, Norway discovered a 6th century gold sword scabbard fitting beneath fallen tree roots at Riaren hill. Measuring 6 cm by 2 cm and weighing 33 grams, the artifact features intricate filigree work with stylized animal motifs created from looped and knotted gold ribbons with beaded gold threads. The zoomorphic designs date the piece to the first half of the 6th century. As one of only 18 similar examples found in Northern Europe, the fitting indicates the sword belonged to a regional elite member, likely a local chieftain. This is the third elite artifact discovered at Riaren's marshes, alongside a 19th century silver and gold necklace and a 1st century Roman bronze cauldron. Archaeologists believe these items were deliberately deposited as religious offerings during difficult times.

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