The first search trip of the spring immediately yielded results, when Michael Finnberg’s metal detector hit a Viking-era cache. The Viking Age was lived at the end of the Iron Age, from about the 8th century to the 11th century.
A Viking bracelet in itself is already a wonderful find. In this case, the fact that a ring was strung on the second ring adds value. Michael Finnberg
A Viking Age cache was found in the stick, which contained at least two bracelets. What makes the find special is that there was a ring strung on the second ring. Based on the size, one could assume that the bracelets belonged to a child.
A metal detectorist Michael Finnberg says that over the years he has learned to understand where the people of the past probably moved. However, this discovery was an exception due to its location.
– The place was special because there was no direct water connection. Searches are usually carried out around waterways. This was not exactly the most traditional places to visit. However, the place was a wonderful southern slope, from which there is a view of the church of Sauvo.
“One stab of a shovel”
First, a spearhead was found in the area, so Finnberg thought that there was a cemetery there. However, no other items related to the cemetery were found in the area, so he continued down the slope. Then the metal detector beeped again. Finnberg thought it was trash, but a surprising object rose from the ground.
– One poke of the shovel and two fist-sized stones rose up. At the same time, that trash also rose up. It didn’t immediately occur to me what it was.
The object thought to be trash was indeed a bracelet with a ring strung through it. There was also another bracelet on the ground.
– I tried the pit again with the metal detector and more signal came from there. There is no information about them now, when they are deeper in the soil.
According to the National Museum Agency’s instructions, the discovery site should not be excavated to reveal more discoveries, but the National Museum Agency should be notified immediately.
According to Finnberg, after the discovery, the mood on a scale of 1–10 was 10 and a half. After nine years in the hobby, this find goes to the searcher’s top finds.
– You don’t come across many people like that during your career. It’s a great feeling, he rejoices.
The discovery raises several questions
Amanuensis of the Archaeological Collections of the National Museum Office Sami Raninen confirms that at least some of the finds definitely come from the Viking Age. Since a ring was strung on the second bracelet, Raninen does not believe that there is a grave there – the discovery strongly points to a cache.
– It would be strange to put a bracelet with a ring threaded through it to the grave of the deceased. According to the preliminary assessment, it is probably some kind of cache.
You can’t be sure about that until an archaeologist has examined the area.
The frost on the stick had already melted enough for metal detecting. Sauvo is located about 40 kilometers from Turku. Michael Finnberg
According to Raninen, the most interesting thing about the find is that the Viking Age is usually associated with the hiding of silver coins and jewelry, but in this case it is a case of simpler objects made of copper alloy metal.
– It opens a new perspective on why objects were hidden in the Viking Age. This raises several questions. Was it saving when there were no bank vaults, or is there a religious thought behind it, that caches have been dug into the ground as a sacrificial gift to a being in the afterlife? There are many fascinating questions here, and each discovery brings us closer to the answers to these questions.
In 2020, Finnberg found a Viking Age ax in Lieto. The ax in the picture is a straight-sided Scandinavian axe. Jani Leivo
A rare spearhead
In connection with the bracelets, a spearhead was also found in the same area, which according to Raninen is a rarer model.
– The timing of the spearhead is still unclear, but it is also very old. It may also be connected to these other clearly Viking-era objects.
The spiky shape of the spearhead is rare, at least in the Northern Finland region. According to Raninen, the harpoon-like model in question was not very typical in the Viking Age.
– Similar spearheads are more characteristic in the north, for example in Kainuu, where the culture of hunting and fishing has been stronger. Of course, even in Finland proper during the Viking Age, people hunted a lot. Maybe it could be some kind of harpoon tip, since seal hunting was part of the Viking Age economy, Raninen estimates.
In addition to hunting, the spear may also have been used in battles. The barb gives the spear a property that burdens the enemy.
– If a spear has been thrown, for example, into an enemy’s shield, it is more difficult to pull it off because of the barb, which of course also hinders the use of the shield, Raninen reflects.
According to Finnberg, the spearhead was found about 30 meters from the cache. Michael Finnberg
IF YOU FIND A HISTORICAL ITEM
A 100-year-old or older object found or a piece of such is reported immediately to the Finnish Museum Agency. The notification can be made in the Ilppari service of the Finnish Museum Agency.
If the object is fragile and in danger of breaking, it is best to leave it on the ground and report it only as found information. The finds are delivered to the Museum Agency in an uncleaned state. Unnecessary touching of the object should be avoided.
The discovery site should not be excavated to reveal more discoveries, as it may be a solid ancient relic protected by the Antiquities Act.
If the found object is less than 100 years old and its owner is not known, it is a found object within the meaning of the Found Property Act, which is managed with the police authority. Military material younger than the First World War is reported to the defense, police, border or customs authorities.
Source: Museum Agency.
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