Viking, Celtic or Saxon artifacts?

[MaceHead]

I don't know if I'm here at the right place but maybe someone can identify these objects? (didn't dig them up personally) The spear (22cm) and the bone object (6cm) where found at the same site.

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/9526/afbeelding0057da.jpg
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/3853/afbeelding0123dc.jpg
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/9939/afbeelding0243xv.jpg
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/5927/afbeelding0255oe.jpg
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/236/afbeelding0307eq.jpg
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/5249/spear9nh.jpg

The last object is the strangest I think. It's probably some kind of weapon/arrow. It's made from Iron and 37cm long. Found in Germany. (also didn't dig it up personally) It cost me a lot of time to clean of the dirt before I saw it had a decorative design on both sides with gold metal strips.

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8887/q17xv.jpg
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/2826/q25jc.jpg
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3007/q39sl.jpg
http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/981/q46aa.jpg
http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/5894/q53si.jpg

 

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[Silver Searcher]

MaceHead, the spear looks like the bottom end off a Roman javelin, as for the bone artifact my guess would be Scandinavian, these would be my guesses for what it's worth, either way I would say that there are both museum pieces TK

 

[TreasureTales]

Welcome to the forum. Those are some very unusual items. Something from the Norsemen perhaps?

 

[dugupfinds]

The bone does indeed remind my of a Sandinavian God. With the beard & conical hat.

Need more info - where were they found & what other items where found with them?

 

[privateer]

Very nice finds.

 

[MaceHead]

Need more info - where were they found & what other items where found with them?

The spear and the bone object where found in England. I also got this silver pendant with it, but I don't know if that was found at the same site. The other spear/arrow thing was found in north germany, not sure if there where other artifacts found with it. I've another strange object that was found in the balkans. I went to a museum with it, they told me it was a typical roman ring, but they didn't know about the black stone, that wasn't roman and was added probably centuries later to the ring.

 

[dugupfinds]

Need more info - where were they found & what other items where found with them?

The spear and the bone object where found in England. I also got this silver pendant with it, but I don't know if that was found at the same site. The other spear/arrow thing was found in north germany, not sure if there where other artifacts found with it. I've another strange object that was found in the balkans. I went to a museum with it, they told me it was a typical roman ring, but they didn't know about the black stone, that wasn't roman and was added probably centuries later to the ring.

Well the silver pendant is Sandinavian (Viking). I'm not up on spears but my interests are Saxon & Viking stuff & the bone object doesn't fit well into any other period. If you research Viking Gods you will see the likeness.

The ring is definately Roman, as they said maybe a Saxon add-on. Not uncommon for the Saxons to re-use Roman stuff.

 

[MaceHead]

Thank you for your reply. It would be cool if the bone object is viking. I haven't find any similarities with other viking artifacts I searched on internet. Do you have pictures of the Saxon/viking objects you have collected?

BTW does anyone know how to preserve iron because the spear (that was found at the same area as the bone object) is falling apart.

 

[dugupfinds]

Thank you for your reply. It would be cool if the bone object is viking. I haven't find any similarities with other viking artifacts I searched on internet. Do you have pictures of the Saxon/viking objects you have collected?

BTW does anyone know how to preserve iron because the spear (that was found at the same area as the bone object) is falling apart.

I have lots of Viking/saxon stuff, haven't got the time right now to picture.

Most cultures carved left over bones/horns/teeth etc from the hunt but yours has a definate Viking or maybe Saxon look. Its worth taking to the museum who will identify it & there is no pressure as its not included under the terms of the Treasure Trove Act. I would love to own it, it looks like it has a great feel & expertly carved.

If you contact your local Find Liason Officer (FLO) about the crrosion they will put you in touch with a conservator.

 

[DJ_Quinn]

Thank you for your reply. It would be cool if the bone object is viking. I haven't find any similarities with other viking artifacts I searched on internet. Do you have pictures of the Saxon/viking objects you have collected?

BTW does anyone know how to preserve iron because the spear (that was found at the same area as the bone object) is falling apart.

Mace, that bone( ? ), (I think it looks more like an ivory tooth, but its hard to tell from the photo, maybee you can post the size), carving is Viking. I'm about 90% certain without seeing it in person. I live in Waterford City, founded by the Vikings over 1,200 years ago, and there are quite a few relic collections around with similar type carvings. 3 years ago they discovered a previously unknown settlement just up-river that they have been slowly excavating. A friend of mine is part of the dig and I'll try to have him take a look at your pic of that object. It's really nicely carved and in excellent condition, a wonderfull and really exciting bit of history.

Now, about preserving the iron spearhead, the only thing you should do now is to soak it in olive oil for about 24 hrs and use a cloth to clean off the surface dirt. As I'm sure you know, you can't reverse the process of oxidation, just prevent it from continuing.

Also, I want to go detecting with you!How do you find such fantastic items? I'm guessing that you do your homework first on where to hunt and spending time doing research up front has payed off in a huge way for you. Those are great items, museum pieces.

 

[dugupfinds]

Thank you for your reply. It would be cool if the bone object is viking. I haven't find any similarities with other viking artifacts I searched on internet. Do you have pictures of the Saxon/viking objects you have collected?

BTW does anyone know how to preserve iron because the spear (that was found at the same area as the bone object) is falling apart.

Mace, that bone( ? ), (I think it looks more like an ivory tooth, but its hard to tell from the photo, maybee you can post the size), carving is Viking. I'm about 90% certain without seeing it in person. I live in Waterford City, founded by the Vikings over 1,200 years ago, and there are quite a few relic collections around with similar type carvings. 3 years ago they discovered a previously unknown settlement just up-river that they have been slowly excavating. A friend of mine is part of the dig and I'll try to have him take a look at your pic of that object. It's really nicely carved and in excellent condition, a wonderfull and really exciting bit of history.

Now, about preserving the iron spearhead, the only thing you should do now is to soak it in olive oil for about 24 hrs and use a cloth to clean off the surface dirt. As I'm sure you know, you can't reverse the process of oxidation, just prevent it from continuing.

Also, I want to go detecting with you!How do you find such fantastic items? I'm guessing that you do your homework first on where to hunt and spending time doing research up front has payed off in a huge way for you. Those are great items, museum pieces.

I agree I thought it kinda tooth like or tusk.

 

[MaceHead]

Thank you for the information, It does look like a tusk (picture) It's about 6cm long. I'm curious what your friend will say about the object. and I'll try the olive oil, (I'll try it first on something else so I know what to expect )

About the artifacts, someone else dug it up and knew I was interested in history, and gave it to me. That thing from north germany and the ring from the balkans, I bought when I got interested in ancient artifacts. (read my first post) I would love to find such things myself, but owning it is also nice.