Weapons of Giants: Huge Bronze Axes Discovered in Denmark

[Neil]

Weapons of Giants: Huge Bronze Axes Discovered in Denmark

A pine tree farmer in Denmark has made an astonishing discovery: five enormous Bronze Age axe heads buried in a field near Nørre Snede in Jutland, Denmark. Did these weapons belong to the legendary giants that are said to have inhabited the area?

Norse mythology is rife in stories about an ancient race of violent giants known as the Jötnar. Banished to Jötunheimr by the ruling divinities (the Æsir), these giants were oftentimes hostile to mankind.

But is there any historical backing to these tales? As a matter of fact, many believe the presence of giants in worldwide mythology was inspired by a race of flesh-and-bone humanoids of giant statures.

The Bronze Age axes were discovered by farmer Esben Arildskov and his brother-in-law. Before planting a field with pine tree saplings, Arildskov used a metal detector to search for any buried artifacts. To their amazement, the two men uncovered two giant bronze axe heads. The team of archaeologists called on site found three more.

The axe heads measure 12 inches (30 centimeters) in length and each one weighs two pounds. Dating revealed they were made sometime during the 16th century BC, making them one of the oldest weapons of their kind discovered in Denmark. They are twice as heavy as axe heads usually are, suggesting that the men who wielded them must have been giant in stature.


The purity of the metal used to craft the weapons suggest advanced metalworking techniques were employed 3,600 years ago. In all truthfulness, the giants of old were known as master craftsmen.

Archaeologists believe this amazing find is unprecedented. All over Europe, only five other giant bronze axes were found, never so many in one single place.

“I’m all electric,” said archaeologist Constanze Rassman, curator of Midtjylland Museum in Denmark. “Five such Bronze Age axes have been found in all Northern Europe to date, and then we go and find five more in one go. That’s fantastic!”

The axe heads are currently at the Midtjylland Museum, where archaeologists are studying and preserving them. After that, they will be placed on display at the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen. And if the artifacts prove too controversial, they will probably disappear along the way, like so many others.

[Dale]

Wow! Cheers for that Neil

[dingdong]

Nice piece Niel,very interesting read,
If you watched the "gladiator" film the opening shots featured a huge,gigantic,bloke,who ACTUALLY carried a huge AXE and spoke German/Scandinavian, seems that Ridley Scott did his homework !!..LOL👍

[Val Beechey]

I watched a series of programs recently about 2 Americans who were searching for proof of Giants. There are tales and even documented evidence that they were actual but mysteriously the bones of any that have been unearthed seem to have disappeared. This seems to be the case in many Countries.
Like is says in the article, if it proves to be too controversial things tend to disappear.  On the other hand, although they are bigger than the average, at 2lb they aren't that heavy. A bag of sugar weighs that much. Also what about William Wallaces' sword. That was nearly as long as I am tall.
Very interesting and thought provoking article. Thanks for posting Neil.

[Chef Geoff]

As Val says they may be twice the weight of a "normal" axe of the period but given that a present day felling axe  weighs 5lb they can't really be classed as giant.
I think you'll find that most mythology involving giants comes from the finding of mammoth bones or the like.
But to continue the giant theme this is a "dagger" from the BA.....ceremonial I hasten to add

[dingdong]

Hey Geoff,could that dagger possibly be for ceremonial purposes?