The large excavation that archaeologists from Haderslev Museum are uncovering in Toftlund will continue for a week longer than planned. In the past week, heavy rain helped to expose prehistoric bronze jewelry. Archaeologist is pleasantly surprised by the find. 

The rain uncovered a beautiful find in Toftlund. Archaeologist calls finds "top notch". Two bracelets and a necklace were found in a so-called flatland tomb from the Bronze Age. Photo: Museum of Southern Jutland / Mette Arenfeldt

TOFTLUND: History can do something. And in Toftlund between the church and the Brundtland Center, the story has become very vivid.

Archaeologists from the Museum of Archeology South Jutland in Haderslev has over the last two weeks dug the 3,000-square-foot excavation. The archaeologists were actually supposed to stop the work in Toftlund this weekend. But new finds are, among other things, contributing to the archaeologists also being found at the site in the coming week.

Excavation leader Mette Arenfeldt was already at the beginning of the excavation positively surprised that a good handful of so-called flat field graves, some longhouses from the Viking Age and a dozen pit houses were found. Among other things, a beautiful amber pearl was found in one of the well-preserved pit houses.

See our selection of bracelets that are similar to this find

Rain revealed findings

But over the past week, the excavation leader was further surprised in the good way. Heavy rain caused nothing but wet archaeologists.

It was raining heavily and the rain was covering some bronze jewelry. We had guests in the square, and it was they who discovered the jewelery, "Look, there's something there," she says.

Excavation leader Mette Arenfeldt is pleasantly surprised by the quality of the finds made by the archaeologists in Toftlund between the church and the Brundtland Center. Now they are continuing the work in the area for another week, she says. Photo: Martin Franciere.

"What the rain revealed were two bracelets - one of which is whole - and a neck ring - all the parts in bronze. The discovery makes the excavation leader find the big words:
It's absolutely top notch. It can not get much better, and it is clearly one of the more exciting discoveries I have been involved in. "

Mette Arenfuldt can only guess who the jewelery belonged to and why they are in the grave.

The jewelry has been lying in the ground for a really long time. Judging from the grave and the size of the rings, they have belonged to an adult individual - probably a woman, she says, adding that the find is the icing on the cake.

One bracelet in bronze was intact, while the other bracelet was broken - the same was the necklace. The jewelry has been lying in the ground since at least 500 years before our era. Photo: Museum South Jutland

For the sake of curious eyes and hands, Mette Arenfeldt has kept the find secret since the beginning of the week, so that archaeologists could dig out all the finds in the grave.

See our large selection of copies of archaeological finds.

Many layers in the ground

As I said, the archaeologists will continue next week. This is not least due to the many exciting discoveries that have been made in the area. Moreover, soon after arriving at the site, the archaeologists were able to establish that many of the houses continued out under the layer of soil that had not been peeled off.

Archaeologist and excavation leader Mette Arenfeldt in the process of uncovering the rings in bronze on the site in Toftlund. Heavy rain caused guests at the square to become aware of the rare effects. Photo: Museum Sønderjylland

• It is a tedious job and it takes a long time to dig graves. Some of the graves have contained five layers, and we have had to uncover them one by one, says Mette Arenfeldt and adds that even though the neck and arm rings found look tarnished, the work with the conservation can work miracles.
• It is a slow process, but in return they can - when they are cleaned up - almost look new, so they can be part of an exhibition, she says.

This article is written by Martin Franciere This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. published on 30 August 2020

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