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History => Ancient and Medieval History => Topic started by: Duncan Head on April 22, 2023, 01:05:11 PM

Title: Viking coin hoard found by Danish metal-detector
Post by: Duncan Head on April 22, 2023, 01:05:11 PM
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/apr/21/hoard-of-1000-year-old-viking-coins-unearthed-in-denmark

I had to look twice to be sure that this wasn't the same as the last Viking hoard story, but different country and circumstances!
Title: Re: Viking coin hoard found by Danish metal-detector
Post by: Erpingham on April 22, 2023, 01:16:12 PM
"The Vikings believed that burying their treasure allowed them to find it again after death."

Interesting.  I've read about many Viking hoards but not seen that interpretation before. 
Title: Re: Viking coin hoard found by Danish metal-detector
Post by: Imperial Dave on April 22, 2023, 02:40:07 PM
Silly reasoning

Spend it now I say
Title: Re: Viking coin hoard found by Danish metal-detector
Post by: Duncan Head on April 22, 2023, 03:01:39 PM
Quote from: Imperial Dave on April 22, 2023, 02:40:07 PMSilly reasoning

Spend it now I say

"You can't take it with you" - unless, it seems, you're a Viking (or a Pharaoh).
Title: Re: Viking coin hoard found by Danish metal-detector
Post by: Erpingham on April 22, 2023, 03:13:52 PM
Quote from: Imperial Dave on April 22, 2023, 02:40:07 PMSilly reasoning

Spend it now I say

In many cultures, they would laugh at your foolish lack of planning.  You are going to be in the afterlife longer than on earth, so better to make preparations to be comfortable.

Without more information on this belief (which, as I said, I've not come across before), I'm not sure how it worked.  Is it a "pension" scheme, where you bury any surpluses you have to build up a nestegg?  Or is it "insurance", in that you could dig it up again if you survived but if you didn't, you had a lump sum for the hereafter?

Title: Re: Viking coin hoard found by Danish metal-detector
Post by: Imperial Dave on April 22, 2023, 04:07:39 PM
Ha ha

 :)