1,100-year old crucifix indicates Christianity spread in Denmark earlier than thought

A 1,100-year old crucifix was found in Anslev, Østfyn in Denmark this month. The pendant is dated much earlier than the time Christianity is though to have become widespread in the country, which could alter the believed historical timeline of when the people in the area came to hold on to the faith.

"This is a sensational find that dates from the first half of the 10th century BCE," Malene Refshauge Beck, archaeologist with East Funen Museums, said to Danish website DR, as quoted by The Local. "This figure may therefore result in us reconsidering the date Danes are believed to have become Christian. The person who wore it would undoubtedly have adhered to the Christian faith."

She also said that an almost identical figure, dated to the same time period, was found in Sweden.

The artifact was discovered by Dennis Fabricius Holm on Friday, March 11. The recreational archeologist was using his metal detector when he stumbled upon the item, a 4.1 cm. tall pendant weighing around 13.2 grams, as described by Vikingemuseet Ladby. 

"I finished work early last Friday, so I decided to spend a couple of hours searching with my metal detector. Suddenly I hit upon something," Holm told DR. "Ever since I turned over the clump of earth and saw the cross, I've been unable to think of anything else."

The Jelling Stone, which is dated around 965 AD, was previously the oldest item found in Denmark that depicts Jesus on the cross. It is predated by the new find, estimated to be from a time between 900 and 950 AD.

According to Science Blogs, the item that Holm found is the third Birka crucifix to have been discovered. The first one was dug up in the cemeteries of Birka in 1879 by Hjalmar Stolpe. The fragments of the second one was found by Jens Raben in 1927 in Ketting. The fragment of a possible fourth one discovered by Robert Hemming Poulsen in 2015.

The Aunslev Cross is on exhibit at Vikingemuseet Ladby until Easter.