Illerup Ådal
Encyclopedia
Illerup Ådal is an archeological site located near Skanderborg
, Denmark
.
The first findings at the river valley Illerup Ådal were revealed in 1950, during the drainage works. The area was excavated from 1950 till 1956 and again in 1975-1985. During the excavations more than 15,000 items, mainly Iron Age
weapons and personal equipment from 200-500 AD period were found. It is generally agreed, that the findings are enemy equipment captured after victories, and then thrown into the lake, as a votive offering
to the gods. It is one of twenty-five sites in Denmark and Southern Sweden where sacrificed weapons
were found.
In the summer of 2009 project work of students of Aarhus University excavated the remains of hundreds of people at a different location in the valley. This is currently thought to be a place of sacrifice for the prisoners in the same wars.
Archeological excavations also produced some findings bearing the elder futhark
runic inscriptions from the earliest period.
To ensure preservation of the area still holding many findings, the location has been granted a protected area status in 1996.
Skanderborg
Skanderborg, with a population of 18,253 , is a town in Denmark just southwest of Aarhus. It is more or less a suburb today, located in Skanderborg municipality, Jutland.Skanderborg municipality has a population of 57,303 ....
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
.
The first findings at the river valley Illerup Ådal were revealed in 1950, during the drainage works. The area was excavated from 1950 till 1956 and again in 1975-1985. During the excavations more than 15,000 items, mainly Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
weapons and personal equipment from 200-500 AD period were found. It is generally agreed, that the findings are enemy equipment captured after victories, and then thrown into the lake, as a votive offering
Votive offering
A votive deposit or votive offering is one or more objects displayed or deposited, without the intention of recovery or use, in a sacred place for broadly religious purposes. Such items are a feature of modern and ancient societies and are generally made in order to gain favor with supernatural...
to the gods. It is one of twenty-five sites in Denmark and Southern Sweden where sacrificed weapons
Weapons sacrifice
The Greeks and Romans set up trophies after victories in battle. These have left little archaeology . Normally, on dry land wood will rot, iron will rust and bronze would be reused...
were found.
In the summer of 2009 project work of students of Aarhus University excavated the remains of hundreds of people at a different location in the valley. This is currently thought to be a place of sacrifice for the prisoners in the same wars.
Archeological excavations also produced some findings bearing the elder futhark
Elder Futhark
The Elder Futhark is the oldest form of the runic alphabet, used by Germanic tribes for Northwest Germanic and Migration period Germanic dialects of the 2nd to 8th centuries for inscriptions on artifacts such as jewellery, amulets, tools, weapons and runestones...
runic inscriptions from the earliest period.
To ensure preservation of the area still holding many findings, the location has been granted a protected area status in 1996.