In Denmark, two amateur archaeologists made a unique discovery near the town of Ringsted, located on the island of Zeeland. They found an ancient bronze portrait of Alexander the Great.
According to Heritage Daily, the authors of the discovery were Finn Ibsen and Lars Danielsen, two amateur archaeologists who were searching for artifacts with a metal detector near the town of Ringsted. In ancient times, this city, like the island of Zeeland itself, was important. Large public events were held here and extensive trade was carried out. Laws were also adopted here.
Amateur archaeologists delivered their find to the museum, whose experts dated it to Roman times. They suggest the small object was part of a weapon. The artifact is a deified image of Alexander the Great with curly hair and ram horns, who is often associated with the god Amun (Zeus).
According to archaeologists, the artifact was most likely an element of a battle shield. A similar detail was previously found in the Illerup Odal swamp, where in total around 16 thousand weapons were discovered, including swords, bows, arrows, spears and shields. The weapon is believed to have been immersed for ritual purposes after a major battle.
The “great battle” is known to have taken place at Illerup Odal, near Skanderborg, during the reign of Emperor Caracalla (198-217 AD), who was considered the reincarnation of Alexander the Great. Two German armies fought in that battle. It claimed many lives and the remaining weapons were sacrificed to the gods and thrown into the swamp.
A portrait of Alexander the Great was found on one of the shields raised from the swamp. It resembles the Ringsted find. We add that the found artifact with a diameter of 28 millimeters was cast from a bronze alloy containing lead.
“This is a unique find in Scandinavia, associated with one of the most famous people in world history,” says archaeologist Frirk Oldenburger of the Vestjelland Museum.
