Name: Oseberg Tapestry
Description: A intricately woven fabric with a distinct pattern
Origin: Tønsberg, Norway
Date of Creation: Circa 834
Related Artifact: A stunning ancient Egyptian gold necklace featuring Hatnefer’s Heart Scarab: The Book of the Dead
Historical Significance:
Over a century ago, archaeologists discovered a Viking ship buried at Oseberg Farm in Tønsberg, Norway. Among the remarkably preserved carved oak containers were the remains of two women, surrounded by an array of richly detailed tapestries that showcased clothing, agricultural tools, livestock, and one of the rare representations of horned Viking helmets.
A tree-ring date from the burial site placed the Oseberg ship burial around 834 AD. Within the main burial chamber, fragments of the tapestry were uncovered, reconstructed to a size of 6.3 x 9 inches (16 x 23 cm). Made from wool, silk, and flax, it features imagery of humans, animals, and wheeled vehicles. Only incomplete fragments of the original tapestry remain, so its full size remains unknown.
The fibers appear brown and beige today but were originally dyed using a variety of natural dyes. Remnants of red can still be observed in the form of coarse diamonds, particularly in the concentric circles beneath the fragment.
Due to the deterioration of the fibers, the precise scenes depicted remain uncertain. Humans, animals, and carts appear to converge towards a large tree, possibly representing Yggdrasill, the Nordic Tree of Life. Other human figures include men and a woman wielding a weapon, donned in ceremonial attire. Stylistically, the Oseberg textile bears resemblance to the Bayeux Tapestry, crafted two centuries later in present-day France.
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The Oseberg Tapestry is renowned for its distinctive depiction of the horned helmet. These helmets have long intrigued the modern imagination, although they are likely a 19th-century myth. A fragmented Viking helmet discovered lacks corners, yet the portrayal of a warrior—potentially a berserker—donning horned helmets on Oseberg’s textile opens the possibility that some Vikings possessed them, possibly for ceremonial use.
The Oseberg Tapestry is housed in the Viking Era Museum in Oslo. Researchers continue to explore the many fragments that may eventually be stitched together as part of the tapestry.
Source: www.livescience.com