Viking ax Mammen type, blunt

Considered one of the most amazing and beautiful archaeological finds from the Viking Age, the so-called Mammen ax was excavated from a 10th century burial mound at Mammen (near Viborg) in Jutland, Denmark. This unique piece lent its name to the Viking art style of the same name (c. 950-1030, a continuation of the animal ornamentation of the Jelling style, with the gradual introduction of more vegetal and decidedly less geometric elements).

The male grave from which the sumptuous Viking ax and many other precious artifacts were recovered dates to ca. 970/971 AD and is believed to be the last resting place of a wealthy man of high, even princely, status. The small iron ax is richly embellished with silver, niello, and gold leaf inlaid engravings, leading one to assume that it was probably a ceremonial or prestige weapon rather than a mere throwing or battle axe.

It remains to be determined whether the motifs adorning the ax head on both sides are of Christian or pagan influence. One side has an intricate pattern of tendrils, which may be a representation of the Christian tree of life or the world ash tree Yggdrasil from Norse mythology. The other side features an entwined bird-like creature that is supposed to represent a phoenix (as a symbol of Christ's resurrection) or Gullinkambi, the rooster perched on Yggdrasil who awakens the Einherjer in Valhalla every day and will sing to the gods and warriors to announce the beginning of Ragnarök.

The original piece, as well as many more grave goods and textile remains from the so-called Mammen Find (Danish: Mammenfundet) can be admired at the National Museum of Denmark (Nationalmuseet) in Copenhagen.