The Sæbø sword (also known as the Thurmuth sword) is an early 9th-century Viking sword, found in a barrow at Sæbø, Vikøyri, in Norway's Sogn region[1] in 1825. It is now held at the Bergen Museum in Bergen, Norway.
The sword has an inscription on its blade, which has been identified as a runic inscription incorporating a swastika symbol by Stephens (1867). The blade is poorly preserved, and the inscription barely legible, but if Stephens' interpretation is correct, the sword would be a unique example of a Viking-era sword with a runic blade inscription.
Drawing by George Stephens of the Sæbø sword and detail of inlaid decoration on the reverse
The sword itself is categorized as 'Type C' by Petersen (1919), who notes that it is unique in showing remnants of a metal thread at the broadsides of the upper hilt,[2] compared to other specimens of the type which show horizontal ridges or protruding edges, or less commonly inlaid forged stripes or protruding moldings that seem to be imitations of twisted or smooth thread. It is described as an imitation of a foreign [continental] sword inscription because of the lack of parallels in native tradition.[who?] There is an inscription realised in iron inlay along the center of the blade, close to the hilt.
Inscription
drawing of the inscription as published by Stephens.
Remnants of the inscription as on display at Bergen Museum
Drawing from table IV in the book "Den yngre jernalders sværd" by Anders Lorange, 1889.
The sword was described in 1867 by George Stephens, an English archaeologist and philologist who specialised in the runic inscriptions of Scandinavia, in his book Handbook of the Old-Northern Runic Monuments of Scandinavia and England. In this work he showed a drawing of the sword with a very clear inscription comprising five runes or rune-like letters with a swastika symbol in the middle. According to Stephens the inscription reads oh卍muþ from right to left. He interpreted the swastika as being used in rebus-writing to represent the syllable þur for the god Thor, and thus expanded the reading to oh Þurmuþ meaning "Owns [me], Thurmuth".[3] This reading was inspired by the idea that the swastika was used as a symbol of Thor (more precisely, of Thor's hammer) in Viking AgeNorse paganism. It was the subject of scholarly discussion at the International Congress of Anthropology and Prehistoric Archæology at Budapest in 1876, where the prevalent opinion was that the swastika stood for "blessing" or "good luck".[4]
In 1889, in a review of a book by A. L. Lorange, Stephens noted that the sword had been treated with acid whilst at the Danish Museum, with the result that the sword and its inscription were severely damaged, and consequently the inscription shown in a colour plate in Lorange's book was undecipherable.[5]
^Petersen, Jan (1919). "Den ældste vikingtid, Type C." [The Earliest Viking Age, Type C. (trans 1999. Noer, Kristin)]. De Norske Vikingesverd [The Norwegian Viking Swords]. pp. 66–70.
Stephens, George (10 August 1889). "Review of Den Yngre Jernalders Svaerd by A. L. Lorange". The Academy and Literature. 36 (901): 91–93.
Stephens, George (1866–1867). Handbook of the Old-Northern Runic Monuments of Scandinavia and England. Vol. Part 3. London.
Stephens, George (1884). Handbook of the Old-Northern Runic Monuments of Scandinavia and England (condensed version).
Wilson, Thomas (1896). "Swastika". Report upon the condition and progress of the U.S. National Museum during the year ending June 30, 1894. Washington DC: Government Printing Office.
Lorange, Anders (1889). Den yngre jernalders sværd. Bergen: John Griegs bogtrykkeri.
Petersen, Jan (1919). De norske vikingesverd [The Norwegian Viking Swords]. Kristiania.
February 02, 2023
sæbø, sword, also, known, thurmuth, sword, early, century, viking, sword, found, barrow, sæbø, vikøyri, norway, sogn, region, 1825, held, bergen, museum, bergen, norway, display, bergen, museummaterialiron, steel, with, iron, inlays, blade, size95, total, leng. The Saebo sword also known as the Thurmuth sword is an early 9th century Viking sword found in a barrow at Saebo Vikoyri in Norway s Sogn region 1 in 1825 It is now held at the Bergen Museum in Bergen Norway Saebo swordThe Saebo sword as on display at Bergen MuseumMaterialIron and steel with iron inlays on blade Size95 cm total length 78 cm blade Created800 850Discovered1825 Saebo Vik SognPresent locationBergen MuseumRegistrationmuseum no B1622The sword has an inscription on its blade which has been identified as a runic inscription incorporating a swastika symbol by Stephens 1867 The blade is poorly preserved and the inscription barely legible but if Stephens interpretation is correct the sword would be a unique example of a Viking era sword with a runic blade inscription Contents 1 Description 2 Inscription 3 See also 4 Footnotes 5 ReferencesDescription Edit Drawing by George Stephens of the Saebo sword and detail of inlaid decoration on the reverse The sword itself is categorized as Type C by Petersen 1919 who notes that it is unique in showing remnants of a metal thread at the broadsides of the upper hilt 2 compared to other specimens of the type which show horizontal ridges or protruding edges or less commonly inlaid forged stripes or protruding moldings that seem to be imitations of twisted or smooth thread It is described as an imitation of a foreign continental sword inscription because of the lack of parallels in native tradition who There is an inscription realised in iron inlay along the center of the blade close to the hilt Inscription Edit drawing of the inscription as published by Stephens Remnants of the inscription as on display at Bergen Museum Drawing from table IV in the book Den yngre jernalders svaerd by Anders Lorange 1889 The sword was described in 1867 by George Stephens an English archaeologist and philologist who specialised in the runic inscriptions of Scandinavia in his book Handbook of the Old Northern Runic Monuments of Scandinavia and England In this work he showed a drawing of the sword with a very clear inscription comprising five runes or rune like letters with a swastika symbol in the middle According to Stephens the inscription reads oh卍muth from right to left He interpreted the swastika as being used in rebus writing to represent the syllable thur for the god Thor and thus expanded the reading to oh THurmuth meaning Owns me Thurmuth 3 This reading was inspired by the idea that the swastika was used as a symbol of Thor more precisely of Thor s hammer in Viking Age Norse paganism It was the subject of scholarly discussion at the International Congress of Anthropology and Prehistoric Archaeology at Budapest in 1876 where the prevalent opinion was that the swastika stood for blessing or good luck 4 In 1889 in a review of a book by A L Lorange Stephens noted that the sword had been treated with acid whilst at the Danish Museum with the result that the sword and its inscription were severely damaged and consequently the inscription shown in a colour plate in Lorange s book was undecipherable 5 See also EditSeax of Beagnoth an Anglo Saxon seax with a runic inscription on its blade Swastika Germanic Iron Age Footnotes Edit Saebo was the name of a farm in Hoprekstad Hopperstad Vikoyri since 1838 part of Vik municipality 61 04 37 N 6 33 54 E 61 077 N 6 565 E 61 077 6 565 not to be confused with Saebo Hordaland Hoprekstad Olav Bygdabok for Vik i Sogn III Utgjevar er Nemndi for Bygdabok 1958 cited after familysearch org Archived 2016 03 10 at the Wayback Machine Petersen Jan 1919 Den aeldste vikingtid Type C The Earliest Viking Age Type C trans 1999 Noer Kristin De Norske Vikingesverd The Norwegian Viking Swords pp 66 70 Stephens 1866 1867 p 407 Stephens 1884 242 f Wilson 1896 p 93 Stephens 1889 p 407References EditStephens George 10 August 1889 Review of Den Yngre Jernalders Svaerd by A L Lorange The Academy and Literature 36 901 91 93 Stephens George 1866 1867 Handbook of the Old Northern Runic Monuments of Scandinavia and England Vol Part 3 London Stephens George 1884 Handbook of the Old Northern Runic Monuments of Scandinavia and England condensed version Wilson Thomas 1896 Swastika Report upon the condition and progress of the U S National Museum during the year ending June 30 1894 Washington DC Government Printing Office Lorange Anders 1889 Den yngre jernalders svaerd Bergen John Griegs bogtrykkeri Petersen Jan 1919 De norske vikingesverd The Norwegian Viking Swords Kristiania Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Saebo sword amp oldid 1104217359, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
