Description
This mask is one from two exemplars which have been found rolled in a ship discovered in harbour at Hedeby / Haithaby (currently Germany). They have been used as caulking of a hull.
The mask, presented on the photo, has been made of red felt. It is uncertain what species of mammal it represent - dog? sheep? fox? Unknown is also function of this object, it may be used as theatrical implement, ritual item, or element of disguise. Inga Hägg suggested, that Hedeby mask could be connected with berserkers or ulfhéðnar.
This find is a part of the permanent exhibition in the Hedeby Viking Museum / Wikinger Museum Haithabu.
References:
Hägg I. 1984a: Die Textilfunde aus dem Hafen von Haithabu, Berichte über die Ausgrabungen in Haithabu 20, Neumünster.
Hägg I. 1984b: Textilfunde aus dem Hafen von Haithabu. Aspekte und Interpretation, Offa 41, Neumünster, pp. 177-188.
Price N. 2002: The Viking Way: Religion and War in Late Iron Age Scandinavia, AUN 31, Uppsala.
Coverage
Viking Age, Hedeby, Haithabu, Germany, Denmark, Danmark, Tyskland, Vikingtiden, Vikingatida, Vikingetiden
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