The Gjermundbu Helmet

The Gjermundbu Helmet

Photograph - Archaeological Remains

The Gjermundbu helmet is the only Viking Age helmet that has been found in Norway. It was found in a burial mound near Haugsbygda in Ringerike in 1943 along with remains of mail armour, 2 spears, 2 axes, 4 shield bosses, spurs stirrups, and several bits from a bridle. This was obviously the grave of a well-off person equipped to ride to war if needed. The helmet itself was found in seven pieces and there was evidence of battle damage, so it had definitely been used to protect its wearer. Braathen dated the burial to the second half of the tenth century.¹ It is now on display in the Kulturhistorisk museum in Oslo, Norway.

The World-Tree Project has a mask based on this helmet that you can print out and colour in. Go to this item here.

1. Braathen, Helge, 1989. Ryttergraver. Politiske strukturer i eldre rikssamlingstid. Varia 19 (Oslo: Universitetets Oldsaksamling)

NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet

Wikimedia Commons

NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet

10/02/2010

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English, Norwegian

PhysicalObject

10th century, Viking Age, Norway, Ringerike, Gjermundbu,