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APPENDICES
A. VALSMAGLE/LVE
VALSMAGLE HORIZON

The finds listed by Lomborg as belonging to the

Valsmagle horizon are the following (Lomborg
1968):
1. Buddinge grave, Kbenhavn County (AK I
381) - Valsmagle dagger, Valsmagle spearhead, awl
with decorated socket (likely point of a staff), socketed knob (decorated) for end of shaft of same, belthook, gold Lochhalsnadel with coiled gold wire
(for string)
2. Herslev grave, Holbk County (AK II 661) Valsmagle dagger (simple), high flanged axe, Lochhalsnadel (Reinecke B), 2 flint arrowheads
3. Valsmagle hoard I, Sor County (AK II 1097)
- Sword blade (point is claimed knife), 2 Valsmagle
spearheads, high flanged axe, Valsmagle shafthole
axe (decorated), Valsmagle shafthole axe, fishhook
4. Valsmagle hoard II, Sor County (AK II 1098)
- Full metal hilted sword of Valsmagle type, Valsmagle spearhead (decorated), Valsmagle spearhead,
palstave axe (with V-figure)
5. Erdrup grave, Sor County (AK II 1130) - Sword
blade (with V-figure)21 with pommel mounting, belthook, gold diadem with spirals at end
6. Hune hoard, Hjrring County ( Jacob-Friesen
1967 Taf. 28:6-7) - Valsmagle spearhead (decorated),
Valsmagle high flanged axe (decorated, widest point
of flanges high on the blade)
7. Mosbk grave, Hjrring County (e.g., Hach
mann 1957 Taf. 19:8-9) - Valsmagle dagger (simple),
belt-hook
8. Gunderupgrd grave, lborg County ( JacobFriesen 1967 Taf. 28:2-4) - Sword blade (decorated)
with pommel mounting, high flanged axe (decorated, widest point of flanges high on blade) with (coil)socket, socketed knob (decorated) for end of shaft of
same

21 This figure resembles the V below the handles of the famous

scimitars from Rrby, Holbk County (AK II 617), Knutstorp,
Skne (Forssander 1936, Taf. XLI-II) and Norre, stergtland
(Montelius 1917, 837).

COMMENTS

The point of departure is the items of the two

Valsmagle hoards (or deposits). With Lomborg,
Buddinge conforms to Valsmagle in terms of a long
lenticular crest on the top of the pommel of the dagger,
and in terms of the spearhead, Herslev conforms to
Valsmagle in terms of a long lenticular crest on
the pommel of the dagger, and in terms of the axe.
Erdrup conforms to Valsmagle in terms of a long
lenticular crest on the pommel of the sword. Hune
conforms to Valsmagle in terms of the spearhead
and its decoration. Mosbk conforms to Valsmagle
in terms of a long lenticular crest on the pommel of
the dagger. Gunderupgrd conforms to Valsmagle
in terms of a long lenticular crest on the pommel
of the sword, and in terms of the spearhead and its
decoration.
Grouped with Mosbk is the Srslev grave,
Holbk County (AK II 1008B): an identical crested
belt-hook, plus crude broad-armed and large-bowed
tweezers, and a slate ornament (likely for testing metals). Also grouped with Mosbk is the Kastbjergled
grave, Haderslev County (AK VII 3359): crested
belt-hook, sword-blade, and socketed knob (likely for
a staff, less likely for the sword handle or as a ferrule;
it may also stem from the shaft of a missing large axe).
Grouped with Gunderupgrd is the Skelby grave,
Prst County (AK II 1394): a similar axe (with socket, widest point of flanges high on the blade) and a
socketed knob for the shaft, along with a sword blade.
Seemingly, the latter find is not quoted by Vandkilde
in her main work (cf. Vandkilde 1996b).
The Dyssegrd grave, Kbenhavn County (AK I
451I) holds a sword blade, a pommel mounting, a
spearhead, a chisel, a saw, some bronze fragments
(awl, fingering?), a gold-plate cover (for a fibula bow),
other gold plate, a conical amber button with V-borings, and a strike-a-light (flint). This grave inventory conforms to Erdrup and Gunderupgrd in terms
of the pommel mounting, but the lenticular crest is
short; the other items are rather Period II in date. The
Strandtved grave, Svendborg County (AK III 2144C)

Opening the Oak-Coffins

holds a sword blade with a pommel, a palstave axe
(with V-figure), a socketed chisel, a socketed awl (likely the point of a staff), a tweezers, a fishhook, and a
strike-a-light. This grave conforms to Valsmagle in
terms of the palstave (and the fishhook?), to Buddinge
in terms of the socketed awl (point of staff), and to
Period II finds in terms of the sword, with a short
lenticular crest on the pommel.
Incidentally, the interpretation of such decorated
exquisite socketed awls as points of staffs is fortified
by a 85+ cm long decorated bronze stick with a socketed awl at the end from a Period II grave at Norby,
Rendsburg-Eckernfrde County (AK IV 2538A); this
stick also has a leather strap. The function is likely to
direct animals, in casu no doubt horses for chariots,
considering the fine items. Thus, indirectly, the socketed awls from Buddinge and Strandtved, as well as
from Uvelse, Frederiksborg County (AK I 195, cf. below), and Liesbttel, Rendsburg County (Hachmann
1957, Taf. 17:6-10; the item is not depicted), probably
reflect the use of such fast vehicles at the beginning
of the Bronze Age, if not earlier (cf. Randsborg 1992).
This observation even raises questions about ordinary
awls and other related artefacts, which may have functioned as pointed metal tip on staffs with the same
purpose (cf. Randsborg 1974; Willroth 1997).
In conclusion, grouped with the Valsmagle
hoards are - so far - the graves of Buddinge, Herslev,
Erdrup, and Mosbk; to the latter come Srslev,
and Kastbjergled. The Hune hoard and the grave of
Gunderupgrd are rather more doubtful since similar
axes with outward curved edges and high flanges, the
widest point of which is high on the axe-blade, occur in the Lve horizon (cf. Langvad; Fig. 6 here);
the same reservations hold true for the above Skelby
grave (AK II 1394). The Dyssegrd grave refers both
to Erdrup and Gunderupgrd (pommel mountings),
but other traits and items are rather Period II in date,
including the gold-plate cover (fibula). The Strandtved
grave perhaps refers to Valsmagle (palstave, but differing), to Buddinge (socketed awl/point of staff), and
to Period II swords. At Uvelse, Frederiksborg County
(AK I 195) a socketed awl (point of staff) may have
been found in a Period II context.
An imported Reinecke B Lochhalsnadel comes
from a supposed Period II grave at Dannewerck, Schleswig/Slesvig County (AK IV 2340); this item was

95

found with a tweezers (narrow armed), a couple of

amber beads, and a strike-a-light (flint). Such find
may even raise questions about the placing of the
above Herslev grave (also with a Lochhalsnadel), and
indirectly about other complexes.
Finally, it should be noted that the belt-hook from
Erdrup has a triangular terminal and thus differs from
the belt-hooks with rod-like arms of Buddinge (round),
Mosbk (crested), and Srslev (crested). A grave at
Liesbttel, Rendsburg County (Hachmann 1957, Taf.
17:6-10) also has a crested belt-hook, but is clearly
Period II, the rest of the items being a sword blade, a
razor, a narrow-armed tweezers, a socketed awl (point
of staff) and a strike-a-light (flint). Thus, it seems quite
possible to detach also Mosbk, with Srslev, from
Lomborgs Valsmagle horizon and lower the date of
these graves.
At Schoolbek, Eckernfrde County (AK IV
2520B), a belt-hook with triangular terminal was
found in a Period II grave together with a narrowarmed tweezers, a glass bead, a strike-a-light (flint),
and an arrowhead (flint).22 Thus, it is even possible to
detach Erdrup from Lomborgs Valsmagle horizon.
This observation is supported by the similarity of the
pommel mounting of Erdrup to Gunderupgrd and
Dyssegrd, and, by the gold diadem of Erdrup. The
latter item has parallels in several (early) Period II
graves. These include Grnninghoved, Vejle County
(AK IX 4403) of the Lve horizon (see below), Harreby, Haderslev County (AK VII 3394) (Fig. 5) - with a
palstave axe, a socketed knob for the end of the shaft,
a razor, a tweezers, and a strike-a-light (flint) - and No.
17 Storehj, Barde of Phase Early II, dendro-dated to
1373 BC (Pl. 8).
Simple Belt-hooks with a rod-like arm also occur in Period II. Examples come from the following
graves, among others:
Ryegrd, Kbenhavn County (AK I 597A)
with a fibula (with spirals) and a narrow-armed
tweezers;
22 A related belt-hook, with both an extension and crest, comes
from a grave at Ehestorf, Bremerwrde County in Northwest
Germany. The grave is probably Period II; the other items are:
sword blade with traces of the handle, a palstave axe (seemingly
East Hannoveran type), a spearhead (seemingly of Valsmagle
type), a double-edged razor on the Central European model,
and a strike-a-light (flint) ( Jacob-Friesen 1967, Taf. 33:1-6).

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Ortved, Sor County County (AK II 1117B)

with a narrow-armed tweezers;
Rgelund, Odense County (AK III 1958B)
with a palstave axe, a razor, a tweezers and two
strike-a-lights (flint) with sulphur (plus, perhaps,
an arm-ring/bracelet);
likely also Lysemosegrd, Svendborg
County (AK III 2141B) with a sword blade and a
spearhead;
Bindeballe, Vejle County (AK IX 4570C)
with a dagger-blade;
certainly also Vester Agger, Thisted County
(AK XI 5436B) with a sword blade and a
pommel;
Itzehoe, Steinburg County (AK XVIII
9407D) with a sword blade, a palstave axe, a
tweezers, a pin, a glass bead, a piece of amber,
and a strike-a-light (flint);
and, seemingly, Hbek, Rendsburg County
( Jacob-Friesen 1967, Taf. 37:2-9) with a palstave
axe (plus a fragment of the same), a spearhead, a
fibula, a razor, a tweezers, an awl, a strike-alight (flint), etc.

On the other hand, it should also be remembered

that simple belt-hooks with disc-like plate already
occur in Period I, as demonstrated by Grave 6
of a burial mound at Rastorf, Pln County (East
Holstein) with a Wohlde type sword, an artefact
type incidentally with a western distribution in
Denmark and North Germany (Bokelmann 1977,
Fig. 9:5) (Fig. 9). Incidentally, Wohlde blades are
of the Late Period I and have a western distribution
in Denmark, etc.; by contrast, the decorated
Haidsmson-Apa swords and daggers, and their
imitations, have an eastern distribution in Denmark
(e.g. Vandkilde 1996b, Figs. 257 & 239).
In fact, Rastorf Grave 6 is secondary to Grave 5
in the same mound. The latter holds a Nordic Hai
dsmson-Apa sword, close in style to the short
swords from the large recent find from Nebra, Burgenland County, East/Central Germany. The Nebra
find also contains the famous Sky Disc, in addition
to two flanged axes, a flanged chisel, and arm-spirals
(Meller 2004). Conventionally, the Nebra find is dated to around 1600 BC.

LVE HORIZON

The finds listed by Lomborg as belonging to the Lve

horizon are the following (cf. Lomborg 1968):
1. Lve grave, Holbk County (AK II 665) Dagger blade with a pommel (short lenticular crest,
bows in garland), belt-hook with a long arm and
round disc, strike-a-light (flint)
2. Langvad grave, Thisted County (AK XI 5540;
Lomborg 1968 Fig. 8, nos. 1, 3 & 9) - Dagger blade
with a pommel (short lenticular crest, originally spirals?), high-flanged axe (curved edges, widest point
of flanges high on the blade), 2 gold-foil covers for a
fibula bow, pieces of raw amber (Fig. 6 here)
3. Mellemholm grave, lborg County (Lomborg
1968 Fig. 10C) - Belt-hook with a long arm and
round disc, fibula
4. lbk grave, Vejle County (AK IX 4481A) Short sword blade with a pommel (short lenticular
crest), Smrumovre type spearhead, socketed ferrule
(for same?), Petschaftnadel (Reinecke C1), amber
button, strike-a-light (flint) with sulphur, clay vessel
5. Grnninghoved grave, Vejle County (AK IX
4403) - Sword blade with a pommel (short lenticular crest, spirals), gold arm-band/bracelet or rather
diadem
6. rskov grave, Ringkbing County (AK X
4721) - Short sword blade with a pommel (rather
short lenticular crest), gold arm-band
7. l grave, Ribe County (AK VIII 4195) - Short
sword blade with a pommel (rather long lenticular
crest, spirals), palstave axe
8. Gadeland grave, Segeberg County (Hachmann
1957 Taf. 17:19-21) - Sword blade with a pommel
(short lenticular crest, spirals), spearhead (seemingly, Smrumovre type, cf. Jacob-Friesen 1967, but
the socket is angled in Hachmann 1957, as in Valsmagle)

COMMENTS

The Lve group is rather homogeneous in style and

composition, only Mellemholm has no dagger/sword
with Lve type pommel, i.e., a thin lenticular disc
with a short lenticular crest, in some cases even with
spirals. Typologically, this group of finds clearly differs
from the Valsmagle one; the date is early Period II. It

Opening the Oak-Coffins

should be noted that not all the sword/daggers of this
type which ought to have been known by Lomborg,
were listed by him.
The gold-plate covers from Langvad (Fig. 6) have
parallels at Kampen, South Tondern/Tnder County
(AK V 2681). The latter ones were found in a grave
with a sword blade, an East Hannoveran palstave
axe, a conical tutulus (shape as the amber bead in
the lbk grave), and a strike-a-light (flint) with sulphur; the type of palstave recurs in No. 5 Guldhj
A of Phase Early II, dendro-dated to 1389 (Pl. 4).
The simple palstave from l is close to the ones from
Kampen and No. 5 Guldhj, although slightly more
slender and Nordic.
A Petshaftnadel (of Reinecke C1) also comes from
Tobl, Ribe County (AK VIII 3919B), a rich and unusual Period II grave with a large model chariot wheel,
a gold spiral arm-ring, several tutuli, beads (amber
and jet), a pot, etc., and, a sword. The pommel of the
latter is not too far away in shape, proportions, and
traits from the Lve specimens.
A Period II grave from Dannewerck, Schleswig/
Slesvig County (AK IV 2338A) holds a likely rather
late Petschaftnadel (with riffled neck, perhaps of Reinecke C2), along with two dagger-blades, three armrings, a tutulus, and two gold spiral-rings (main grave
with an adjunct interment?). A related pin comes from
a late Period II grave at Schafstedt, Dithmarschen
County (Holstein province) (AK XVII 9226D) along
with a full metal-hilted sword, a ferrule, a palstave
axe, and two gold spiral rings. Possibly, a rich and
unusual Period II grave from Kirke Vrlse, Kbenhavn County (AK I 364) also held a Petschaftnadel;
the other items found here were: a sword-blade, a
spearhead, a belt-hook, two double-axe shaped tutuli,
a razor, two fibulae, an amber bead, a strike-a-light
(flint), etc.
Indeed, a whole series of Period II sword (and
dagger) pommels with thin lenticular discs and other
archaic traits should probably be included in the Lve
horizon group. Such pommels have been found in the
following finds23:
The Ubby grave, Holbk County (A II
645A9);
The list is not exhausted.

23

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Ods district, Holbk County: unknown type

of find (AK II 718);
the Dragsholm grave, Holbk County (AK
II 781D);
the Snder Bjerge grave, Sor County (AK
II 1199) (Fig. 3);
Fanefjord, Prst County: unknown type of
find (AK II 1323);
the Kampen grave, South Tondern/Tnder
County (AK V 2676B);
the Mjls graves, benr County (AK VI
3061A & 3061B) (Fig. 4);
Dybbl, Snderborg County: unknown type
of find (AK VI 3302g);
the Kongsted grave, Vejle County (AK IX
4308A);
even the sword from Stlstrupgrd, Sor
County (Vandkilde 1996b, Fig. 238) may belong
in this late phase, in spite of archaic traits.
These are just a few examples of observations and
inferences, following but a few of many possible clues.
The examples are calling for renewed attention to the
transition between Period I and Period II, in fact, to
a thorough study which lies beyond the scope of the
present work, concentrating on the 14th century on.

CONCLUSIONS

The conclusions are that two chronological models

are possible, accepting the general difference between
Lve and Valsmagle horizons.
(A) The first model follows Lomborgs definitions
as to both Valsmagle and Lve, with the above additions (Srslev, Dyssegrd, and Strandtved graves).
Probably, this is what Vandkilde is suggesting (Vandkilde 1996b).
(B) The other model defines Valsmagle only in
terms of the two hoards and the adjunct group of
graves: Buddinge, Herslev, Erdrup (the latter likely
later, however), plus Mosbk, with Srslev, the latter holding a (crude) tweezers; also these two graves
are possibly later.
Hune and Gunderupgrd, with Skelby, clearly
belong to Period II - in fact, the Lve horizon, here
integrated into a suggested Initial-Period II horizon.

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Dyssegrd and Strandved are added to this group,

where also Kampen, South Tondern/Tnder County
(AK V 2681) is situated, as well as other finds, which
probably all are earlier than Phase Early Period II, as
defined on the basis of the oak-coffins (cf. Pls. 3-7).
To these Initial-Period II finds - including the
eponym Lve grave - should be added the Diverhj
grave (Asingh 1987) with a high-flanged decorated
axe (socketed, the widest point of flanges high on the
blade) with socketed knob for the end of the shaft,
two fibulae with open-work bows, and a strike-a-light
(flint). Diverhj refers to Gunderupgrd, and Skelby.
Also the Hnsinge grave, Holbk County (AK II
896A), with a similar axe (socketed, the widest point
of the flanges high on the blade), a very large socketed knob, plus a full metal-hilted sword, clearly belongs in Period II. The same is the case with the
abovementioned swords/daggers with pommels with
thin lenticular discs, etc. not listed by Lomborg, as
well as with quite a few other finds, several of which
are quoted above in various contexts (cf. Figs. 3-7). A
comprehensive list is not been drawn up, however,
for the present quite limited task.
For the above reasons, the present author suggests
chronological model (B) as the carrying one. Model
(B) solves most of the problems encountered above
and distorts the overall picture less, including long
won positions. Other chronological models ahave
also been considered, only one of which shall briefly
be discussed.

SOCIAL CHRONOLOGY
The final chronological model is looking more at
artefact types, content, and society than artefact types
and sub-types (cf. Randsborg 1999, and above). The
Late Neolithic is the fist period to concern us, divided
into at least two main phases of which the latter (from
about 2000 BC on) holds most of the metal plus the
metal and other elaborate items. The metal items,
mostly axes, are still of copper; there is little gold.
The many metal artefacts are testimonies to lively
interaction with Central Europe.
Period I comprises the main sub-Late Neolithic
part of traditional Period I, still with flint-daggers and
old-fashioned metal artefacts, in the main axes; the
metal-tipped spear is introduced, though, as well as

blades long enough to be swords, both defining the

aristocracy to come. Tin-bronzes prevail. Burials
still takes place in the old megalithic graves, as well
in the classical burial types of the period, including
mounds. The farm long-houses are still two-aisled,
but three-aisled structures seemingly are beginning
to appear. In most respects we are thus still looking
backwards, to the Neolithic.
The Valsmagle hoards and associates of the close
of Period I (if we may) are heralding something new the beginning of Period II, towards the close of the 16th
century (including Initial Period II). Classical Period
II (Early & Late Period II, respectively) is defined by
the typological repertoire of the majority of the Oakcoffin graves. Initial-Period II will thus almost in S.
Mllers style - hold both Lomborgs Valsmagle and
Lve horizons (Lomborg 1968; cf. Mller 1909), plus,
the latters novel associates, as here suggested.
In Period II, the farm long-house is three-aisled and
sometimes even more than 500 m2 in size (cf. Fig. 20);
large burial mounds are common, holding graves often lavishly furnished with items of personal character
(weapons and jewellery, even in gold). Chariots are
with certainty introduced and beautiful large and fast
canoes. Burial in the old megalitic graves does not take
place anymore. Finally, Sun-worship is in full flourish.
In other words, we are looking forwards, towards the
accomplishments of the Bronze Age, including its cosmological knowledge, aristocratic norms and organisation of society, indeed, to future life-styles.
Such comprehensive model is emphasizing the fact
that artefact chronology is not an end to itself - even
though it is fulfilling the important task of giving eyes
to history. On principle, chronologies should always
be studied in conjunction with other evidence to attain a fuller understanding of cultural development.
The transition between Period I and Valsmagle (with
the whole train of Periods II-III) is marking a degree
of ideological, social, and even technological change
- within the flow of tradition - which almost is to be
likened to the change from the Middle Palaeolithic (of
the Neanderthals) to the diversity, adaptability, and
wider, even long-distance, vision of the world - almost
towards modernity, in fact - of the Upper Palaeolithic
of Homo Sapiens, in particular in Western Europe, as
exemplified by the cave art and the creation of virtiual
cathedrals of hidden painting.