A 1,000-year-old Christian cross has been discovered in Denmark, proving that Christianity had a presence in the country earlier than previously thought.
Christian Today reports that the ancient cross was found by Dennis Fabricius Holm, an amateur treasure hunter.
"I got off early on Friday, so I took just a few hours, I went around
with my metal detector and then I came suddenly on something," shared
Holm.
The crucifix is made of finely constructed gold threads and tiny
filigree pellets. It weighs 0.47 ounces and is 1.61 inches in length.
Malene Refshauge Beck, curator and archaeologist at Østfyns Museum,
called the discovery “absolutely sensational,” and said that the cross
dates back to the first half of the 900’s.
Two runestones were previously discovered in Denmark, dating back to
965 A.D. These were the earliest evidence of conversion to Christianity
in the country before the recent discovery of the crucifix.
“The figure can therefore help to advance the time when one considers
the Danes really were Christians, simply because one can say that the
person who carried it here no doubt embraced the Christian faith," Beck
said of the crucifix.
By 1050 A.D., when Christian missionaries had been in the country for
two centuries attempting to convert the Vikings, it is thought that most
Danes had converted to Christianity.
"In recent years there has been more and more signs that Christianity
was widespread earlier than previously thought – and here is the
clearest evidence so far,” added Beck.
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