Thread by @prehistoryRMO

1/6 For #FindsFriday three haunting faces of the impressive Gundestrup vessel @Nationalmuseet. Found in a Danish bog in Jutland over a century ago (1891). It originally travelled far north from. It interestingly displays distinct Celtic imagery…(and holds soup) ca. 150 BC.

2/6 One of the central scenes inside depicts a Godlike figure with antlers 🦌 holding a snake 🐍 which is sometimes interpreted as the Celtic God Cernunnos.

3/6 Another scene depicts a graphic ritual of sacrifice where an individual (soldier, slave?) is thrown in a large pot by a giant. This scene is flanked by soldiers with 🛡, riders and Carnyx players 🎺 (possibly war horns).

4/6 The kettle was made in Thracia (now Bulgaria) but travelled far north to end up in a Jutland bog as an offering. It is related to our @RM_Oudheden #Helden gilded silver disc which displays a classical scene of Hercules wrestling the Nemean lion 🦁, and also ended in a bog.

5/6 The disc is usually interpreted as part of a military costume or equestrian harness fittings 🐴 but might als have been fixed to the bottom of a cauldron as at Gundestrup where a bull is depicted.

6/6 The cauldron probably functioned among Celtic elites in their drinking and feasting habits of costly display and must have been a rare item of prestige. The exact meaning of the scenes remains unknown. Anyway, don’t miss it when in 🇩🇰, go visit the fabulous @Nationalmuseet!