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An interpretation of the Nebra disc

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Emília Pásztor  and
Curt Roslund
Emília Pásztor
Affiliation:
Matrica Museum, HU-2440 Szazhalombatta, Hungary (Email: pasztore@enternet.hu)
Curt Roslund
Affiliation:
Department of Astronomy, Gothenburg University, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Extract

The Nebra disc is one of the most sensational European discoveries of the decade. It appears to carry symbols of the sun, moon and stars wrought in gold on a flat bronze disc just over a foot across (320mm). It is not only very strange, but, famously, appears to be winking, initially raising the suspicion that it may be a hoax. Scholars have, however, claimed it firmly for the Bronze Age, and the debate now moves to the matter of its meaning. Here the authors offer a subtle interpretation that sees it as the shamanistic device of a local warrior society.

Keywords

EuropeBronze AgeGermanySachsen-AnhaltNebrashieldreligionshaman
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 81 , Issue 312 , 1 June 2007 , pp. 267 - 278
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 2007

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