Denmark could be far older than believed

Discovery in Italy sows doubt on prevailing conceptions

On the historic Jelling Stones in Jutland it is written how Harald Bluetooth conquered and united all of Denmark in the 900s. Until now, the ruins have offered the earliest mention of the Danes as a people.

But perhaps not anymore.

A new discovery in Italy could very well indicate that the Danes as a people had existed 400 years before Harald Bluetooth.

READ MORE: Immortalised on stone forever, the founding rock of the nation

Speedy, but thick
Kasper H Andersen, a historian and postdoc at Aarhus University, has examined gothic texts from Italy and found that the Danes as a people are already described in writings dating back to the court of the Ostrogoth king, Theoderic the Great, in the 700s.

“The Danes are characterised as being a very fast people … but they are not quite as intelligent as their neighbours to the south,” is written in a text, according to Kristeligt Dagblad newspaper.

Moreover, the source of the stories in the text is 200 years older and hails from the years between about 470 and 526.

“I evaluate Denmark to already have consisted of a larger territorial frame already around the year 500,” Andersen told Kristeligt Dagblad.

TOP STORIES

  • Danish Intelligence Service: Threat from Russia has intensified

    Danish Intelligence Service: Threat from Russia has intensified

    In the internal Danish waters, Russia will be able to attack underwater infrastructure from all types of vessels. The target could be cables with data, electricity and gas, assesses the Danish Defense Intelligence Service

  • Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    A few weeks after Alex Vanopslagh’s comments about “right values,” the government announced that an expert committee would be established to examine the feasibility of screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic attitudes.

  • The Future Copenhagen

    The Future Copenhagen

    The municipality plan encompasses building 40,000 houses by 2036 in order to help drive real estate prices down. But this is not the only huge project that will change the shape of the city: Lynetteholmen, M5 metro line, the Eastern Ring Road, and Jernbanebyen will transform Copenhagen into something different from what we know today

  • It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    Many people in Denmark are facing hard times marked by sadness, anxiety, and apathy. It’s called winter depression, and it’s a widespread phenomenon during the cold months in Nordic countries.

  • Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime in Denmark is increasing for the second consecutive year, but it is more focused on property, while people appear to be safer than before. Over the past year, there were fewer incidents of violence

  • Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Despite Novo’s announcement that its growth abroad will be larger than in Denmark, the company announced this morning an 8.5 billion DKK investment for a new facility in Odense. This is the first time the company has established a new production site in Denmark this century.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs