The Oldest Depiction of Falconry in Scandinavia
In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists in Norway have unearthed a medieval carving that may be the oldest depiction of falconry in Scandinavia. The 800-year-old figure, carved from animal bone, depicts a crowned individual holding a falcon on their right arm.
Discovery and Significance
The artifact was discovered at a dig site in Gamle Oslo, a historic borough of Norway’s capital. Made from likely antler, the carving is nearly three inches long and hollow near the bottom, suggesting it may have been a handle for a knife or tool.
Based on the clothing and hairstyle of the figure, scientists date the carving to around the 13th century. The presence of a crown indicates that the carving may have been modeled after a person of royalty, potentially King Håkon IV.
Falconry in Medieval Europe
Falconry, the practice of using trained birds of prey to hunt wild game, was a popular sport among nobility and the wealthy in medieval Europe. Falcons were highly prized and expensive to train, with a single untrained Norwegian falcon costing the equivalent of 4 to 6 cows or 1 to 2 horses in the 13th century.
Norwegian kings were particularly active in falconry, using it as a diplomatic tool to build alliances with other European courts. King Håkon IV, who ruled from 1217 to 1263, was known for his passion for falconry and often gifted falcons as presents.
Analysis of the Carving
The crowned figure depicted in the carving wears a falcon resting on its right arm. The bird’s head is bent down towards the falconer’s left hand, which experts believe may be holding food. The falcon’s eye is a drilled hole, while its plumage is depicted with an engraved lattice pattern.
The carving’s clothing and hairstyle suggest that it may depict a female figure, as married women in the 13th century wore their hair or head linen in a similar style. However, determining the figure’s gender conclusively is difficult, as both men and women practiced falconry during the medieval era.
Historical Context
The carving provides valuable insights into the cultural significance of falconry in medieval Norway. The presence of a crowned figure and the attention to detail in the carving’s depiction suggest that falconry was held in high esteem by the Norwegian elite.
Archaeologists believe that the carving was likely made in a workshop in Oslo and is among the most important artifacts found in the city in recent years. Similar knife shafts with falcons have been found in Oslo and other parts of northern Europe, but the newly discovered carving is believed to be older.
Legacy of Falconry
Falconry continued to be popular among Norwegian kings until the end of the 14th century. Professional falcon catchers were employed to capture and train birds of prey for the royal court.
The practice of falconry declined in popularity in Norway after the Middle Ages, but it remains a cherished tradition in some parts of the world. The discovery of the medieval carving in Oslo serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of falconry in Norwegian history.