Loki in Archaeology

Unfortunately for Lokeans, there is no historical universal "symbol" for Loki. Up until fairly recently, the archaeological record for Loki was fairly scant, especially compared to something like the Mjolnir. As time goes on and people continue to rummage through the dirt, new and exciting goods are found each day  with some giving new light to what was previously discarded as unknown or just another thing. There are many pieces speculated to be attributed to Loki found in archaeology, and in modern times we start to see what might be something becoming that symbol. With more and more artefacts being found and reproductions of them hitting places such as Etsy, let's have a look where some of the designs have been inspired from, and how old they really are.

The Snaptun Stone

Discovered in 1950 in Snaptun, Denmark, dating back to approx 1000 CE, what is unmistakably Loki depicted with scarred lips as described in Skáldskaparmál. The stone has been identified as a hearth stone based on the little hole you can see down the bottom there where typically a bellows would go, which makes it very interesting. Perhaps it was decoration, or perhaps some evidence of some form of Loki veneration?

The Snaptun Stone

The Kirkby Stephen Stone

Discovered in 1870 in Cumbria, England dating back to late 10th century and whats referred to as the "Kirkby Stephen Stone." It is debated who is pictured, but the commonly identified figure is either Loki or the Devil. This was also the time where Loki was being cast as the Devil so who knows, but here it is for you to decide. It is from St. Stephen's Church in Kirkby Stephen, England:

The Kirkby Stephen Stone

Gosforth Cross

Discovered in 1886 in also in Cumbria, England dating back to approx 920-950 CE and whats referred to as the "Gosforth Cross." It is speculated to depict events of Ragnarok and this image in particular is said to be the bound Loki accompanied by Sigyn.


Nordendorf Fibulae

This one isn't a depiction, but perhaps a mention in Elder Futhark. Discorded in 1843 in a grave in Nordendorf near Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany Dating back to the 6th or 7th century (!!). What is referred to as "Nordendorf I" has 2 inscriptions in elder futhark, with the second one being of interest:
- awa leubwini
- logaþore / wodan / wigiþonar 

Jan de Vries in The Problem of Loki suggests the first name in the inscription (logaþore) to be a proto-form of both Loki and Lóður which might hold some water if Loki is derived from Logi, but we dont have too much there either so this is highly contested. Some also speculate that it means "magician, sorcerer" and refers to Wodan and Donar as magicians.

Nordendorf Fibulae I zoooooomed

Øster Lindet Mask

Found in 2015 at Øster Lindet, southwest Jutland. A mask was found by an amateur archaeologist. From what I can find this pendant has been dated to the 9th-10th century. It depicts vertical lines through the lips and may indicate sewn or scarred lips and so the mask may depict Loki. More excitingly, this could evidence of Loki worship as pendants like this were often personal and a sign of worship. This piece was identified with Loki by the curator of the local Sønderskov Museum in Denmark, due to the similarity of the cross-hatching on the mouth and other features to the Snaptun stone. More can be found in the Journal of Swedish Antiquarian Research 2018 as well as the paper "Lokemasken - Var Loke en beskytter?" by Lars Grundvad.

Photo: Brian Christensen, Sønderskov Museum

Ulstrap, Härad and Uppåkra Masks

Found in 2011 near Ulstrup, Härad and Uppåkra in Denmark respectively are these 3 almost identical pendants, all from what I can find have been dated to the 9th-10th century The publication of the identification of the Øster Lindet Mask, the Härad "mask pendant" was reconsidered, as having those similar features and also potentially identified with Loki. Another possible piece of evidence to support a cult of Loki? More can be found in the Journal of Swedish Antiquarian Research 2018

Ulstrap, Härad and Uppåkra Masks

Gnezdovo Mask

After the Øster Lindet Mask and Ulstrap, Härad and Uppåkra Masks were identified, archaeologists in Russia pulled from archives another pendant found in a grave from Gnezdovo, Rus which was discovered in 1864, but remained unidentified for a century and a half...until now!:

Gnezdovo Mask

Bitterstad Pendants

Found in 2013, but not published until 2016 from a ship burial in Bitterstad, Norway, includes remains from two relatives, a century apart, wearing nearly identical pendants. From what I can find these pendants have been dated to the 9th-10th century. This is probably the most exciting find if it indeed does depict Loki, not only because its the most recent, but similar pendants found on persons spanning over a century indicates a traditional family cult with Loki.

The The Arctic University of Norway report states;

“I will present here the not un-problematic idea that these face pendants from Bitterstad can represent Loki. There are two primary things that can point to this. First, the garnets themselves. These have, as we have mentioned several times, historically often related to fire. Fire is something that Loki is often connected with…The other interesting detail is the wrought stone from Snaptun Jutland which depicts Loki after he had his mouth sewn by the dwarf Brokk (Jørgensen 2010, pp. 149-150). Again, we find the relationship between fire and Loki to be interconnected…the images that are on the stone and on the jewelry from Bitterstad are relatively similar. Both figures have a strong mustache, round eyes, sharp marked nose and image of hair. This idea can of course not be proven but may be left as a speculative interpretation of the jewelry from Bitterstad.”

Bitterstad Pendants

Uppåkra Bracket Mount

Found in 2011, this bracket mount was discovered during excavations at Uppåkra, Sweden and dated tentatively to the 10th century. This site is one of the most important in Scandinavia as the oldest known hof or heathen temple and second largest after Uppsala. This one is a little tenious, but it has been identified as either Loki wearing Freyja's falcon cloak, or Völund the Smith, wearing the wings of his own invention. More information can be found in the paper "A winged figure from Uppåkra by Michaela Helmbrecht.

Uppåkra Bracket Mount

Vindelev Bracteate

Found in 2021 and arguably the most spectacular, a 6th century gold horde was discovered under what appears to be a chieftain's house near Vindelev, Denmark. This included a bracteate that bears the same cross-hatched mouth and other facial traits such as a swirled moustache and prominent nose. More can be found on the Vejle Museum website.

Vindelev Bracteate


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