An extraordinary discovery has been made near Lejre, Denmark—fragments of a magnificent pre-Viking helmet dating from approximately 650 to 750 CE. This rare find made in early 2024 by metal detectorists at Lillebro, just southwest of the famous Lejre hall complex, which consists of a lavishly decorated bronze helmet fitting, reinforces Lejre’s reputation as a centre of power during Scandinavia’s Germanic Iron Age.

“In itself, the discovery of helmet parts is a rare occurrence in Denmark. This piece comes from what must have been one of Scandinavia’s most magnificent helmets,” assesses ROMU’s chief archaeologist, Julie Nielsen.