Animal-head posts

Five animal-head posts were found in the Oseberg burial, four of which are displayed at the Viking Ship Museum. The heads are made of maple and are carved differently, but what they have in common is their size: all are between 50 and 54 cm. long. They have slots at the bottom where handles were fitted. The length of the handles varied from 52 to 74 cm.

The animal-head posts were found grouped together in a corner of the burial chamber. Near them lay a rattle and an iron hook that were connected with two ropes. One of the ropes passed through the mouth of one of the animal heads.

The purpose of these animal-head posts is unknown. The circumstances of their position in the burial chamber, combined with the nature of the heads, suggest that they had a magical or religious significance. The presence of handles indicates that the heads were not attached to other objects or structures, but were meant to be carried. It is possible that the animal-head posts were used in religious processions, such as those portrayed in the tapestry found in the burial.

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