The animal-head posts from the Oseberg find

Five animal-head posts were found in the Oseberg ship burial, four are displayed at the Viking Ship Museum. The heads are made of maple and are carved in various styles, but are all 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, but their placement in the burial chamber and special nature of the heads, suggest that they had magical or religious significance. The handles indicate 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 on the tapestry found in the burial.

Text based on:
A. W. Brøgger, H. Schetelig: Osebergfundet. Published by the Norwegian State in 1917