B. Calendars: Units

Opening the Oak-Coffins
99
B. CALENDARS
The following discussion is quite intricate, yet simple
(cf. Table III). It presupposes the acknowledgement
of a number of astronomical and ancient calendars
in use in the Nordic Bronze Age. It also presupposes
particular readings of the decorative zones and
their ornamental units arranged around the
centre of round items, as well as certain formulas
for establishing meaningful sums of units, that is,
numbers corresponding to days in a month of one
or the other calendar system. Thus, the supreme
round items are not calendars per se but the sums
of ornamental units per zone, when entered into the
said formulas, produce days of a particular number of
months. Ordinary artefacts of the same archaeological
types do not carry particular or secret numbers. But
they have the same formal properties.
A much later parallel to this phenomenon is early
runic literacy in Denmark of the Late Imperial period,
where some inscriptions are correct or largely correct,
by whatever standard. Other inscriptions only consist
of a series of single letters in more or less meaningless
order (cf. Fischer 2005).
UNITS
The numbers of main ornamental units - spirals or

concentric circles - on the round disc of the Trundholm
Sun-chariot of Period II, as well as on a number of
large very high quality round belt-plates of the same
period, seem to reflect the existence of four calendars
in the Early Bronze Age. The provision is the use of
the decorative zones as factors in the calculation. The
supposed calendars are the following:
(A) The correct/current annual calendar of 12 solar months and 365/366 (365) solar days, month
of (<)30 solar days; such calculations may be less
accurate than (B) and (C)
(B1) The annual calendar defined by 12 lunar
months of 29 solar days, thus being of 354 solar
days
(B2) The annual calendar defined by 12 lunar
months of 29 solar days, the half day thus omitted;
length 348 solar days
(C) The Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) calendar

of 360 solar days to a year, with months of 30 solar
days
(D) The length of human pregnancy = 9 lunar
months = 265 solar days
(E) Yet other?
Most belt-plates do not adhere to any of these
systems, being mere imitations of supreme artefacts,
thus with the same symbolic content, but lacking in
mathematics. Sometimes the visual number of spirals
or other decoration on these items may strike 29 or
30, for instance, which is interesting but far from the
construction of the supreme items. In the latter, the
sum of ornamental units in each decorative zone is
multiplied by the number of the said zone (from the
centre of the disc) before adding up the sums.
The interesting numbers of an annual cycle of
twelve months are therefore in, respectively, Lunar
months (Lunar months minus a day), Near Eastern
calendar months, and Solar months:
(I) 29 (29), 30, and 30
(II) 59 (58), 60, and 61
(III) 88 (87), 90, and 91
(IV) 118 (116), 120, and 122
(V) 147 (145), 150, and 152
(VI) 177 (174), 180, and 183
(VII) 206 (203), 210, and 213
(VIII) 236 (232), 240, and 244
(IX) 265 (261), 270, and 274
(X) 295 (290), 300, and 305
(XI) 324 (319), 330, and 335
(XII) 354 (348), 360, and 366
Note the increasing dispersal over the months, and
also that solar months are a little less than indicated.
An open question, perhaps, is the extent at which
halves of months were in use (c15 plus derivates and
multipla). In fact, several cases with exact numbers
seem acceptable, while one should probably always
remain sceptical about cases where exact numbers
are not found - thus about most.
Below, the common use of the standard Solar and
of the standard Lunar calendars is noted, but also the
Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) calendar is quite common (cf. Tables IVf. & the lists below). If joined, the
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standard Lunar calendar (of 29 days) and the reduced Lunar one (of 29 days) make up the most commonly used system. The complexity of the matrix is
noteworthy; contrary to common belief, the Sun is
not the only heavenly body in focus. Furthermore,
both cultic items and the belt-plates refer both to the
Sun and the Moon.
The most guarded and cherished treasures in the
Bronze Age might well have been tables of secret
numbers, with a value surpassing even copper, tin
and gold. Such tables would have seemed to contain
the deeper knowledge of cosmos and thus of its supreme bodies, deities and forces. In this way, the Sun
and the Moon, and their journeys, were intimately
connected with the elite of the elites of Early Bronze
Age society in Denmark, holding the most guarded
divine secrets of the universe - its powers and beings
- and thus the ultimate influence on and power over
the souls and the spirits of man as well.
ITEMS
The identified supreme artefacts with particular units of

ornamentation - triangular sun-rays, spirals and groups
of concentric circles - are listed below. It is mainly a
matter of drums/thrones from Hasfalva (Hungary)
and Balkkra, the Sun-Chariot from Trundholm, and
belt-plates from Langstrup and other localities mainly
on the Danish Isles (cf. Figs. 26f.).
Only artefacts with exact (+/-0) or virtual numerical
correspondences (+/-1), making up for inconsistencies
and minor errors, at least regarding one aspect of the
said item, are included in the primary list. Thus, small
numerical deviations are accepted, due to the nature
of the calendars and their sometime use of half days.
Other qualifications are also discussed. The primary
list is not exhausted but does include the most important items (below).
A secondary, and far from exhausted, list of beltplates etc. demonstrates the existence of artefacts where
the manufacturer understands the formal properties, but
is uninformed about the cosmological and numerical
secrets of the supreme items (further below).
It should be noted that the belt-plates in AK - only
rendered as quarters - are often reconstructions, sometimes erroneously. Only full and inspected specimens
are employed in the following:
The following calculations are employed (cf. Table

III):
(A) Total number of ornamental units, usually spirals;
(B) Total number of units provided by multiplication on round items by the primary zonal factors (first
decorative zone = 1, second one = 2; third one = 3;
fourth one = 4).
(C) Total number of units provided by multiplication on round items by the secondary zonal factors
= seeing the centre as a very first zone, the value of
which, when undecorated, being 0 (centre = 1; first
decorative zone = 2; second one = 3; third one = 4;
fourth one = 5).
SUPREME CULTIC ARTEFACTS
These artefacts comprise the foreign Sun drums/thrones,

the famous Nordic Sun-chariot (from Trundholm),
gold discs, and oversized cult-axes (cf. Table IV).
Other artefacts may be added, at least searched for
meaning, including the scimitars of Rrby type (AK
II 617). Belt-plates, including Langstrup (AK I 201) are
listed below. Necklaces (of collar or lunulae type) are
not studied in the present context.
- Foreign Sun-drums/Thrones
Hasfalva, Hungary (Knape & Nordstrm
1994) (Fig. 26)
337 rays in 6 zones around a Sun ornament, or
virtually 11 Solar months (336).
BALKKRA, SKNE (Knape & Nordstrm 1994)
(Fig. 27)
275 rays in 3+1+2 = 6 zones around a Sun ornament,
or exactly 9 Solar months.
- Nordic Sun-Chariot
Trundholm, HOLBK COUNTY
(AK II 867) (Fig. 28)
* Day side (gold foil) - 1 large concentric circle group
surrounded by 8 smaller ones, followed by a zone of
16 concentric circle groups in pairs, and finally of a
zone of 27 concentric circle groups = 52 ornamental
units in all, or exactly the number of weeks in a Solar
year, and thus a possible direct reference to this.

(A1) Including the central large concentric circle
in the first decorative zone, multiplying by the primary zonal factors gives 9x1+16x2+27x3 = 122, or
exactly one-third of a Solar year = 4 Solar months.
(B1a) Seeing the central large concentric circle as a
separate unit - a small Sun - and again multiplying by
the primary zonal factors gives 1x1+8x2+16x3+27x4
= 173, a number of no particular significance. (B1b)
Ignoring the central large concentric circle gives
8x1+16x2+27x3 = 121, or virtually four months, onethird of a Solar year (122), a result less satisfactory
than the above one (A1).
in the first decorative zone, multiplying by the secondary zonal factors gives 9x2+16x3+27x4 = 174, or
exactly half a Lunar year = 6 Lunar months, if omitting the half day.
(B2a) Seeing the central large concentric circle as
a separate unit, and, again, multiplying by the secondary zonal factors, gives 1x2+8x3+16x4+27x5 = 225,
or exactly 7 months in the ANE calendar, if halves
are employed. (B2b) Ignoring the large central concentric circle gives 8x2+16x3+27x4 = 172, a number
of no particular significance.
Thus, the day-side refers to the Sun, both in terms
of exact as well as and virtual (+/-1) calendar properties, even though an exact Lunar reference is housed
the secondary multiplication (A2), provided that the
large central concentric circle is included in the first
decorative zone and a Lunar month of only 29 days,
omitting the half day, is employed.
* Night side (no gold foil) - 1 large concentric circle
group surrounded by 8 smaller ones, followed by
a zone with 20 spirals in pairs, and finally a zone
of 25 concentric circle groups = 54 ornamental
units in all, a number of no particular significance.
However, the number might be an indication of
the higher number of weeks (54) required for a
Lunar year to become equal in length to a Solar
one (52), cf. above.
in the first decorative zone, multiplying by the primary zonal factors, gives 9x1+20x2+25x3 = 124, a
number of no particular significance.
(B1a) Seeing the large central concentric circle group as a separate unit - a small Sun - and
again multiplying by the primary zonal factors gives
101
1x1+8x2+20x3+25x4 = 177, or exactly half a lunar

year = 6 Lunar months. (B1b) Ignoring the central
large concentric circle gives 8x1+20x2+25x3 = 123,
or virtually one-third of a Solar year = four Solar
months (122).
in the first decorative zone, multiplying by the secondary zonal factors gives 9x2+20x3+25x4 = 178, or
virtually half a Lunar year = 6 Lunar months (177), a
result less satisfactory than the above one (B1a).
(B2a) Seeing the central large concentric circle as a separate unit and again multiplying by the
secondary zonal factors gives 1x2+8x3+20x4+25x5
= 231, or virtually two thirds of a Lunar year = 8
Lunar months, if omitting the half day (232). (B2b)
Ignoring the large central concentric circle gives
8x2+20x3+25x4 = 176, or virtually half a Lunar year
= 6 Lunar months (177).
Thus, the night side refers to the Moon, both in
terms of exact and virtual (+/-1) calendar properties; a virtual Solar reference is possible, but only if
the large central concentric circle is ignored in the
primary multiplication (B1b). The latter reference is
therefore less likely.
In conclusion, it is noted that the two most satisfactory, in fact exact, correspondences are A1 for
the day-side (4 Solar months) and B1a for the Nightside (6 Lunar months). These also avoid half calendar months (the case of the ANE calendar) and the
reduced Lunar month (of 29 days). Thus, these observations are guiding in the application of the two
rather more mathematical methods used below on
belt-plates.
In the case of the Sun-chariot, A1 = including the
central large concentric circle in the first decorative
zone, multiplication by the primary zonal factors before summing up; and, B1a = seeing the large central concentric circle group as a separate unit, multiplication by the same factors before summing up.
In the latter case, since the central large concentric
circle now takes on the value of 1, the surrounding
concentric circles carry the value of 2. On the below
belt-plates, this system is termed the secondary zonal
factors.
Incidentally, multiplying by the tertiary factors
does not yield any truly significant number. Further
experiments have not been undertaken.
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- Addendum: Golden disc

JGERSBORG HEGN,
KBENHAVN COUNTY (AK I 417, illustration
incorrect; Engelhardt 1868, Fig. 9). Large 8-pointed
star, c42 concentric circle groups, and, additional
ornamentation. 42 is a number of no particular
significance.
- Nordic Cult-axes24
MEUSE RIVER, BELGIUM ( Jensen 2002, 294)
73 spirals on one side, or virtually/exactly 2 Lunar
months (74/73, omitting the half day) - if halves are
employed. [If the same number of spirals occurs on
the other side the sum is 146, or virtually 5 Lunar
months (145), omitting the half day.]
This axe may refer to the Moon.
EGEBAK, HJRRING COUNTY ( Jensen 2002,
290)
(A) 82 spirals on one side plus 79 on the other = 161,
or virtually 5 Lunar months (160), or, virtually 5
Lunar months (162), omitting the half day, if halves
are employed. 82 and 79 are both numbers of no
particular significance.
(B) 93 spirals on one side plus 89 on the other =
182, or virtually 6 Solar months (183). 93 is virtually
3 Solar months (92); 89 is virtually 3 months in the
ANE calendar (90).
In all, 343 spirals, a number of no particular significance.
Axe (A) may thus refer to the Moon, Axe (B) to
the Sun.
SUPREME BELT-PLATES 25
These belt-plates all refer to calendar properties when
applying certain simple yet sophisticated formulas
(Table V, cf. Table III). In a number of cases specific
numbers occur as common divisors.
LAV, FREDERIKSBORG COUNTY (AK I 53)
(a) point with stepped brim, 2 decorative zones with
24 Selected sample only.
25 Selected sample only.
16+29(28+1) = 45 bosses set in concentric circles, the

outer ones paired, except for a single one (the exact
number of 29 is obviously important, equivalent to
one lunar month omitting the half day). 45 might be a
reference to 1 month in the ANE calendar, if halves
are employed. Multiplying by the primary zonal
factors gives 16x1+29x2 = 74, or exactly 2 Lunar
months, again if halves are employed.
Seeing the point as a zone (without decoration)
= multiplying by the secondary zonal factors gives
0x1+16x2+29x3 = 119, or virtually 4 Lunar months
(118), or, virtually 4 months in the ANE calendar
(120), 119 being exactly in between the other two
numbers.
This seemingly is the only belt-plate with only two
decorative zones adhering to calendar principles in
force.
All sums are divisible or near divisible by 15.
(B) point cut off (item de-sanctified?), 3 decorative
zones with 14+20+24 = 58 spirals, or exactly two
Lunar months without the half day. Multiplying by
the primary zonal factors gives 14x1+20x2+24x3 =
126, a number of no particular significance.
0x1+14x2+20x3+24x4 = 184, or virtually 6 Solar
months (183).
All counted numbers (14-20-24) and all sums are
divisible by 2, factors 7 - 10 - 12 for the former and
factors 29 - 63 - 92 for the latter (or, 29+63 = 92). All
sums are divisible or almost divisible by 3.
Langstrup, FREDERIKSBORG COUNTY
(AK I 201) (Fig. 29)
Powerful point with brim, 4 decorative zones with
15+22+26+32 = 95 spirals, a number of no particular
significance. Multiplying by the primary zonal factors
gives 15x1+22x2+26x3+32x4 = 265, or virtually
the number of days of human pregnancy (9 Lunar
months, or 265 days).
0x1+15x2+22x3+26x4+32x5 = 360, or the exact
number of days in the year of the ANE calendar.
For the experiment, multiplying by the third zonal
factors gives 0x2+15x3+22x4+26x5+32x6 = 455, a
number of no special significance.

All sums, even that of the third multiplication, are
divisible by 5; the factors are 19 - 53 - 72 (or, 19+53 =
72) 91 (or, 19+72 = 91).
JGERSBORG, KBENHAVN COUNTY (AK I
371)
Powerful point, 3 decorative zones with 15+20+23 =
58 spirals, perhaps a reference to 2 Lunar months,
omitting the half day. Multiplying by the primary
zonal factors gives 15x1+20x2+23x3 = 124, or close
to 4 Solar months (122).
0x1+15x2+20x3+23x4 = 182, or virtually 6 solar
months (183).
All sums are divisible by 2, factor 29 - 62 - 91 (or,
29+62 = 91).
Jgersborg Hegn/Rundforbi, Kbenhavn
County (AK I 426)
Powerful point with brim, 3 decorative zones with
11+17+25 = 53 spirals, a number of no particular
significance. Multiplying by the primary zonal factors
gives 11x1+17x2+25x3 = 120, or 4 months in the
ANE calendar.
0x1+11x2+17x3+25x4 = 173, or virtually 6 Lunar
months (174), omitting the day.
All sums are divisible or almost divisible by 6.
SKALSTRUP, KBENHAVN COUNTY (AK I
498I)
Powerful point, with a brim, 2 decorative zones
(seemingly, item not inspected) with 10+18 = 28 spirals,
a number of no particular significance. Multiplying by
the primary zonal factors gives 10x1+18x2 = 46, or 1
months in the Solar calendar, if halves are employed.
0x1+10x2+18x3 = 74, or 2 Lunar months, if halves
are employed.
All counted numbers and all sums are divisible
by 2.
RYE, HOLBK COUNTY (AK II 669)
Powerful point (repair), 3 decorative zones with
103
18+18+23 = 59 concentric circles and spirals, the

number perhaps a direct reference to two lunar months
(59/58, the latter if omitting the half day). Multiplying
by the primary zonal factors gives 18x1+18x2+23x3
= 123, or virtually 4 Solar months (122).
months (183).
HJBY, HOLBK COUNTY (AK II 845; Madsen
1872, Pl. 39:1)
Point with ring-shaped brim, 3 decorative zones
with 14+20+26 = 60 concentric circles (inner zone)
and spirals, linked in pairs (perhaps a direct reference
to two months in the ANE calendar). Multiplying by
132, or virtually 4 Lunar months (133), if halves are
employed.
Seeing the point as a zone (without decoration) = multiplying by the second zonal factor gives
0x1+14x2+20x3+26x4 = 192, or exactly 6 Lunar
months, if halves are employed.
All sums are divisible by 6, factors 10 - 22 - 32 (or,
10+22 = 32).
LYKKEBJERGGRD/Vallekilde, HOLBK
COUNTY (AK II 884)
Simple point, 3 decorative zones with 12+18+30
= 60 spirals, perhaps a reference to two months in
the ANE calendar (as well as to one in the outer
zone). Multiplying by the primary zonal factor gives
12x1+18x2+30x3 = 138, or virtually 4 Solar months
(137), if halves are employed.
0x1+12x2+18x3+30x4 = 198, or exactly 6 Solar
months, if halves are employed.
All counted numbers (12-18-30) and all sums are
divisible by 6, factors 10 - 23 - 33 (or, 10+23 = 33).
VOGNSERUP, HOLBK COUNTY (AK II 1043I;
Rieck 1971-72)
Point with brim, 3 decorative zones with
14+23+31 = 68 spirals, a number of no particular
significance. Multiplying by the primary zonal
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factors gives 14x1+23x2+31x3 = 153, or exactly 5

Solar months.
months, or 30 Lunar weeks, if halves are employed.
All sums are divisible by 17, factors 4 - 9 - 13 (or,
4+9 = 13).
SVENSTRUP, SR COUNTY (AK II 1160)
(A) Point missing, 3 decorative zones with 11+19+28
= 58 spirals, perhaps a reference to two Lunar months
omitting the half day. Multiplying by the primary
zonal factor gives 11x1+19x2+28x3 = 133, or exactly
4 Lunar months, if halves are employed.
0x1+11x2+19x3+28x4 = 191, or virtually 6 Lunar
months (192), if halves are employed.
All sums are divisible or almost divisible by 19,
and by 29, factors 2 - 4- 6
All sums are almost divisible by 19, factors (3) - 7
- (10).
(B) Powerful point with brim, 4 decorative
zones with 17+23+30+35 = 105 spirals, perhaps a
reference to exactly 3 months in the ANE calendar.
Multiplying by the primary zonal factor gives
17x1+23x2+30x3+35x4 = 293, or (likely) 10 Lunar
months (295/290, the latter if omitting the day),
293 being exactly in between 290 and 295.
= multiplying by the secondary zonal factor gives
0x1+17x2+23x3+30x4+35x5 = 398, or virtually 13
Solar months (397).
All sums are divisible or almost divisible by 21,
factors 5 - (14) - (19).
GAMMEL-TAPPERNJE, PRST COUNTY
(AK II 1266)
Point with weak riffle at base, 3 decorative zones with
11+19+29 = 59 spirals in intricate patterns, the ones
in the outer zone paired; 59 is perhaps a reference to
two Lunar months. Multiplying by the primary zonal
factor gives 11x1+19x2+29x3 = 136, or virtually
4 months in the ANE calendar (135), if halves are
employed.

0x1+11x2+19x3+29x4 = 195, or exactly 6 months
in the ANE calendar, if halves are employed.
All sums divisible, or almost divisible, by 3, and
by 4.
SVRDBORG, PRST COUNTY (AK II 1295)
Point with brim, 4 decorative zones with
13+23+29+38 = 103 spirals, perhaps a reference to
exactly 3 Lunar months, if halves are employed.
Multiplying by the primary zonal factors gives
13x1+23x2+29x3+38x4 = 298, a number of no
particular significance, or, possibly, a number right in
between 10 Lunar months (295) and 10 ANE calendar
ones (300).
0x1+13x2+23x3+29x4+38x5 = 401, a number of no
particular significance, or, possibly, a number right
in between 13 Lunar months (398) and 13 ANE
calendar ones (405), if halves are employed.
All sums divisible by 29 (but halves occur).
SKYDEBJERG LUNGER, ODENSE COUNTY
(AK III 1781)
Point with a brim, 3 decorative zones with 12+19+27
= 58 spirals, perhaps a reference to two Lunar months
without the half day. Multiplying by the primary zonal
factors gives 12x1+19x2+27x3 = 131, or exactly 4
Lunar months, without the half day.
= multiplying by the secondary solar factors gives
months without the half day.
All sums divisible by 29(but halves occur).
KRATHOLMGRD, ODENSE COUNTY (AK III

1846B)
Point with brim, 3 decorative zones with 13+21+31 =
65, a number of no particular significance. Multiplying
= 148, or exactly 5 Lunar months.
Seeing the point as a zone (without decoration) = multiplying by the secondary factors gives
months (214).

HESSELAGERGRD, SVENDBORG COUNTY
(AK III 2011B)
Simple point, 3 decorative zones with 11+17+26 =
54 spirals, a number of no particular significance.
11x1+17x2+26x3 = 123, or virtually 4 Solar months
(122).
Seeing the point as a zone (without decoration) = multiplying by the secondary factors gives
months.
Incidentally, all sums are divisible by 3, factors 18
- 41 - 59 (or, 18+41 = 59).
Snderh, THISTED COUNTY (AK XI
5039A)
Point without brim, 3 decorative zones with
17+22+28 = 67 spirals, paired except for the inner zone,
a number of no particular significance. Multiplying
= 145, or exactly 5 Lunar months, ignoring the half
day.
= multiplying by the secondary zonal factor gives
0x1+17x2+22x3+28x4 = 212, a number of no particular significance, or, possibly, a number right in
between 7 months in the ANE calendar (210) and 7
Solar months (214).
LANGVAD, THISTED COUNTY (AK XI 5542)
Point without brim, 2 decorative zones with 12+16 = 28
spirals, a number of no significance. Multiplying by the
primary zonal factors gives 1x12+2x16 = 44, a number
of no particular significance, unless one is dealing with
halves, in which case 1 Lunar months(/Lunar months
minus the half day) comes into question.
= multiplying by the secondary zonal factors, gives
0x1+12x2+16x3 = 72, a number of no particular
significance, or, virtually 2 Lunar months without
the half day (73), if halves are employed. However,
the correspondence is probably accidental, involving
two halves. All sums are divisible by 2 and almost by
29/29 (but halves occur).
105
HVERREHUS, VIBORG COUNTY (Broholm

1943f./Vol. I, Grave 728) (Fig. 30)
Point with brim, 3 decorative zones with 12+24+30
= 66 spirals, a number of no particular significance.
12x1+24x2+30x3 = 150, or exactly 5 months in the
ANE calendar.
= multiplying by the secondary zonal factors, gives
0x1+12x2+24x3+30x4 = 216, a number of no particular significance, or, possibly, close to 7 Solar
months (214), even though this link is not convincing.
All both counted numbers and sums are divisible
by 6. For the former factors 2 - 4 - 5; for the latter,
factors 11 - 25 - 36 (or, 11+25 = 36).
SKNE (SCANIA) (Montelius 1917 no. 954) (Fig.
31)
Large 9-pointed star around powerful point, 3
decorative zones with 8+15+21 = 44 spirals, a
number of no particular significance. Multiplying by
101 or virtually 3 Lunar months (102), if halves are
employed, and ignoring the half day.
months, ignoring the half day.
All sums are divisible by 29 (but halves occur).
ORDINARY BELT-PLATES 26
These belt-plates contain no or only a few simple
references to calendar principles, in the latter case
perhaps by chance (Table VI). Formulae hold no
meaning (cf. Table III). The below list is only a rather
limited sample.
- Two Zones
Unknown locality/DENMARK (National Museum B
3237)
2 decorative zones with 10+17 = 27 spirals, a number
26 Small sample only, a certain stress on large specimens.
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of no significance. Multiplying by the primary zonal

factors gives 10x1+17x2 = 44, a number of no
particular significance, unless one is dealing with
halves, in which case 1 Lunar months(/Lunar
months minus the half day) comes into question.
Incidentally, seeing the point as a zone (without
decoration) = multiplying by the secondary zonal factors, gives 0x1+10x2+17x3 = 71, a number of no particular significance.
LBY, Kbenhavn County (AK I 299)
2 decorative zones with 12+22=34 spirals, a number of
no particular significance. Multiplying by the primary
zonal factors gives 12x1+22x2 = 56, a number of no
decoration) = multiplying by the secondary zonal factors, gives 0x1+12x2+22x3 = 90, or exactly 3 months
in the ANE calendar, perhaps by chance.27
All both counted numbers and sums are divisible
by 2.
LYKKEBJERGGRD, Holbk County (National
Museum B 17587)
of no particular significance. Multiplying by the
primary zonal factors gives 10x1+17x2 = 44, a number
of no particular significance, unless one is dealing
with halves, in which case 1 Lunar months(/Lunar
months minus the half day) comes into question.
VOGNSERUP, Holbk County (AK II 1043I; Rieck
1971-72)
2 decorative zones with 12+20 = 32 spirals, a
the primary zonal factors gives 12x1+20x2 = 52, a
decoration) = multiplying by the secondary zonal fac27 See Frankerup and Hesselager below.
tors, gives 0x1+12x2+20x3 = 84, a number of no particular significance.

All sums are divisible by 4.
SKYDEBJERG LUNGER, Odense County (AK III
1781)
2 decorative zones with 12+19 = 31 spirals, perhaps
a direct reference to 1 Solar month. Multiplying by
VELLINGE, Odense County (AK III 1868)
2 decorative zones with 12+19 = 31 spirals, perhaps
a direct reference to 1 Solar month. Multiplying by
LKJR, Thisted County (AK XI 5085)
of no particular significance. Multiplying by the
primary zonal factors gives 14x1+22x2 = 58, or
exactly 2 Lunar months without the half day.
decoration) = multiplying by the secondary zonal
factor gives 0x1+14x2+22x3 = 94, a number of no
particular significance. Thus, the above calendar correspondence is likely accidental.
HAVERSLEV, lborg County (private collection
Regnar Pedersen, Nysum 1508)
2 decorative zones with 11+20 = 31 spirals, perhaps a
reference to a Solar month. Multiplying by the primary
decoration) = multiplying by the secondary zonal fac-

tors, gives 0x1+11x2+20x3 = 82, a number of no particular significance.
LVDAL, lborg County (Thisted Museum,
unknown no.)
2 decorative zones with 11+16 = 27 spirals, a number of
special significance.
HVERREHUS, Viborg County (Broholm 1943f./
Vol. I, Grave 730)
Point with a weak tendency towards brim, 2
decorative zones with 10+16 = 26 spirals. Multiplying
by the primary zonal factors gives 1x10+2x16 = 42, a
BUSTRUP, Viborg County (Broholm 1943f./Vol. I,
Grave 741)
reference to 1 Solar month. Multiplying by the primary
No. 2, BORUM ESHJ, Grave C [not dendro-dated]
(Broholm 1943f./Vol. I, Grave 791; Boye 1896, 58f.)
reference to 1 month in the ANE calendar (the point is
separately cast, the item likely repaired). Multiplying
by the primary zonal factors gives 12x1+18x2 = 48, a
107

LIN, rhus County (Broholm 1943f./Vol. I, Grave
794)
2 decorative zones with 6+12 = 18 spirals and paired
concentric circles around bosses (outer zone), a
the primary zonal factors gives 6x1+12x2 = 30, or
exactly one month in the ANE calendar.
decoration) = multiplying by the secondary zonal factors, gives 6x2+12x3 = 48, a number of no particular
significance. Thus, the above calendar reference is
probably accidental.
No. 18 STOREHJ, EGTVED (AK IX 4357;

Thomsen 1929-35, Fig. 8)
2 decorative zones with 10+17 = 27 spirals. Multiplying
by the primary zonal factors gives 1x10+2x17 =
44, a number of no particular significance, unless
one is dealing with halves, in which case 1 Lunar
months(/Lunar months minus the half day) comes
into question.
- Three Zones
Unknown locality/DENMARK (National Museum B
2652)
3 decorative zones with 12+21+28 = 62 spirals, perhaps
a reference to two solar months (61). Multiplying by
decoration) = multiplying by the secondary zonal factors gives 0x1+12x2+21x3+28x4 = 201, a number of
no significance.
108
Acta Archaeologica
FRANKERUP, Sor County (AK II 1173),

(A) Powerful step-brimmed point (repair), 3 decorative zones with 13+17+22 = 52 spirals, a number of
zonal factors gives 13x1+17x2+22x3 = 113, a number
decoration) = multiplying by the secondary zonal factors gives 0x1+13x2+17x3+22x4 = 165, or exactly
5 months in the ANE calendar, if halves are introduced.28
(B) 3 decorative zones with 12+18+20 = 50, a
no particular significance.
SVRDBORG, Prst County (AK II 1295)

3 decorative zones with 13+18+23 = 55 spirals, a
the primary zonal factor gives 13x1+18x2+23x3 = 118,
or exactly 4 Lunar months, perhaps by chance.
no particular significance, even though it comes rather
close to 6 Lunar months without the half day (174).
VELLINGE, Odense County (AK III 1868),
(A) 3 decorative zones with 13+17+21 = 51 spirals, a
number of no significance. Multiplying by the primary
zonal factors gives 13x1+17x2+21x3 = 110, a number
decoration) = multiplying by the secondary zonal fac28 Along with lby above and Hesselager (below) this is the only
belt-plate studied where a secret number occurs from the
second and not from the first multiplication (but see the nightside of the disc of the Sun-chariot); halves are also involved,
which adds to the uncertainty. The particular brimmed point,
often a visual indicator of high quality of craftmanship and
secret numbers, is a repair; thus the listing with this group.
tors gives 0x1+13x2+17x3+21x4 = 161, a number of

(B) 3 decorative zones with 10+14+20 = 44 spirals,
a number of no particular significance, unless one is
dealing with halves, in which case 1 Lunar months(/
Lunar months minus the half day) comes into question. Multiplying by the primary zonal factors gives
10x1+14x2+20x3 = 98, a number of no particular significance.
decoration) = multiplying by the second zonal factors
gives 0x1+10x2+14x3+20x4 = 142, a number of no
FJELSTED, Odense County (AK III 1917)

3 decorative zones with 14+18+20 = 52 spirals.
significance.
HESSELAGER, SVENDBORG COUNTY (AK III
2014A)
decoration) = multiplying by the secondary factors
gives 0x1+14x2+21x3+28x4 = 203, or exactly 7 Lunar months, without the half day.29
All both counted numbers, and all sums, are divisible by 7. For the former, factors 2 - 3 - 4; for the latter,
factors 9 - 20 - 29 (or, 9+20 = 29).
SKAGEN/RBJERG, Hjrring County (National
Museum MDCCCXXI)
3 decorative zones with 10+19+27 = 56 spirals.
29 Cf. lby and Frankerup (note) above.

significance.
VRANUM, Viborg County (Broholm 1943f./Vol. I,
Grave 695)
3 decorative zones with 11+18+24 = 53 groups of
linked concentric circles (in the outer zone paired), a
119, or virtually 4 months in the ANE calendar (120).
no particular significance. Thus, the former near cor-
109
respondence is probably accidental; also, the point

is of standard type and the craftsmanship rather ordinary.
THORSTED, Ringkbing County (AK X 4762)
number of no significance, or, an exact reference to
1 Solar month, possibly by chance. Multiplying by
97, a number of no significance. I n c i d e n t a l l y ,
seeing the point as a zone (without decoration) =
multiplying by the secondary zonal factors gives
0x1+13x2+15x3+18x4 = 143, a number of no
Other items, analyzed for calendar properties in
the main text - belt-boxes, hanging vessels, shields,
etc. - from Period III onwards, are not listed in the
appendices since a full study has not been undertaken
of the material in question.

B. Calendars: Units

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B. Calendars: Units

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Opening the Oak-Coffins

The numbers of main ornamental units - spirals or

(C) The Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) calendar

The identified supreme artefacts with particular units of

The following calculations are employed (cf. Table

SUPREME CULTIC ARTEFACTS

These artefacts comprise the foreign Sun drums/thrones,

Opening the Oak-Coffins

1x1+8x2+20x3+25x4 = 177, or exactly half a lunar

- Addendum: Golden disc

16+29(28+1) = 45 bosses set in concentric circles, the

Opening the Oak-Coffins

18+18+23 = 59 concentric circles and spirals, the

factors gives 14x1+23x2+31x3 = 153, or exactly 5

= multiplying by the secondary zonal factors gives

KRATHOLMGRD, ODENSE COUNTY (AK III

Opening the Oak-Coffins

HVERREHUS, VIBORG COUNTY (Broholm

of no significance. Multiplying by the primary zonal

tors, gives 0x1+12x2+20x3 = 84, a number of no particular significance.

Opening the Oak-Coffins

Incidentally, seeing the point as a zone (without

No. 18 STOREHJ, EGTVED (AK IX 4357;

FRANKERUP, Sor County (AK II 1173),

SVRDBORG, Prst County (AK II 1295)

tors gives 0x1+13x2+17x3+21x4 = 161, a number of

FJELSTED, Odense County (AK III 1917)

Opening the Oak-Coffins

respondence is probably accidental; also, the point

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