Audio transcript: More Than Matter 

Objects can be more than mere material — they can carry an identity, perhaps even a soul. 

Medieval written sources take us to northern Europe and show that people there also attributed special powers to objects. In the Old Norse sagas, swords were given names and had destinies and personalities of their own. They could bring fortune or misfortune and influence the will of their bearers. Whether the owner of this sword thought in the same way remains uncertain — but it is possible. 

The idea that objects possess a soul can be found in many cultures and across different time periods. At first this may sound strange. Yet even today we carry lucky charms or complain about stubborn devices that seem to have a will of their own. 

If an object is more than just matter, when does it begin to live? And is it possible to take away its power, to “kill” it and break its spirit? Perhaps this could explain the deliberate destruction and deposition of the objects. Did dangerous things have to be rendered harmless? Or were they no longer used because they were believed to bring misfortune? After all, they had already lost a battle. 

Lost 

Sword from the second half of the 4th century with a damascened blade and a three-part antler hilt.  

Location: Nydam Moor  

Material: Iron, antler