While fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe might be familiar with Odin through the movies featuring Thor, historians have known him for a long time. Odin, part of Norse mythology, is referred to as the king of the gods, the ‘All-father’ of mortals & gods, and the god of death. While the previously oldest known artifact hinting at the Norse god was much younger, a recent excavation has unearthed a gold pendant in Denmark that shows the earliest known inscription mentioning Odin dating back to the fifth century AD.
Dug Up Gold
The pendant or bracteate was discovered as part of a gold hoard excavated in 2021 from Jutland, Denmark. Now referred to as the ‘Vindelev hoard,’ the trove had around 2.2 pounds or 1 kilogram of gold. It was then studied for more than a year by runologist Lisbeth Imer and linguist Krister Vasshus of the National Museum of Denmark, who also deciphered the inscriptions on the pendant. Made from thin, stamped gold, it shows ‘the first time in the history of the world that Odin’s name was mentioned,’ says Imer. She further elaborates that this ‘means that Norse mythology can now be dated all the way back to the early fifth century.’
Decoding
According to their studies, the inscriptions on the pendant show the face of a Norse king at the center. She also reveals that the rune script inscriptions say, ‘He is Odin’s man’ along with ‘Jaga’ or ‘Jagaz,’ a name in the primitive Norse language. Imer reveals that she believes that the wording refers to the central motif depicting a man with a horse, portraying the local magnate or king, who presents himself as a descendant of the king of gods and the god of kings, Odin. The pendant has been found to be more worn than the rest of the trove showing the possibility that it could have been a holy inscription and was revered by people.
The Best Kettles to Buy in 2022
Whether you’re a tea or coffee person, a kettle is a highly essential appliance in your kitchen. A great kettle is worth more than just boiling a cup of water. With functional applications, a kettle can bring variety not just to your beverages, but to your regular life too! Here are a few top choices of kettles to bring into your kitchen this year.
KitchenAid Artisan Variable Temperature 1.5L Kettle 5KEK1522
If you are a perfectionist, this kettle is perfect for you! This is the best-in-line variable temperature kettle on the market. You can manually control the temperature of your beverage of choice. The manual guidelines provide you with the details of temperature settings to be used for everything from green tea to different types of hot chocolate. The kettle also comes with a cool retro design featuring a temperature dial, making it an instant eye-catcher on your kitchen counter.
Kenwood Mesmerine ZJM811 Jug Kettle
One of the top kettles available in the market, this one perfectly combines form and function. As the fastest kettle on the list, this particular model takes just over 40 seconds to boil 250 ml of water. The maximum capacity of 1.6 liters will take just three minutes to boil. Making multiple speedy cups of Joe for your entire family is no big deal with this one! Even while recently boiled, the outside of the kettle remains conveniently cool. The model also comes in vibrant metallic shades and a stylish glossy finish.
De’Longhi Simbolo KBJX3001.W Electric Kettle
This kettle features a robust and sturdy exterior with an attractive geometric pattern. This particular kettle boils enough water for a large mug in under 50 seconds and takes just over two minutes to boil one liter. The kettle automatically clicks off at the end of each boiling cycle, making the rolling boil stop after a couple of seconds. The classy and compact design of the kettle ensures efficient usage of space even on a crowded kitchen counter.