The Mysterious Horned Helmets of Bronze Age Europe

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thanks for watching! Please hit "like" and share the video around - it helps me out enormously. And if you enjoy my videos please consider supporting the channel: Patreon ➜ www.patreon.com/dandavisauthor My books ➜ amzn.to/3xngwz5

[@CaucAsianSasquatch]

Completely unrelated question. What was the event that preceded and Started the Viking era. Hypothesis, the development, or introduction of improved farming methods, AND the adaptation of Braccia to these improved farming practices increased the population density and the specialization of skills to lead to both the Long ship, iron and navigation.

[@jainamaden156]

@@CaucAsianSasquatch Charlemagne colonizing & christianization. See danish kings Sigfred and Gudfred.

[@Thrace33.]

Just got the audiobook for book one of the gods of bronze …. This channel is what convinced me …. I really look forward to them. As an aside …. Have a look at the band Heilung and what they bring to life of the Bronze Age (and they play the U.K. in Dec !!)

[@raccoonresident5760]

The Iberian warrior stela again ownership. Why bury it? Change of ownership?

[@natalielambert4378]

Can you do the 'handbags' please? I'd like to see what you can find out abut these things. They are in the hands of so many different cultures from around the world they deserve more attention.

[@thegeop5906]

It's a shame the Bronze Age is so much underrated, underrepresented and overshadowed by the following ancient world in all kinds of media. Although it's obviously a period full of wonders and mysteries! It reminds me of the Paleozoic which doesn't get equal attention as the Mesozoic. Thanks for this wonderful channel!

[@impishrebel5969]

What are you talking about, the Paleozoic always seemed to be THE go-to when I was growing up.

[@missourimongoose8858]

Fun fact: more treasure has been found from bronze age Scandinavia than viking age Scandinavia by a lot

[@asierurteaga1227]

Mesolitic, before, we merely know how to do a axe or a spear, after we have basicaly neolitic technology without harvests

[@uncannyvalley2350]

Check out the Cucuteni Tripillia culture of the Balkans, source of the Thracians, Pelasgians, Gauls, Phrygians, Sintians and Phoenicians, aka Celts. Oldest civilisation on earth, at least 8000 years old, and connected to the Zodiac, all the Major Religions, Gobekli Tepe, and Stonehenge, along with ties to North American Tribes such as the Algonquin, Adena, Maya, and Aztecs

[@chrissibersky4617]

What do you mean by "underrated, underrepresentated and overshadowed? Never heard of The Old Testament, The Iliad or the Egyptian Kings? Bronze Age has probably been more studied and popular than any other historic era. It is probably so common that you don't react when you hear it referenced. I think it's just the opposite. Now we start to get a bit about other periods and because it has always been about Egypt, Greece and middle east it seems overwhelming, though it's really still very little in comparison.

[@danieldover3295]

Having studied the bronze age collapse quite a bit, that was a surprisingly enlightening video. I feel like parts of the story just became a lot more visible

[@santiesposito8730]

The idea of Bronze Age kingdoms having two chiefs sounds very similar to the Spartan system where they had two kings who were supposed to check each other's decisions, or even the Roman system where they had two consuls, the idea of one being able to veto the other if they were about to make a bad decision. Perhaps this is the Bronze Age roots of those systems? I think you've built a fantastic case for Bronze Age Europe being a cosmopolitan culture, if there was long-distance trade from Britain to the Middle East and a shared warrior-aristocrat culture between the kingdoms, like you were saying, the young warrior from one kingdom going to serve as a squire in another king's retinue, and finding these horned helmets distributed so far and wide, I'm just blown away by this portrait of the European Bronze Age culture.

[@vergil8833]

The Bronze Age is looking more and more like the Conan the Barbarian universe. I can just imagine the swole bronze horned warriors with bronze swords fighting snake men in deep tombs when I see all those small horned statuettes.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Yeah this is why I set my novel series in the Bronze Age.

[@talyn3932]

Conan was originally based in an analogue of Post bronze age collapse Europe. I love this era as well. I've started writing a novel set in the Bronze Age Collapse and focused on Egypt and Mycenae as major players with my main characters being Sea Peoples.

[@jonpaul3868]

The Riddle of steel. Steel as in Conan age is highly priced. As its setting is in the end of bronze age. Funny enough, the blacksmith society approve this "Riddle of steel" as a part of actual history. Since the first gen of blacksmith, due their limited metalurgy knowledge, wondered why some irons are more shiny and hard than the other.

[@3rdeye671]

@@jonpaul3868 steel didn't come about in Europe until the late middle Ages or the early Industrial Revolution. Blacksmiths couldn't get they're forges hot enough to melt iron until this period, that's why they hit the hot iron with a hammer, to beat out the impurities. The Japanese accidently discovered how to make steel around 1,000 AD by their method of melting the iron and it fell into the carbon rich charcoal. Steel is made by mixing carbon into the iron, something that was unknown to the West until the industrial Revolution introduced cast iron smelting processes using giant sized crucibles where they first were able to melt iron.

[@Judge_Magister]

@@3rdeye671 i believe there are some findings of ancient steel from before 1750AD. Mainly in Anatolia, India and China. But yes the knowledge and capabilities for making steel were not really present or known before the industrial revolution. Perhaps made rarely by a secluded grandmaster or by accident. Maybe it was a close guarded secret like Greek fire or Roman concrete that was lost in time.

[@ghostagent3552]

Truly weird how despite how long ago it was, the human culture as a whole is pretty much almost always connected one way or another. Someone really should make a comprehensible timeline videos with all the cultures we know going through time together.

[@karonga629]

It is simply how fashion works and spreads through commerce and tourism. It works like that today and it has been working like that for ages. One example of this is how jeans fashion has spread through the entire world thanks to commerce and globalization. Before the 50s the world was divided into how men and women used to dress. Men and women in the Middle East and other undeveloped countries at the time dressed differently than people in the United States. When jeans started to come in the 60s and 70s the fashion spread first in the United States and then to other parts of the world until using jeans became a common use of clothing for both men and women in the entire world no matter where you go. Even in Africa using jeans is the common standard of casual clothing today. Perhaps in the Bronze Age using bronzed horned helmets was the standard of military armor for all soldiers in most civilizations in the Bronze Age. Is like today's soldiers clothing. Is practically the same-looking clothing in every part of the world no matter how developed or underdeveloped the country is. And this also applies to weaponry and technology overall. Almost all country's armies today have tanks, jets, and all sorts of heavy artillery thanks to global commerce.

[@ghostagent3552]

@@karonga629 The only part I'll object is your stance on how widespread the technologies of those times are. Although people did trade from half the world away at that time, most are still independent and/or self-sufficient (unless you're include the times of famine) and hence although some may import bronze armors and weaponry, it will not look the same unless it is make with a specific function in mind.

[@karonga629]

@@ghostagent3552 Trust me when I say that civilizations were way more economically connected than you think. One kingdom may have provided food for another kingdom that didnt produce food at all. That type of import - export exchange.

[@ghostagent3552]

@@karonga629 Like I said, I'm opposing your stance on it being "the same-looking", I didn't say that they weren't economically connected in a major way.

[@Titan.Uranus]

Let's all agree on, "Levi's & Strauss" smashed it, & showed the world how to bring, sexy back, yeah! With how ideas are shared worldwide...think quantum entanglement, true story. 🧐🤯 "...There is nothing new under the sun..." Hermes/ Thoth

[@Non-Serviam300]

If I had had you as my professor in college, this would’ve been far and away my favorite class!

[@mattchristensen7802]

They won't teach you the real deal in collages just create sheep to say the same garbage they already said so people don't find out the people they trust know nothing.

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

The Shardana were possibly the majority of the reason for the Mediterranean horned helms, as the more we learn about the collapse, the more it seems that they were connected with the Mycenaeans. Not from bloodlines but through alliances, as the Greek sphere of influence formed settlements all around the Med, from the Iberian peninsula and southern France around the coastline, both north and south (but more predominately the north). Eric Cline's book 1177 goes into things quite deeply, and helps bring together many ideas regarding tribal interconnection and the reasons for the Bronze-age collapse.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Yeah I've read that. I'll make videos about the collapse at a later date.

[@YOGITHABEARv2]

Saw from another KZbin channel that the gods in ancient Sumerian we're the only ones at that time with horned helmets.

[@chesthoIe]

@@YOGITHABEARv2 If only the video that you are commenting on would dispel that rumor.

[@talyn3932]

Eric Cline has many great books, that one is a great read. The Sherden were indeed major players in the collapse. They were involved in many major battles of the era including Kadesh and both Egyptian invasions around 30 years apart. So they remained a power to be reckoned with for at least 3/4 a century. I'm pretty sure that by the wording at Medinet Habu, the Sherden were decidedly dealt with by the Egyptians after 1178 though.

[@uncannyvalley2350]

Thera Eruption

[@Ymirson999]

Your mention of the hero twins in Indo-European mythology and the association of them with travelling and journeys/quests is interesting. The Navaho of the American South-West have a similar myth of twin heroes who journey to the place of the Sun (who was their father) and from him they receive knowledge and weapons to defeat monsters who are terrifying the lands in which the Twins live.

[@Firkant2]

Wow

[@violetopal6264]

Wonder if there were some ancient brother-explorers that were told as history until became myth? 🤔 Something to think about anyway

[@BGeezy4sheezy]

Mayan mythology has a very similar story too. It’s probably a myth common to almost all human groups

[@ThomasEPeters]

A rival to the Hellhound myth for oldest in the world?

[@buckystanton9139]

this is simply one of the best channels on youtube imo -- will patreon support when a little more financially sercure in a few months. Incredible work thanks for doing all this synthesis so carefully.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you very much! I certainly wouldn't want anyone to support on patreon unless they can easily spare it. It's also great when people support by sharing the videos with their friends and on social media, that makes a huge difference. Cheers.

[@sophroniel]

I wish I could financially support too cos, same (you said it a bit better than I could've, however!!)

[@Vicus_of_Utrecht]

I'm from the future and I hate to tell you guys but...

[@buckystanton9139]

@@Vicus_of_Utrecht this legit just reminded me to do this so I did haha

[@ravensthatflywiththenightm7319]

I've waited a long time for a very detailed video about the Bronze Age horned helmets. Finding this made me so happy.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you and I'm glad to hear it but I wouldn't say it is "very detailed" would you? We have a lot of ground to cover! I intend to make follow up videos focusing on specific aspects - let me know what you would like more info on. Cheers.

[@ravensthatflywiththenightm7319]

@@DanDavisHistory Perhaps I chose the word poorly. I was thinking of how the other videos I've seen, they kind of brush through the horned helmets really quickly. Whereas you took the time to bring up the different cultures and sites that had horned helmets. Still, I do look forward to those follow up videos.

[@DanDavisHistory]

@Ravens that Fly with the Nightmare Eyes thank you.

[@jairoukagiri2488]

@@DanDavisHistory More detail than most can muster good sir.

[@18Bees]

Great job mate. This videos got me reading more on Nuragic civilization. Ancient stone structures is a real interest of mine.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you. Yeah they're amazing. Some of the reconstructions look like a cross between an Iron Age Scottish broch and a medieval castle.

[@18Bees]

@@DanDavisHistory You've got me thinking and maybe believing experience and memory can be transferred genetically. What a lovely word "Broch"

[@18Bees]

@@DanDavisHistory and thanks for giving me a great idea. now i'm going to build a broch beehive!

[@lucaloddo825]

My comment most probably sounded like spam and got removed apparently, a weird spam about sardinian communities lmao

[@Simplicius95]

in Balearic Islands its exist the same structures, calleds Talayots, they were the same people in ancient times

[@savvygood]

Oh, that's where you got your twin characters from. One was God born and one was mortal born. Interesting video. I love this kind of thing.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Yes and actually Herakles in Greek myth had a mortal twin brother.

[@madderhat5852]

@@DanDavisHistory Wow, twins again. Like Romulus and Remus and the Hero Twins of Meso-American religions. Twins must have been good luck for parents in these cultures.

[@3rdeye671]

@@madderhat5852 twins were usually considered a bad omen, as it is an unnatural birth.

[@sarah3796]

😳😮! Fascinating. And I’m a twin

[@savvygood]

Twins would have been a somewhat dangerous event. Even with single births, there was a high death rate. Plenty of religious rituals around birth. They’ve found a woman who died giving birth to triplets in a grace in England during the Roman occupation. I wonder if the Godborn/mortal born has anything to do with which one came our first. And then the second. Jacob and Esau also famous twins.

[@bc7138]

Thanks for the fascinating video. I think it's interesting that during the Hellenistic age cultures outside of Greece adopted Greek style helmets and armour like in North Africa, Italy and parts of the Middle East. I wonder if that was also the case in the Bronze Age, with many different cultures deriving their horned helmets from a single original culture or civilisation through trade as your video states. Maybe it was Mycenae or the civilisations of the Near East that kicked off this trend. I remember reading that samurai helmets from 16th century Japan also had horns attached but they were manufactured from lightweight materials that were lacquered. Perhaps Bronze Age helmets didn't have real animal horn attached to them but were made from other materials (maybe wood, leather?) Which would be more practical for combat as they'd be lighter in weight and would be less likely to snag on an enemy's weapon.

[@patxi601]

Very interesting. Here in spain they recently discovered that the famous warrior's stone stela were nearly always in relation with mines of metals. It looks like an indoeuropean lord, warrior or army, used that Stones to said "Be carefull, here I am", or so. Mostly of them were moved from their original sites, but we have hundreds.

[@richardcook5919]

I've seen a few of the stelae in the museums of Extremadura and western Andalusia. I attended a lecture on the copper-age Valencina mega-site last year at the Museo Arqueológico Nacional in Madrid last year, and I visited the Tarteso exhibition in Alcalá de Henares last month.

[@lmonk9517]

One has to wonder how these horned helmet motif and practical examples evolved into the Iron age. The Gundestrup cauldron has a depiction of a man wearing a helmet very similar in design to those uncovered at Vekso. Perhaps gods such as Pan and cernunnos are part of a much older tradition. There is even a horned Viking depicted on the tapestry fragments located on the Oseburg ship burial, showing that the wearing of Horns may have persisted in Scandinavia. Those this could instead be depicting the 'spear dancer' motif

[@DanDavisHistory]

Yes indeed.

[@uncannyvalley2350]

It's a representation of Venus in the Morning and the evening

[@jasamkrafen]

According to prof Garrett Olmsted, the god on the Gundestrup Cauldron is Cu Chulain from Irish Myth. The cauldron being brought up from Thrace perhaps, being made for the Celtic patron/tribe who had their version of the Tain Myth. Yes the stag itself is linked with the sun. But the horns on the head are representational of the rescent shape of the inner planets - Venus and mercury, and the moon. According to him, on the cauldron the god is a representation of the planet mercury at night, and the cauldron as a whole is depicting scenes from the Irish Tain myth. One can trace these motifs and myth sources all over the Info European world, along the trade routes and even back to Sumeria

[@missourimongoose7643]

I've wondered about that myself and I think that a bronze sword would be damaged by the horns on a helmet before it made a direct hit but when iron was invented it wasn't as easily damaged so the horns fell out of favor but I could be wrong who knows

[@lmonk9517]

​@@missourimongoose7643 I think it is wrong to assume that every item used in warfare was 100% practical. These were deeply spiritual and superstitious people who had a deep culture, full of symbols and meanings. We know that some Norse Warriors called berserkers and Úlfhéðnar would enter battle dressed as Animals. From a purely utilitarian standpoint this has no benefit in battle. But from a psychological and mythic standpoint it might have helped to embolden the warrior and to frighten his opponent. I would think that Horned helmets were more about psychological advantage, likely holding mythic/spiritual symbolism as well. I think the lack of iron age horned helmets might be more to do with preservation. Iron is far more perishable and unlikely to survive. Maybe an iron version of the the Waterloo helmet existed but corroded to dust.

[@samshootman6510]

I was thinking, running with the idea that kingship in the Nordic Bronze Age was a diarchy, maybe similar to the Cherokee War Chief/Peace Chief system, so that the long horns could be reserved for the priest-king (magnificent, unwieldy, decorative), while the shorter horns were for the warrior-kings (tactical, battle-ready symbolism). Also, while I have you here, maybe the Minoan labrys is a symbolic, regionally stylized version of the 'wielding two axes' thing? Fun stuff!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Yes that is certainly plausible. There is a theory that the Mycenean "wanax" was the high king, a semi-divine or at least holy leader and there was a "lawagetas" who was the royal war leader. Proponents of this theory suggest something similar (or indeed the same) is seen in Nordic BA society. It's been argued that the hooked "beak" at the front of the Vekso helms and the Fogdarp horse yoke twin figures is also another expression of the axe symbol. The twin figures from Zealand (as seen in the drawing) each originally held a ritual axe - more double axes. All this will require another video of course but it's fascinating.

[@talyn3932]

@@DanDavisHistory There is also the undecided position of the Basilius in pre Archaic Greek society. Later Greeks used it in their government structure but it was a very old word for Tribal chief and essentially filled the same role as Wanax.

[@uncannyvalley2350]

The labrus is a Sextant, for noting the positions of stars for the purposes of navigation, put on the ground the Fixed angle between the hilt and the back edge of the blade gives an azimuth for whatever major star is at that point, giving the user the information needed to determine the direction of travel. They're also found in North America at the same time as red ochre burials, the oldest graves in Nth America around 4000 -2000 BC

[@Cobbido]

Warriors wouldn't be wearing horned helmets in actual battle though.

[@3rdeye671]

@@Cobbido why not? The Greek hoplites & Roman officers had plumed crests on their helmets going into battle. The depictions of the Sea Peoples shows them arriving or in battle wearing their horned helmets. Do you think these Horned helmets would be removed and they went without head protection into battle? Where would they stack all the helmets, in a little pile while their enemies waited for them to be properly attired, like wearing a hat at the dinner table, do you think it would be bad manners to wear into battle? Most battles were shield wall to shield wall or phalanx to phalanx so the horns may offer protection to sideways aimed sword swings, but most of the danger lay in the groin/thigh region where a thrust would cut the main artery and the victim bleed to death in less than a minute.

[@barbarne]

Your videos are getting better and better, I would love to hear more about bronze age scandinavia! I recognized the image you used from Håga Mound instantly even though I haven't been there for a years and years, since I went there so many times during my childhood. I grew up 2km from there and did not have a single clue that it's one of the most amazing archaeological finds from the bronze age, and learning more about the period now makes me feel really connected to home and the (pre-)history of my region. So thank you so much for this!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you, great to hear it! Yes it's an amazing site. There is so much more to say about the Nordic Bronze Age, I will certainly make more videos about it.

[@thatguyharambe8757]

I would also like to point out that in both Solar Deer representations, the large sun is paired with a Buck that has a VERY prominent rack, while the small sun is paired with a deer with a smaller rack as well; is this perhaps indicative of hunting/rutting seasons? Perhaps the best hunting for deer was when the sun was at its zenith in that location?

[@Peter-ri9ie]

Some months ago you made a video that I commented on. It had made me think about an article I read many years ago about similarities between Bronze Age carvings in Sweden and parts of the eastern Mediterranean. (I cannot remember if Iberia was mentioned in it.) Very interesting subject. In school when I grew up the north was considered an isolated and primitive part on the far outside of the civilized world. Good to see that archeology and history has improved. This was just what I needed on a Monday. It was a real treat watching. Thanks! 🙏🏻

[@juneroberts5305]

Every time someone says horns were impractical as part of a warriors headgear, I think of the Winged Hussars. In theory, those 'wings' are utterly impractical and cumbersome. In practise, well.....

[@liamredmill9134]

You missed an important bronze age horn,found in the hundreds in Cornwall and Ireland,which lends an interesting twist to what people were thinking,and that is the finely cast horn(known as the lizard)from Cornwall and elsewhere,it is a sophisticated musical horn made of sheet bronze,in very variable shapes and sizes.dont know if it's just a theory that they were used in war,the biggest being the calix (probably spelt rong),the other high art of the bronze age was the couldren,apparently coming from the steps /Mongolia but has parrallel's in the west,some interesting points to investigate,in relation to teck,mobility,custom ,craft,and economics

[@W47689]

There is such beauty and connection that we lost with one another long ago. I pray that one day we can see eachother as one big family. Through mercy and humility i hope it will be done.

[@carloshenriquezimmer7543]

In my opinion those exquisite head gear is all about the recognition of the user. They were all covered by theyr shields an even helmets, so visible head gear would make easy to identifie each individual in the field. Early Bronze Age was the time in witch the "Warrior Nobility" idea seems to have originated in the Mediterranean region, so, being recognized while doing some great deeds in battle could be vital to theyr cultural and social stuctures. Also, receiveing some "divine assistance" would never be turned down, so, they would honor the gods by briging a simbol assossiated with them to battle. Like it was for the samurai, a warrior nobility that rised in Japan much later, that used those crazy "Kabuto" helmets, some of wich had Shinto, Buddhist and, at least one that I have seen, Christian simbols. OBS.: the last one I have only seen one picture on-line, no references associated to it, so I don't know if it is true or a fake one.

[@johannkunstel]

I tend to lean on such explanation as well. Ancient cultures had strong need to display status through material objects. Just take romans for example displaying their role in political or state organisation by wearing different styles of fibulae or decorated belts each giving a kind of "rank" for everybody to see at first sight.

[@suzbone]

​@@johannkunstel The differing crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt come to mind, also.

[@frank_zapping]

I think you are right. What you said is well depicted into omeric poems.

[@LeafofLifeWorld]

The Age of Taurus spans approximately the period between 4400 and 2200 BC. It is the age defined by the Sun being in the constellation of Taurus on the spring equinox.

[@nttea]

Thanks for the great video! Finally something i can listen to without an overly dramatic cadence driving me insane.

[@nihon94b]

Thank you for this video. I must say, video is simple, easy to understand with best commentary and images also with reasonable background music. Please keep it up.

[@hibernianperspective6183]

@13:05 The same argument could be made for the German Pickelhaube Helmet or many 19th century helmets that were very ornate in their design, yet many were used in both parade and in battle, albeit often with some ornamentation removed. 💂🏻‍♂️🥁⚔

[@DanDavisHistory]

Yes indeed.

[@jonrettich4579]

Thank you so much again for an excellent overview. Some of the rock art shown tells you where images of the devil and demons came from. Horned combat helmets depicted seem small enough to be worn safely. Many medieval knights had huge complex crests for display frequently made from papier-mâché so very light and easily discarded or safely lost in jousting. There is speculation that the disk worn between the horns on some Shardana meant they were Egyptian allies. It always intrigues me how closely the Odyssey fits into that time period and invasion of Egypt. Also horns as such are frequently related to the rays of the sun the symbology being gradually lost or transformed. Thank you again

[@ssg0yli672]

I grew very close to where those helmets were found . Always been fascinated by them , so this video was right up my alley 👍 thank you.

[@GA1313E]

What if the "small horns" are boars tusks? Could make sense given how they are known to be used in helmets in bronze age europe, and have a symbolic connection to warriors as well

[@vanrensburgsgesicht4048]

Tacitus calls the divine brothers in the sacred grove of the Naharnavals "Alcis" and identifies them with the Roman Dioscuri. "Alcis" probably goes back to the (unprovable but reconstructed) North Germanic *algi- m "elk" and in Gothic it also means "sanctuary, protection" (cf. all Norse place names ending in "-alh"). The twin brothers Vidarr and Vali are brave warriors (Vidarr kills the Fenris wolf and Vali Hödur at Ragnarök, thus avenging the deaths of Balder and Odin) and represent the morning and evening redness or a new dawn. In Solarljöd 55 the brothers bring up the sun stag: "The sun stag I saw coming from the south Led by two on the bridle; On the field stood his feet, His horns lifted to the sky." Gylfaginning 29: "Vidarr is the name of one who is also called the silent Aesir. He has a thick shoe, and is the strongest after Thor. In him the gods trust in all dangers." With his thick shoe, Vidarr kicks the Fenris wolf on the lower jaw, thus killing it. This is reminiscent of a fight between a hoofed animal (thick shoe) and a wolf. Gylfaginning 30: "Ali or Vali is called one of the Aesir, Odin's son and the Rindr. He is bold in battle and a good shooter." And maybe the tips of the Horns represent a spear or an arrow.

[@alexanderren1097]

Curwen, is that you?

[@vanrensburgsgesicht4048]

@@alexanderren1097 No

[@alexanderren1097]

@@vanrensburgsgesicht4048 Yeah good point. You're post is too short

[@hailheaven4372]

The Divine twins were Mediterranean Niolithic or Sardinian noblemen, Sea People warrior Mediterraneans that conquered the Whole of the North, the East, West and South.

[@seanzibonanzi64]

Our Nordic ancestors were quite in on the scene you consider the proliferation of Baltic Amber found around the Mediterranean in the bronze age.

[@lightninghopkins4014]

Something interesting to remember about cow horns is that both male and FEMALE aurochs had horns. Aurochs (Bos primigenius) are an extinct cattle species, considered to be the wild ancestor of modern domestic cattle. The aurochs were widely distributed in North Africa, Mesopotamia, and throughout Europe to the Pontic-Caspian steppe, Caucasus and Western Siberia in the west and to the Gulf of Finland and Lake Ladoga in the north. Their fossils have been found in the Nile Region dated right up to the Roman age. Many female gods (like Hathor and Nut, the heavenly cow goddess), have been pictured with horns on their heads. Many domestic female cows still have horns, but they are removed.

[@pasquinomarforio]

Dan, you did it again!!! You are an amazing storyteller. Thank you.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[@perceivedvelocity9914]

This is very interesting. We can see a glimpse of that time period with the puzzle pieces that we have.

[@adamred5449]

no joke I was wondering about this stuff the other day so great timing. also love your books

[@DanDavisHistory]

Awesome. Thank you.

[@SuperLuddan]

Bro me too such a coincidence, i got this on recommended

[@stevenv6463]

I am so grateful to whoever decided to put their future archaeological wonders into bogs that preserved them for centuries.

[@martinan22]

If Frey and Freya are a god pair, then would it not be reasonable that Njord would have been paired with Njärd? Could Njärd and Nerthu be the same? As I understand it, Njord has a strong association with the sea and Nerthy has a strong association with earth. Maybe some strata of culture and perspective was to divide the world into sea and earth rather than heaven and earth? And maybe this perspective is where the bogland becomes sacred, as being both. Aja, I know that Frey and Freya are titles, not names, anyway, I still like the symmetry. I watched a season or two of Vikings before I lost interest. I recall it as being utterly stupid and ignorant in many things. But I remember that they had made water prominent in the pagan temple, like little canals. I thought that was a good idea, a neat speculation. Fascinating video! To me, the long horns with little bulbs at the top look very similar. Also, the Galician and Scandinavian stag-deer motive must be connected. But I think you walk a perfect balance of showing connectivity and not making unfounded assumptions. Then again, it would be interesting to see people putting hard narratives forward because those are easier to shoot down, and then other can make other hard narratives that are shot down and over time a skeleton of narrative might emerge :)

[@grimble4564]

I know it worked this way for the ancient Irish. The Otherworld associated with the afterlife was viewed as being under the ocean and was generally associated with water.

[@jacobshell8612]

I'd be very curious to hear your thoughts about the ancient Maltese temple-building cultures and the mystery of the "cart ruts" there. Whether Malta has evidence of horned-helmet warriors, I have no idea.

[@Nathanfx2006]

Only after two videos i've fallen in-love with this channel ❤

[@froggystyle642]

Not watched it yet but I know it'll be good stuff. Always is. Cheers Dan. You should do a live q and a!

[@AmandaSamuels]

This is so fascinating. It’s your best video yet. It’s like a peek through the door into a lost world; a fascinating period when the desire to acquire metals was causing all these different societies to interact with one another.

[@paul6925]

The problem with the horns-are-impractical argument is that as soon as you literally believe in magic and the gods, it's not impractical at all. Perhaps they believed the magical benefits outweighed the risks of having them?

[@mnk9073]

The impractical-argument falls through on all levels as soon as one observes humans being human. The Japanese wore Sashimono, grenadiers of all nations huge bearskin caps and everyone with a shiny helmet put a plume or a crest on it whether they fought at the walls of Troy or the fields of Waterloo. When it comes to cool vs practical, cool always wins, just look at the Bersaglieri who rolled up in Afghanistan still wearing black feather plumes on their kevlar helmets.

[@uncannyvalley2350]

In a sword battle no one is trying to grab anyone's helmet

[@paul6925]

@@uncannyvalley2350 True, although by medieval times the helmet was a target for shield slams and hitting with the pommel of the sword. Not sure about antiquity though.

[@jairoukagiri2488]

I see a problem with that logic. Firstly, beliefs - in gods, magic (hate to break it to you, but the world rulers are occultists. Don't believe me? Check their secret frats. Skull and Bones is not for you or I.) Is mostly a matter of culture and basically morale. Morale is VITAL. No spirit, no fight. Sure, you can disbelieve in magic but unless you are Crom style, you *at minimal* would acknowledge the shamanism of the era. Like.. you can call BS on the Sea God but you would not be let on any Nature fearing crew's ship, I imagine. These taboos persist to today. The initiation of crossing the equator is still a drag pangent on the ship, with women rarely allowed. My emphasis being, you'd be ridiculed if you didn't adopt or respect at least, one Cult or another. They all existed on natural principles. You can't deny the Sun, moon, wind or stars exist. The sea or seasons. Now, I had a funny thought due to the lack of field testing. How does anyone know these helmets weren't maybe, back heavy? They spent potentially millennia using and homing them. We've had modern tech for a century or less. Most haven't tried on current era war gear. What if the horns better balance the helmet, hm? Short horns are more reasonable. Wilder minded men may even know, surprise, how to use them in battle. Like goring opponents, and knocking attacks away, as animals do. You have to think like them, not like now. They also favor spears and axes, which can catch a horn or lob one off. If you get past the shield. Again, my issue to you and others is if you think believing in God is impractical; there are no atheists in fox holes. What is impractical in a cushy life has no bearing on what is essential to survive, say, a multi year siege that spills over into a military migration. Otherwise most things are impractical. Why start a family if you were to be adrift after sacking a Troy or Egypt? The question itself hinges on a mind set. It's either practical to have progeny and a homeland or it's practical to drown yourself at sea to avoid hardships and society imposed responsibilities. To a Stoic, the entire war effort is impractical. Try saying that to a Spartan, they practiced practicality with a survival of the fittest mind set. Personally I find it a bit offensive people insist being materialistic is the same as being practical. Being spiritual is practical in all but the most carefree of times, and people with little to no ethical, moral bearing tend to bring the most inhumane times to humanity. Like, seriously, mainstream BS or not, learn from history especially recent history. That includes Ms Mermaid and Starbucks. America uses Roman symbology that should have died out back in the days of the Normans. I'm 'talking' to you through a black mirror. Literally. The thing is magic exists in the realm of energetic happenings free of tools. Technology is based on tools, and how to use them or other skills. Not for nothing but I once pointed at an annoying fly, with a stern intention, and it dropped dead. In the middle of a DnD game. Middle of the table. And Quantum Sciences actually explain how and why that is possible. Mind over matter, my dude. Placebos cure some people too. Should look into resonance and how to levitate matter by frequency, such as the stone gardens. The person who cries sorcery is more ignorant than the one who can break glass with their voice, because only one of them understands the reality of the causality.

[@stan1050]

@@jairoukagiri2488 CERN. hi-tech alchemy.

[@muffin6369]

Love the Bronze Age Dan. I just found your channel........ because I had watched and read Search for the Trojan War by the fabulous Professor Michael Wood. I saw the horned helmut from Cyprus or rather Alayisha. (?) There are so many wonderful history channels amidst all the crap. I love History with Cy, History Time, Pete Kelly and now you! Thanks for a great presentation and content.

[@Nortrix87]

"As for the Cimbri, their foot-soldiers advanced slowly from their defences, with a depth equal to their front, for each side of their formation had an extent of thirty furlongs; 7 and their horsemen, fifteen thousand strong, rode out in splendid style, with HELMETS made to resemble the maws of frightful WILD BEASTS or the HEADS of STRANGE ANIMALS, which, with their TOWERING CRESTS OF FEATHERS, made their wearers appear taller than they really were; they were also equipped with breastplates of iron, and carried gleaming white shields. For hurling, each man had two lances; and at close quarters they used large, heavy swords."

[@thorvoge8469]

The DNA of Sardinia confirms the Scandinavian connection. These were no doubt the notorious sea people's . Excellent video

[@julesgosnell9791]

The Bronze Age Scandinavian Twin King hypothesis calls to mind the twin kings of Sparta. The Nuragic and Sardinian stone towers are reminiscent of Scottish Brochs.

[@FreeManFreeThought]

The second that I saw that I thought immediately of the brochs as well. The time period makes a connection not beyond the realms of possibility.

[@talyn3932]

If the Egyptians made the Sherden as if nothing, emptying their lands and enslaving their persons... then its possible that some Sherden, if they were from Sardinia, escaped into the Atlantic Bronze Age Complex which they no doubt traded with.

[@doncarlodivargas5497]

Did not the first Spartans come in to the area from somewhere else? Perhaps from somewhere further north?

[@chrispotteiger814]

By far my favorite time in history. I'm lucky to have been able to experience some of these places as a ten year old kid and the experience was not lost on me to this day. I'm 55 now.

[@trolley4388]

Hi from Sardinia. I also have horns, but I’m not a warrior. It’s my wife’s fault.

[@danielpledezma8558]

😂😂😂😂😂, you are not alone

[@greenviolist34]

You are very easy to listen to. Love the videos!

[@anon3336]

Perhaps the dual kingship is reflected in the story of the Danish kings Roar (Hrodgar) and Helge who divided the kingdom between them, so that Roar became the landbased "peaceful" king whereas Helge became the seafaring warrior king.

[@DeeplyStill]

Your production, and the research it must have involved, amazes me. Fascinating and well done. Love it

[@hubertk7363]

My national pride rose up to 1000% when I saw the map with polish text (12:37)

[@SchoolforHackers]

Poles have proven their heroism. Much respect.

[@hubertk7363]

@@SchoolforHackers Thankfully my ancestors (from my knowledge) did not have to prove their heroism in a way the others had to, thanks to luck. We don't have many tragic/heroic (in polish culture one often implies the other) stories in our family.

[@SchoolforHackers]

@@hubertk7363 May it always be so! 🤞

[@curesoon]

The Egyptians claim they defeated the Sea Peoples, but then they award them land. That sounds more like concessions rather than domination.

[@hailheaven4372]

At 19:10 NAH, Nordic people were subjugated by the Sea People at this time, there were no "Dynastic marriages" between Mediterranean and Nordic elements because Mediterraneans looked down on Northeners as extremely primitive and unattractive. The Sea People's had control of all the commerce, and from the North the only thing that the South wanted was Amber, that is it. The North did not have anything attractive to offer, that is why Alexander went South and East, and not North. There was nothing else to attract a Mediterranean beyond the Alps. Julius Caesar went North but only to make Walls, that worked, that is why today there is a France and a Germany.

[@nb9419]

The same stands for Asturies. In fact, last year two horned helmets were found in a cave in Ribadesella. The Atlantic was connected since very early in time. I still remember a 'cigua' I could see in the Archaeological Museum in Edinburgh. It was catalogued as 'pendant'. It is clearly what in Asturies is called 'cigua', a fist with a special position of the fingers. Most Asturians have Baltic DNA.

[@NormBoyle]

I have have seen so many ignormouses spouting about how the horned viking helmets are a myth and that vikings never wore horned helmets. Well just because you find three viking helmets without horns, that proves nothing. I would not be at all surprised if some vikings did use horned helmets.

[@Bolognabeef]

22:49 that's the first time that I heard meme being used unironically

[@talyn3932]

Interesting stuff. I wonder if the balls on the tips are meant to represent the sun and moon? The disc is so apparent in most horned motifs, seems weird to be lacking. I think in later periods where melee combat is more close up and personal, horns lose practicality beyond being an identifier for commanders. When most of your combat is spear and shield with swords being sidearms, having some flair on your helmet is less a concern as something to hinder you. That being said, I've read a lot recently of peat finds that were deliberately placed as sacrifices. Some very valuable things often too... I would guess they were exaggerated and ceremonial. Probably specifically designed for sacrifice.

[@davidallard1980]

Thanks for making this.

[@ancientsitesgirl]

Great video! I'm particularly interested in the Hittites, in two weeks I'll be filming Hattusa 🎥 Thanks and greetings

[@DanDavisHistory]

Awesome! Good luck, hope it goes well.

[@ancientsitesgirl]

@@DanDavisHistory Thanks :)

[@DogWalkerBill]

What if the common thread across cultures was Aurochs, which were great powerful bulls! The wearer saying, "See, I am a great powerful bull too!"

[@elenavaccaro339]

Really like your videos. Could cutting off horn tips be a safety measure dealing with the cattle? The round add ons look like a additional blunting measure. Isn't this in an Era where cattle were a major measure of wealth? And don't traditions tend to survive the transition of cultures? Is there evidence of big and water deposits before the rise of the Celtic peoples? Need to increase my library budget...

[@mondaysinsanity8193]

Well i imagine theyre cattle would be much much closer to aurochs so much more dangerous to handle

[@csjrogerson2377]

There hasn't been a war run this badly since Olaf the Hairy, King of all the Vikings, ordered 80,00 helmets with the horns on the inside. Black Adder Goes Forth, Episode 16.

[@Paul-wy6sm]

Another awesome video! I really enjoy these, and I can’t wait for another book !

[@Kobk.e]

The way these armour pieces and helmets are put together… it reminds me of the sea people descriptions from ancient Egypt

[@alastairbrewster4274]

Another very interesting video Dan. I hope this channel becomes an even greater success than it already is. You really get me daydreaming , respite from the world ...

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thanks Alastair. That's what I've always aimed to do with my fiction - glad I can achieve similar with video too. Cheers.

[@CharlesMoffatAuthor]

The deer drawings look like the constellations of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, which are important for navigation by the stars. It is safe to assume that a seafaring culture would have used the stars to navigate and made symbols of the constellations.

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

You might be interested in the work of Seth Fleishman, who runs the 'World History By A Jew' channel, he looks at things from a predominately Jewish perspective, and has many interesting insights to aspects resulting from forensic linguistic similarities between cultures.

[@cybair9341]

HORNS: an early form of intimidation. Great video; I love the clues on the bronze age collapse !

[@seanwhelan879]

Fantastic Dan really enjoy your content , could listen for hour's thanks for your work. History could not be made more enjoyable.

[@ericcloud1023]

Works over and I can finally watch this! Thanks Dan, I really appreciate all your work

[@ArturdeSousaRocha]

Regarding twin chiefs, I wonder if Spartan two kings might have been a relic of that or if they were an unrelated development.

[@DacusMalus1600]

Look up the origin of the Mycenaen culture. They came down from north of the Danube. The motivs of a bull with a flower on his forehead, a rider/athlete trying to kill a bull, two pagasi on the helmet of cotofenesti (Dacia, ~500 b.c.), and the tree of life are all found there. These motivs steam most likely from a culture north of, or within the Caucasus mountains and have spread further south. These are the clearest depictions, but the base motivs are also found in the Cucuteni-Trypilli (4800-3000 b.c.) and Vinca (5000-3000 b.c.) cultures, including a horned figurine, in this case, a female and desings that very well could be proto types of the famos labyrinth of the Minoan.

[@LoLFilmStudios]

What is a horn? Animals have horns, where? On their heads. Deities are often depicted as animals or have animal features. Horns are cool, I want horns on my head. Horned helmet. HH are guaranteed to have been invented independently all over and throughout time.

[@TheAussieRod]

@4:59 I would love to see a docu about that image alone, namely the boats (two types?) the men with tails (?) and what made it worth to design them (their meaning or goal)

[@marcusfridh8489]

the baltic sea including southern scandinavia had contact with the mediterrianian civilizations, the proofs of that is the amber that is found in egypt, mycene, crete, and so on, was of baltic origine. and the burialcustoms and the rockcarvings of brozeage southern scandinavia and the southern mediterranian is as similuar to each others that it is clearly intercultural exchange.

[@rickrandom6734]

Bronze is mix of copper and tin. Sources for these two metals are so far away from each other, bronze age could not exist without trade routes for them. Bronze age world was very connected.

[@lmadlsc]

Beautiful images and scultures. Amazing similarity of all bronze age northern south european art

[@_i_am_unceded]

TAKING ANOTHER Dan Davis Deep Dive

[@vespelian5769]

These are outstanding. There's doctorate's worth research here. Very useful for what I'm doing.

[@Kav2990]

I'm from eastern zealand (Nordsjælland) and I didn't know abou these helmets, fascinaing.

[@dashinvaine]

The Hittite image with the two bull men (15:35) reminds me of a panel on the Sutton Hoo helmet, showing two horned figures similarly posed.

[@Drew_McTygue]

This was a fascinating video. Your content is amazing, thanks for making it!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you very much, I appreciate it.

[@lausdeo4944]

This is youtube history videos at their apex. Your work is amazing.

[@taybak8446]

I really enjoyed this fact packed well produced video. I'd love to see a video about the Nordic Bronze Age grave mounds from Thy and older megalithic passage graves and dolmens from the island of Mon.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you. Okay I will see what I can do.

[@taybak8446]

@@DanDavisHistory Thank you Dan!

[@grahamturner1290]

Superb documentary, thank you!

[@bobbbababobo]

Another outstanding presentation. Thank you sir. Have you read any of Joseph Campbells work re: heroes journey or mythos themes? 2nd question; Are you familiar with astrotheology? The twins representing Gemini, and the bull horns representing Taurus, might this indicate the transitional period of precession between the 2 astral ages?

[@theoutsider2638]

Hi, Mithra is the bull's killer and he is refered as the sun, so a single character. I completely understand your question but not sure that there is some link between these two. Just my opinion.

[@jordanhallmark1784]

@@theoutsider2638 Hi, Divine Twins and the Bull are shared motifs from beyond the cult of Mithras, pre-existing the roman religion by quite a long time. Bobba didn't even mention Mithras to begin with.

[@theoutsider2638]

@@jordanhallmark1784 Hi sir, I quote : "might this indicate the transitional period of precessions between the 2 astral ages?". I was answering to this, and I said no but that doesn't necessarly mean that I'm correct. Romans have depicted those myths and stories, with paints and sculptures, and Mithra is destined to be the bull's killer (And not without a bit of pain), the transitional man. Single man. The transition to Aries, the ram, the time of men and mortal gods. In the sky Orion's constellation is standing toward the Bull. Again he's single. So does Geminii is an important constellation ? Yes maybe but I doubt in this case. Good evening.

[@DaneStolthed]

Truly fascinating, thanks for making this video!

[@PhilosophersLegacy83]

The horns could be symbolic of the age they lived in. The bull represents Taurus and the ancients knew more about astrology and constellations then we think.

[@remote24]

Good point

[@jrileycain6220]

Fascinating. Thank you.

[@annalisette5897]

For what it's worth, and maybe nothing, the female deer and moon drawings remind me of a recent conversation with another person who knows wildlife. We were discussing mating season for local deer. Theoretically I know the correct calendar time but the deer do not perform on schedule. A friend said he thinks the onset of mating is dependent upon a moon cycle in October. That makes a lot of sense. What might this mean for Bronze Age people? Deer congregate in herds at mating time and they are likely to have their minds on other things than being cautious. What the heck with the stick figures that look like the have a sword stuck through the pelvic area? In some ways it looks phallic and in others it just looks fatal.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Some of them are phalluses yes.

[@Esstan1]

I studied Archaeology at University here in Sweden, and we were taught that the helmets were absolutely NOT worn in battle. This has been a recurring problem that people try to claim these were worn in battle too, they were strictly used for rituals at least in the Nordics.

[@DanDavisHistory]

It's not a "problem", the idea that they could have been worn in battle is an argument put forward by archeologists like Helle Vandkilde and archeologist and bronze age armour expert Marianne Mödlinger.

[@seanpoore2428]

Samurai had CRAZY helmet decorations with everything from sunbursts to crescents crazy lion mane 80's hair styles to whole-ass dragons to, yes, horns. Sometimes people just gotta show off lol

[@raeray2235]

Your content and delivery are superbe. Many thanks for your sharing.

[@GreatGreebo]

Thank you for this well done, educational video for breakfast!

[@YNomadicDusk]

Thank-you for doing these! Truly!

[@Grungeuncle]

Bronze Age art from Galicia is so similiar with the Hittite God Runtiya and, symbol is literally the same as Hittite Sun and Deer disk. At this point it cannot be a simple concidence, there must be a semiotic meaning behind it.

[@talyn3932]

Sun god and sun disc worship is an Indo European thing. If you look back far enough, they all have that in common. However, while the Hittites are Indo European, the Galicians are not.

[@Grungeuncle]

@@talyn3932 What do you mean Galicians are not Indo-European? They are and all the other Iberians (excluding Vascones and Basques) are Indo - European people. Not only that they later mixed with the Celts & Celt-Iberians and Romans... Not to mention genetics, culture and language. So how come they are not Indo - European?

[@pattywolford]

So much great information! A dissertation! I will watch and rewatch. Thank you.