ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Metal detector enthusiasts hunt for art in Denmark

exhibition · 2026-04-27

The National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen is hosting an exhibition called 'The hunt for Denmark's past,' which highlights the vital role of metal detectorists in archaeology, running until February 2024. Curator Line Bjerg points out that Danes are actively contributing to their museums. According to a law from 1241, any unclaimed gold and silver is owned by the Crown, and artifacts older than 1536 must be handed over to local museums. Significant discoveries include the Golden Horns of Gallehus (400 AD) and a Bronze Age sun chariot (1400 BC). With over 5,000 detectorists in Denmark, 18,000 items were reported in 2022. Hjalte Wadskjær Mølgaard, 23, examines maps and obtains landowner consent. The exhibition showcases Mølgaard's medieval gold ring and the Vindelev hoard, which consists of 22 gold pieces from the 6th century.

Key facts

  • Exhibition 'The hunt for the Denmarks past' at National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen, until February 2024.
  • Curator Line Bjerg leads the team analyzing finds.
  • Law from 1241: ownerless gold and silver belong to the Crown.
  • Objects predating 1536 must be handed to local museums.
  • Golden Horns of Gallehus (400 AD) found in 1639 by Kirsten Svendsdatter.
  • Bronze Age sun chariot (1400 BC) found in 1739 by Frederik Willumsen.
  • Metal detectors introduced in the 1980s.
  • Over 5,000 detectorists in Denmark (population ~6 million).
  • 18,000 objects submitted in 2022; 30,000 in 2021.
  • Detectorist Hjalte Wadskjær Mølgaard found a medieval gold ring with Christ's face and a stamp of Nils Krabbe (1408).
  • Vindelev hoard: 22 gold objects from 6th century, found by Ole Ginnerup Schytz and Jørgen Antonsen.
  • Rewards average 50 euros per object; total paid last year over 6 million Danish kroner (€800,000).

Entities

Artists

  • Line Bjerg
  • Hjalte Wadskjær Mølgaard
  • Kirsten Svendsdatter
  • Frederik Willumsen
  • Ole Ginnerup Schytz
  • Jørgen Antonsen
  • Nils Krabbe

Institutions

  • National Museum of Denmark
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Copenhagen
  • Denmark
  • Gallehus
  • Vindelev
  • Jelling
  • Viborg

Sources