Gold-foil figures are tiny images of people, stamped on thin gold foil. The originals are displayed here, but are also shown on the screen, for better visibility. The gold-foil figures date from the Iron Age: they are about 1 500 years old, and this is the first Scandinavian occurrence of people depicted with clothes and hairstyles. Most of the gold-foil figures are men and women embracing, but images of single individuals can be found as well.

The gold-foil figures were found at a chieftain’s homestead in Slöinge outside Falkenberg. They were likely used as sacrifices during religious ceremonies in the great hall of the chieftain. There is a floor-level display case that holds remains of the massive oak posts that once supported the roof of the chieftain’s hall. The case next to the gold-foil figures contains beautiful jewellery which the Halland chieftains may have worn. To the left is a reconstruction of the clothes of the gold-foil figures.

Gold-foil figures have been found in Scandinavia only – nowhere else, the largest finds are from Bornholm, Denmark.

©Hallands kulturhistoriska museum