Odin figurine.
Odin has been identified by a number of different artifacts from the 6th to 7th centuries. One of the key elements of this identification is the four cast bronze stamps found at Torslund in 1870. According to a recent scan of the stamps, a dancing naked warrior carrying a helmet with horns ending in two birds of prey is actually one of them. It has been proven that originally the dancer on the die had two eyes. One, however, was removed with a sharp tool during fabrication.
An identical motif can be found on the helmet of Sutton Hu. However, there the dancing warriors are dressed unlike the men on the helmet plates from Walsgarde 7 and 8, found in Sweden.
A third depiction of the motif can be found on the buckle of Finglesham (6th century) from an early Anglo-Saxon burial ground. But here the dancer is nude.
The fourth can be seen on the Eckhammer pendant from Kungsengen in Uppland (now in the Swedish National Museum of History), and a fifth, found in Staraya Ladoga in Russia ( 8th century), versions slightly different from Birka and Uppokra.
The latter is almost identical to the recently found amulet from Gotland. It measures ca. 4 cm. and is made of an alloy of silver and bronze. It is tentatively dated to the period between the 6th and 7th era. According to archaeologist Dan Karlsson from Gotland, it has holes drilled in the sides, indicating its use as an amulet.
