Thor’s Hammer

Viking Chocolate: Thor's Hammer. Made in dark chocolate. Part of the Viking Hoard chocolate box by Brodgar Archaeological Chocolate.

Dark chocolate Thor’s Hammer

This dark chocolate Thor’s Hammer is part of the Viking Hoard box, which you can find in many of the sets in our web shop. I made it in dark chocolate because Thor is the god of thunder, riding his chariot through the dark clouds and striking lightning with his hammer.

Thor is a protector against chaos. He is often seen travelling to the outermost edges of the world, where he challenges giants and other chaotic forces. It is said that his hammer has crushed many a giant’s skull.

Thor was a god that you could trust if you were a viking farmer, and you relied on rain and predictable weather for your crops to grow.

Broch of Gurness, Evie, Orkney.
Broch of Gurness, Evie, Orkney.
The viking hoard found at the Bay of Skaill, Orkney. Now in the National Museum, Edinburgh.
The viking hoard found at the Bay of Skaill, Orkney. Now in the National Museum, Edinburgh.

The original find

The chocolate Thor’s Hammer was based on an original archaeological find made in 1875 at Erikstorp in Sweden. We made the chocolate mould in collaboration with the company Nordens Historiska Fynd, which specialises in archaeological replica jewellery. Here is their silver version.

What were Thor’s Hammers for?

As jewellery, Thor’s Hammers are a symbol of the Norse god Thor, in the same way as a cross is a symbol of Jesus Christ. They became more widespread with increasing attempts to introduce Christianity to Scandinavia, as a way to show allegiance to the old gods. Some business-heads traded with both sides, because archaeologists have found a mould for casting metal crosses and Thor’s hammers all in one block!

An Orkney Thor’s Hammer

An Orkney Thor’s Hammer was found in a viking woman’s grave at the Broch of Gurness in Evie on the Orkney Mainland. The broch is an Iron Age tower with a surrounding village (see photo of the excavated site as it now looks), but the vikings had re-used the site for a burial.

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