Skarpsallingkarret

Some of the most beautiful objects from Denmark’s prehistory were made of pottery. Especially during the Stone Age, people produced stunning ceramics with elegant shapes and intricate patterns.

Pottery is an important tool for archaeologists when dating finds. Stone Age ceramics have been carefully mapped based on their form and decoration.

The clay vessels can be divided into different styles, some lasting longer than others. Through these styles, we can trace the development of pottery and determine the age of the various vessels.

One of the best-known examples of Stone Age pottery is the clay vessel discovered in 1891, when stones were cleared from a megalithic tomb at Ordrup Heath near Skarpsalling in Himmerland. This richly decorated vessel was made around 3200 BC.

The findspot of the Skarpsalling Vessel

In the forested area of the Himmerland Heaths, you can find the stone that marks the discovery site of the Skarpsalling Vessel. It stands on a small hilltop, with the inscription: “Here the Skarpsalling Vessel was found. The most beautiful Stone Age vessel of the North.”

Check the hiking map of the Himmerland Heaths and see if you can locate the Skarpsalling Vessel – right here!