Tissø: Tyr's Lake and the Cult of God Tyr
Tissø is one of the largest freshwater lake in Denmark. Towns and villages surround this lake. One thing that we are yet to know is that this lake once was the place where the Vikings dedicated to Tyr god of Honor and Justice
THE RESIDENCE TO THE WEST BANK
Standing in the middle of the residence to the west bank of Tissø was the impressive hall building. The materials to build the building were heavy timbers. The size of this Viking hall reached that of the modern one.
The excavation of the House of worship in Tissø Lake of Tyr Viking god
In the site, there were workshops and markets where the craftsmen and traders joined to do business. More than 12,000 objects have been excavated there. Many of them were the gold and silver items.
Many of the weapons and valuable items also revealed themselves from the bed of the Tissø river. This strengthened the claim that the Vikings once sacrificed items to the river for their gods and their deceased kinsmen.
Weapons found in the bed of the lake of Tyr.
With the luxurious artifacts, archaeologists assumed that Tissø was the home of many noble and wealthy Vikings. One possible explanation was that the people in Tissø came from the royal family
A HOLY PLACE FOR RITUALS
The name Tissø refers to the divinity. It is a word with two compounds. It is Tis-sø where sø means "lake" and Tis is the name of God Tyr in Norse mythology. The river was named after God Tyr.
Many places for worship presenting the cult of Tyr appeared in this spot.
Tyr was the god of honor and justice in Norse mythology. He was the only one who volunteered to put his hand in the mouth of Fenrir the Giant Wolf. He also symbolised the trust and fairness in the battle.
The Vikings worshipped in many different places
Some miles away from the residence, the archaeologists found out other sacrificial sites on the hill. Animal bones were found. Many luxurious items as the offerings were also buried in this site.
These days, the scholars attempt to reconstruct the cult house in Tissø with animation.
The house of worship (hall) in Tissø Lake of Tyr Viking god. The modern reconstruction.
