A very large axe. (Photo: Silkeborg Museum)

Around the year 950 A.D., in a place near the center of what is now Denmark, a pair of important people were buried in an impressive tomb. There was a man and a woman, and they were buried with objects that showed their status: the woman was buried in filagreed clothing, in a wagon and with two keys, both signs of high rank.

The man was buried with what LiveScience calls “one of the largest Viking axes ever found.”

After more than 1,000 years, only the head of the axe remains, but it would have had a long handle, according to the archaeologist who discovered it. It would have been a fearful weapon, and since it’s not adorned in any way, it looks to be a weapon meant for use, rather than show.

In the tomb, archaeologists found another man, too, likely buried after the original two inhabitants of the grave. That man was buried with an axe as well, but, they told LiveScience, that second axe is not quite as big.

Every day, we highlight one newly found object, curiosity or wonder. Discover something amazing? Tell us about it! Send your finds to sarah.laskow@atlasobscura.com.