The Dejbjerg wagon, is a composite of two ceremonial wagons, and was ritually
placed in the bog, near Ringkøbing in western Jutland, Denmark. around 100 BCE.
Two wagons were dismantled and laid in a peat bog, fenced in with branches and wattles.
The iron in the carriage bodies was forged from
continental mountain ore, and the carriages are believed to be made in central Europe by Celtic artisans.
In the first century BC Tacitus, the Roman writer, describes the use by the Germani of sacred carriages. He wrote:
"that they universally join in the worship of Nerthus; that is to say, Mother Earth. They believe she interposes in the affairs of man, and drives around to the various peoples. On an island in the Ocean stands a sacred grove, and in it stands a chariot dedicated to the goddess, covered over with a curtain. Only one priest may touch it. He senses when the goddess is present, and with profound veneration attends the motion of the chariot, which is always drawn by yoked cows. Then it is that days of rejoicing always ensue, and in all places whatsoever which she descends to honour with a visit and her company, feasts and recreation abound."
The wagon body is ornamented with male faces with curly hair and moustache.
