The Nordic Lurs
There are two types of lur (old nordic = luðr), one of
metal (cast in bronze) and
one made of wood.
The oldest one, the bronze lurs,
dates from the Nordic Bronze Age (1500 - 500 B.C). These bronze lurs
were found in the south of Scandinavia and north of Germany. There are
at present 60 finds.
The wooden lurs,
are not related to the bronze lurs. There are two types, the Viking war
instrument, like the one found in
the Oseberg ship (dates back to 850 A.C.) The other type, the shepherds
lur was in use until recently
among sheperds and dairy
maids in Norway and Sweden.