Gift, Donation or Bribe? Ask the “Gift.”

Is it a gift or is it a bribe? This woman and countless others found in the bogs of Denmark and beyond, dating from 8000 BCE to 200 BCE, were willing victims, who were sacrificed to appease the ancient pagan gods and goddesses and to ensure fertility and prosperity for the year ahead.

Fast Forward 10,000 years or so and in politics and business the giving of “gifts” is generally downplayed by both the giver and the recipient as so insignificant as to be impossible to influence any decisions or actions of the recipient.

In the National Museum of Denmark we have the unique opportunity to view the (possibly last) words of the “gift.”

I am a gift

I am given as a thank you for all good received.

I am a gift.

I am given with the expectation of payback.

I am a gift.

I am given with the assurance that my givers will be well paid. Later.