A Norwegian metal detectorist has revealed his shock after an ancient figurine of Jesus Christ "revealed himself" in Norway's fjords.
Kim Erik Dybvik had been poring over a field near the coastal town of Andalsnes, roughly 260 miles northwest of Oslo.
He made the discovery on November 1 - All Saints' Day, the Christian celebration honouring martyrs and saints.
The artefact depicts Christ on the cross and dates to approximately 1100 AD, making it nearly a millennium old.
Photographs of the find reveal a weathered figure that still retains traces of gilding and intricate detail on its torso.
Mr Dybvik's fascination with treasure hunting began during childhood on a remote Norwegian islet where his father served as a lighthouse keeper.
"The fact that the island had volcanic origins sparked my curiosity about what rare rocks might lie underground - and whether it could be possible to find gold there," he recalled.
Though he once aspired to become an archaeologist, he instead built a career in healthcare, he told Fox News.
He now pursues his childhood passion during his spare time, scouring Norway for historical objects.
For this particular expedition, he teamed up with Warren Schmidt, an American expatriate and fellow enthusiast, to search fields across the country.
The pair battled fierce winds throughout the day, at times struggling to remain upright.
"But we persevered... We found 78 buttons, some coins, buckles, a medieval weight and a lot of the usual finds," Mr Dybvik said.
The crucial moment arrived after dark, just as they prepared to leave.
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Kim Erik Dybvik made his find in a field near the coastal town of Andalsnes
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"Warren was almost at the car, and I was a bit behind, when I suddenly got a strong signal from my detector," Dybvik explained.
"A strong signal usually indicates a large object and is often not a good sign - it can easily be trash."
"I bent down, and right beneath the surface, he revealed himself to me - I looked Jesus straight in the eyes."
Dybvik said he was "completely stunned" by the discovery, with "100 thoughts" racing through his mind.
"I quickly dismissed the idea that it could be modern - I recognized the medieval style and remains of gilding," he added.
The detectorist described the scene as "magical and poetic," noting a hill where an old church once stood was visible a few hundred metres away.
He promptly reported the find to authorities, as Norwegian law requires all objects predating 1537 to be declared.
Field archaeologist Aaron Johnston then examined the artefact, which is now being conserved under county archaeologist Kristoffer Dahle's supervision.
Mr Dybvik believes nothing like it has ever been discovered in Norway through metal detecting before.
He hopes the figurine will eventually go on public display.