[![Skyrim Kolbjorn Barrows rune totems puzzle to-get-a-helmet TESV 2014-08-29 12-47-08-64.png][1]](http://puu.sh/bd5SC/a5c0c75919.png)  
Links to higher resolution, original upload.

In [Kolbjorn Barrow](http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Dragonborn:Kolbjorn_Barrow), there is a portcullis through which can be seen a helmet atop a plinth. In front of this gate are two animal [rune totems](http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Puzzle_Totems#Spinning_Symbol.2FRune_Totems) and a pullable chain. I haven't played the game in a while and didn't see any hints nearby, so I resorted to searching for an answer on the World Wide Web. Unfortunately, I found the correct code and not how it was supposed to be solved. Where are the hints?

Please answer with spoiler blocks ascending from vague and general to specific.  
Sorry for the title length.


  [1]: https://i.sstatic.net/GCPe4.jpg