Excavations at Helgö I: Report for 1954-1956 [1]

Table of contents :
List of plates 9
List of text illustrations 14
Preface by Bengt Thordeman 19
Introduction by Wilhelm Holmqvist 22
Chapter 1. Helgö and its prehistoric remains 45
Chapter 2. The archaeological investigation 55
Chapter 3. Building foundation I 61
Chapter 4. Special descriptions 74
Chapter 5. Building fundation II 89
Chapter 6. Special descriptions 98
Chapter 7. Catalogue 108
Plates 1-62
Plans and profiles 63-77

Citation preview

EXCAVATIONS AT HELGÖ Report for i ç 54-1956

PL A

EXCAVATIONS AT HELGÖ I

R eport fo r 1 9 5 4 - 1 9 5 6 E D IT O R

WILHELM HOLMQVIST IN C O L L A B O R A T I O N W I T H B IR G IT A R R H E N IU S . PER L U N D S T R Ö M

K U N G L . V IT T E R H E T S

H IS T O R IE

OCH A N T IK V IT E T S

STO CKH O LM

A K A D E M IE N

PU BL ISH ED WITH GRANTS FROM THE HUMANISTIC RESEARCH COUNCIL OF SWEDEN

A L M Q V IS T

& W IK S E L L

STOCKHOLM GÖTEBORG

UPPSALA

PRINTED IN SWEDEN BY

Almqvist & Wiksells BOKTRYCKERI AKTIEBOLAG UPPSALA

1961

HIS M A JE S T Y K I N G G U ST A F VI A D O L F WITH RESPECTFUL HOMAGE

CONTENTS

9

Eastern part p. 89. — The profile at 38 M p.

......................................... 14

90. — Western part p. 91. — Layer of brittle-

List o f p l a t e s .................................................................... List o f text illustrations

Preface b y Bengt T h o r d e m a n ......................................... 19 Introduction by W ilhelm H o l m q v i s t ........................... 22

burnt stones p. 92. — Pit no. 207 p. 92. — The profile at 47 M p. 92. — The profile at Bp. 93. — The profile at K p. 93. — Summary

Helgö and its prehistoric remains by

of the stratigraphy of foundation II p. 94. —

B irgit Arrhenius, Valdem ar Ginters, W ilhelm

General summary concerning foundation II p.

H olm qvist and Per L u n d s t r ö m ............................... 45

94-

C hapter

i.

Inventory record p. 47. — Phosphate analysis P- 54 C hapter 2.

C hapter 6. Special descriptions by Birgit Arrhenius,

Valdemar Ginters, Wilhelm Holmqvist and Per The archaeological investigation by

B irgit Arrhenius, Valdem ar Ginters, W ilhelm H olm q vist and Per L u n d s t r ö m ............................... 55 Investigation methods p. 59. C hapter 3. Building foundation I b y B irgit A rr­

henius, Valdem ar Ginters, W ilhelm H olm qvist and Per L u n d s tr ö m ...................................................... 61 The southern stone-rows p. 61. — The ditch p. 62. — Position of the ditch in relation to secondary remains p. 63. — The northern stone-row p. 63. — The “road” p. 64 — Ter­ race slope p. 64. — Carbon layer no. 111 p. 65. — The profile at 3 M p. 65. — The profile at 8 M p. 66. — The profile at 16 M p. 67. — The profile at 25 M p. 68. — The profile at K p. 69. — Summary of the stratigraphy of foundation I p. 69. — Summary concerning foundation I p. 70. C hapter 4. Special descriptions by Birgit Arrhenius,

Valdem ar Ginters, W ilhelm H olm qvist and Per L u n d s t r ö m ................................................................74

L u n d s tr ö m ........................................................ 98 C hapter 7. C a t a lo g u e ........................................... 108

Gold by Wilhelm H o lm q v is t............................ 108 Silver by Wilhelm H olm qvist............................ h i Bronze by Wilhelm H o lm q v is t ........................ 112 Buddha p. 112. — Crozier p. 112. — Jewellery p. 114. — Padlocks and keys p. 115. — Mounts and sheets 116. — Rods p. 117. — Vessels p. 117. — Varia p. 122. L e a d ..................................................................122 Summary concerning objects of gold, silver and bronze p. 123. Iron by Birgit Arrhenius....................................124 Weapons p. 124. — Knives p. 126. — Pad­ locks, locks, keys etc. p. 128. — Rods p. 131. — Blanks p. 137. — Rivets and nails p. 140. — Amulets (Thor’s hammer etc.) p. 147. — Various objects p. 148. — Scrap-iron p. 150. — Fragments of vessels p. 154. — Mounts p. 154. — Rings p. 155. — Spikes p. 157. — Fibulas etc. p. 158. Summary concerning iron p. 159. Beads by Per Lundström....................................160

C hapter 5. Building fundation I I by B irgit A rr­

Summary concerning beads p. 163

henius, Valdem ar Ginters, W ilhelm H olm qvist

Amber

and Per L u n d s tr ö m ..................................................89

E n a m e l .............................................................. 164

.............................................................. 163

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

8

Glass by Birgit Arrhenius and Wilhelm Holmqvist 164 Filigree glass p. 164. — Claw-beaker p. 166. — Cone-beaker p. 166. — Varia p. 168. Summary concerning glass p. 181. Pottery by Birgit Arrhenius.............................. 182

Smeltings and slags by Per Lundström

. . . .2 2 9

Iron smeltings p. 229. — Iron slag p. 230. — Porous, vitrified slag p. 231. Stone by Per L u n d s tr ö m ........................................... 232 Whetstones p. 232. — Strike-a-light stones p.

Turned ware, yellowish red p. 182. — Turned

237. — Flint flakes p. 237. — Summary con­

ware, yellowish brown p. 183. — Turned ware,

cerning flint p. 239. — Querns p. 239. —

greyish white p. 184. — Turned ware (?),

Miscellaneous objects p. 239.

greyish black p. 184. — Turned ware, black

Horn and b o n e .................................................. 239

p. 184. — Undecorated ware p. 185. — De­

Coins determinated by Ulla S. Linder-Welin . . 240

corated ware p. 219. — Glazed (?) ware p. 221. — Pottery of diverging character p. 221. Summary concerning pottery p. 221. Clay by Per L u n d strö m ..................................222 Moulds p. 222. — Crucibles p. 222. — Clay-

Plates 1 - 6 2 Plans and profiles 6 3 -7 7 Explanation of signs.

Opposite PI. 63

Colour plates

discs p. 226. — Oven-linings p. 228. — Sum­

A Bronze sculpture, Buddha

mary concerning clay p. 229.

B -C Crozier head

Frontispiece Opposite p. 112

L I S T OF P L A T E S

PI.

i: i Foundation

I.

3 Postholes Nos. 66,69 and

Eastern

2 Foundation

2: i Foundation

I. Western Rows

of

3 Postholes Nos. 27, 26 and

9: i Posthole No. 169, p. 103. (?)

No.

204,

stones with a covering pav­ ing,

4 Posthole Nos. 47 and 48,

partially excavated,

p. 79. I.

Rows of

stones with a covering pav­ ing,

partially

excavated,

2-3 Foundation ditch,

I.

The

from W and E,

Nos. 28, 32 and 33, p. 77. 3 Posthole No. 24, p. 76. PI. 17: i Pit No. 184 partially ex­ cavated, p. 99.

2 Posthole No. 49 partially

2

excavated, p. 79.

PL 4: i Foundation with

I.

Eastern

the

curving

ditch, p. 62. 2 Foundation

I.

Eastern

part with the curving ditch, postholes

and

profile,

p. 62. PL 5: i Foundation I. The stone paving, p. 64.

excavated, p. 79.

p. 89. 6: i Foundation II, profile at 47 m, p. 92. 2 Foundation

II,

profile

from the southern ditch, p. 90.

3 Posthole (?) No. 204, par­ 19: i =nr.

476, p. 108.

2=nr.

737, p. 109.

3 Postholes Nos. 75 and 76,

3 =nr. 1546, p.

p. 82.

4 =nr.

h i

.

686, p. 109.

PI. 12: i Pits Nos. 73 and 74, p. 82.

5=nr.

591, p. 108.

2 Pit No. 73 and posthole

6= nr.

934, p. 109.

No. 74 partially excavated,

7 =nr.

735, p. 109.

p. 82.

8 =nr. 2052, p. h i . 9 =nr. 1186, p. no.

3 Pit No. 96 and posthole

10 =nr.

715, p. 109.

PI. 13: i Pit No. 75 with burnt clay

11 =nr. 1208, p. i n .

and wood splinters, p. 82.

12 =nr. 1 101, p. no.

2 Pit No. 98 and postholes

13 =nr.

715, p. 109.

Nos. 99, 100, 87, 86 and

14 = nr.

255, p. 108.

88, p. 83 and 85.

15 = nr. 1413, p. i n .

PI. 14: i Postholes Nos. 101, 105

16 =nr.

477, p. 108.

and 106, p. 85-86.

17 =nr.

961, p. 109.

2 Hearth No. 44, p. 78.

PL

3 Posthole No. 26 partially

H-M , p. 65.

tially excavated, p. 107. PI.

2 Posthole No. 89, p. 84.

PL 7: i“ 2 Profile at 47 m, p. 92. 8: 1-2 Profile at 3 m, F-J and

184 excavated,

2 Pit No. 207, p. 92.

No. 97, p. 85.

2 Foundation II, from N,

No.

PI. 18: i Hearth No. 206, p. 107.

4 Postholes Nos. 94, 92, 95, PI. i i :i Posthole No. 90, p. 84.

Pit p. 99.

and 93, p. 84.

p. 62. part

2 Posthole No. 29 and pits

PI. 10: i Posthole No. 49, p. 79.

3 Posthole No. 49 partially

p. 61.

25, P- 76-77PI. 16: i Pits Nos. 23 and 22, p. 76.

p. 107. 3 Posthole No. 70, p. 81.

p. 61.

PL

PL

2 Posthole

2 Foundation L

3: i Foundation

excavated, p. 77.

p. 80.

part, p. 61.

PL

2 Posthole No. 27 partially

4 Postholes Nos. 61 and 70,

I. Western

part, p. 61. PL

PI. 15: i Posthole No. 27, p. 77.

70, p. 81.

part, p. 61.

excavated, p. 76.

18 =nr. 1412, p. i n . PI. 20:

19 =nr.

962, p. 109.

i = nr.

603, p. 108.

10

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

PI. 20: 2 =nr. 1547, p. h i .

PL 31:

2 =nr. 1714, p. 116.

PL 34: 5= nr.

3 = nr. 1414, p. h i ,

3 =nr.

176, p. 121.

6

4 = nr. 1460, p. 160.

4 =nr.

176, p. 121.

7 = nr.

=nr.

572, p. 129. 692, p. 129. 574, p.129.

5 = nr. 1411, p. h i .

5 “ nr.

985, p .117.

8 =nr.

571, p. 129.

PL 21

= nr. 2200, p. 112.

6 = nr.

489, p. 117.

9=nr.

573, p. 129.

PL 22

=nr. 2200, p. 112.

7 =nr.

269, p. 122.

PL 23

=nr. 1000, p. 112.

8 =nr.

252, p. 117.

PL 24

PL 35:

i =nr.

830, p. 129.

2 =nr.

691, p. 129.

= nr. 1000, p. 112.

9 =nr. 1580, p. 116.

3 =nr.

802, p. 129.

PL 25:1-2 =nr. 1000, p. 112.

10 =nr. 1940, p. 122.

4 =nr.

92, p. 129.

PL 26:

5 =nr.

94, p. 129.

PL 27:

PL 28:

i = nr.

90, p. 114.

11 =nr.

2 = nr.

98, p. 114.

12 =nr.

997, p. 122.

6=nr.

377, p. 129.

3 =nr. 1863, P- nS-

13 = nr.

997, p. 1 16.

7 = nr. 8= nr.

770, P- 155997, p.129.

i —nr. 536, p.115.

14= nr.

997, p. 116.

2 = nr. 2000, p. 115.

15 =nr.

997, p. 116.

3 =nr. 1352, p. 115.

16 =nr.

674, p. 116.

7, p. 128.

17 = nr.

323, p.114.

11 =nr.

i8=nr.

379, p. 122.

12 =nr. 1675, P- I29 -

192, p. 114.

PL 32:

4 =nr. 1102, p. 115. 5=nr.

757, p.115.

6 =nr. 1644, p. 116.

19 = nr.

8, p. 117.

i = nr.

699, p. 115.

2 =nr.

2= nr.

344, p.114.

3 = nr. 1417, p. 129.

PL 36:

i =nr. 1861, p. 129. 100, p. 129.

3 =nr. 1167, p. 158.

4=nr.

4 =nr.

828, p. 158.

5 =nr. 2411, p. 130.

935, p.129.

6 =nr. 1903, p. 129.

7 =nr.

863, p. 1 16.

5 =nr.

860, p. 158.

8 = nr.

706, p. 117.

6 = nr.

541, p. 158.

7 =nr. 1900, p. 130.

9 = nr.

593, P* 1 15 *

7= nr.

804, p. 158.

8 =nr. 1583, p. 116.

10 =nr.

475, p.114.

8 =nr. 1654, p. 158.

9 =nr. 2241, p. 130.

11 =nr. 1144, P- I2212 =nr. 2352, p. 115.

9 =nr. 1613, p. 159.

10 = nr. 2360, p. 130.

PL 33:

i =nr.

11 =nr. 2003, p. 130.

834, p. 116.

13 =nr. 1416, p. 115.

2 =nr. 2385, p. 116.

14 =nr. 1598, p. 117.

3=nr.

15 = nr.

948, p.115.

4

16 =nr.

725, p. 122.

5= nr.

569, p. 116.

17 =nr. 1416, p. 115.

6 = nr.

830, p. 116.

5 =nr. 2243, p. 130.

18 =nr.

7 = nr.

570, p. 1 16.

6 =nr. 2382, p. 130.

420, p. 114.

i =nr. 1415, p. 1 17. 2

=nr.

PL 37:

95, p.115.

i =nr. 2382, p. 130. 2 =nr. 2345, p. 130. 3 =nr. 2481, p. 131.

810, p. 116.

8 =nr. 2315, p. 116.

=nr. 1410, p. 1 17.

4 = nr. 2318, p. 130.

PL 38:

i =nr.

261, p. 124.

9 =nr. 2447, p. 116.

2= nr.

857, p. 124.

i =nr. 1 1 10, p. 122.

10 =nr. 2447, p. 116.

3=nr.

756, p. 124.

2 =nr.

372, p. 122.

11 =nr. 1519, p. 130.

4 =nr. 1256, p. 125.

3 = nr.

99, p. 121.

12 =nr. 2396, p. 130.

5 =nr.

91, p. 122.

4 = nr. 11 10, p. 122.

13 =nr. 1806, p. 122.

6 =nr.

87, p. 128.

5 = nr. 1039, p. 122.

14 =nr. 2319, p. 117.

7 =nr. 1419, p. 129.

6 =nr. 1157, p. 122.

15 =nr. 2380, p. 117.

8=nr.

7 = nr. 1304, p. 122.

16 =nr. 2319, p. 117.

9

8 =nr. 1304, p. 122.

PL 31:

141, p. 149.

i =nr. 2411, p. 115. 3 =nr.

PL 30:

9 =nr. 1347, p. 129. 10 =nr.

4 =nr. 2091, p. 115. 2 =nr. 1503, p. 115.

PL 29:

749, p. 122.

10 =nr. 2148, p. 116.

17 =nr. 1423, p. 122.

9 =nr.

378, p. 122.

10 =nr.

214, p. 122.

11 =nr.

246, p. 122.

3 =nr.

668, p. 149.

i =nr.

97, p. 1 17.

4=nr.

93, p. 129.

PL 34:

11 =nr.

i =nr. 1418, p. 129. 2 =nr. 1422, p. 129.

950, p .115.

=nr. 1334, p. i n .

PL 39:

680, 694, p. 124.

i =nr.

205, p. 124.

2 =nr.

919, p. 124.

3 =nr. 1707, p. 125.

II

L I S T OF P L A T E S

PI. 39: 4 -nr. 1601, p. 125. 5 =nr.

624, p. 124.

6 -nr.

481, p. 124.

9 = nr. 2297, p. 128. 10 = nr.

i =nr. 2019, p. 158.

6 -nr. 1626, p. 148. 7 -nr. 1584, p. 148.

9=nr.

703, p. 124.

3 =nr. 1133, p. 157.

8 -nr. 2351, p. 223.

10 -nr.

787, p. 124.

4 = nr. 1097, P- 157-

9 -nr. 2178, p. 223.

585, p. 157.

10 -nr. 1032, p. 223.

11 -nr. 1410, p. 125.

5=nr.

726, p. 157.

12 =nr. 1229, p. 125.

6= nr.

920, p. 157.

11 -nr.

918, p. 223.

i -nr. 1333, p. 125.

7 =nr. 1895, p. 158.

12 -nr.

180, p. 223.

2= nr.

8 = nr. 1708, p. 158.

13 -nr. 1341, p. 223.

9=nr.

14 = nr. 2439, p. 223.

485, p. 124.

808, p. 157.

4 -nr. 2097, p. 125.

10 =nr. 2246, p. 158.

5 -nr. 1237, p. 125.

11 =nr. 2043, p. 158.

2 -nr.

319, p. 160.

6=nr.

12 = nr. 1676, p. 158.

3 -nr.

868, p. 161.

13 =nr.

4 -nr.

755, p. 160.

555, p. 124.

305, p. 157.

PI. 48:

i =nr. 1634, P- 161.

190, p. 124.

14 = nr. 2083, p. 158.

5 -nr. 2323, p. 162.

9 -nr. 1123, p. 125.

15 =nr. 1296, p. 137.

6 -nr.

10 -nr. 1640, p. 125.

16 =nr. 1063, p. 157.

7 -nr. 1508, p. 162.

11 -nr. 2083, p. 125.

17 = nr. 1250, p. 157.

8 -nr. 1424, p. 161.

12 -nr. 2336, p. 126.

18 = nr. 1721, p. 158.

8 -nr.

13 -nr. 2336, p. 128. 14 -nr.

86, p. 124.

15 = nr.

i, p. 124.

PI. 45:

9 - nr.

443, p. 160.

787, p. 160.

i =nr. 1942, p. 158.

10 - nr. 459, p. 160.

2=nr.

11 -nr.

Q55, p. 137.

3 = nr. 2149, p. 158.

213, p. 160.

12 -nr. 2144, p. 162.

4= nr.

705, p. 157.

13 -nr. 1051, p. 161.

5= nr.

836, p. 157.

14 -nr. 1693, p. 162.

2 -nr. 2016, p. 125.

6 =nr. 2180, p. 138.

15 -nr. 1548, p. 161.

3 -nr. 1627, p. 125.

7 =nr. 1420, p. 157.

16 - nr. 2098, p. 162.

4 -nr. 1561, p. 125.

8= nr.

395, p. 157.

17 - nr. 2098, p. 162.

5 =nr.

346, p. 124.

9 =nr. 1283, p. 157.

18 -nr. 2213, p. 162.

6 =nr.

154, p. 124.

16 =nr. 1646, p. 125. 1 - nr.

13, p. 124.

10 =nr. 1914, p. 158.

19 - nr. 2093, p. 162.

7 = nr. 764, p.124.

11 =nr. 1970, p. 158.

20 - nr. 793, p. 160.

8 -nr. 1078, p. 124.

12 =nr. 1290, p. 157.

21 -nr. 2090, p. 162.

1 10, p. 124.

13 =nr. 2120, p. 158.

22 -nr. 1505, p. 161.

10 -nr. 2226, p. 125.

14 =nr. 1758, p. 158.

23 -nr.

I5 =nr.

24 -nr. 2083, p. 162.

9 -nr.

11 -nr./ 845, p. 126. i = nr.i 1633, p. 127. 2 =nr.i 483, p. 126.

612, p. 157.

648, p. 160.

16 =nr. 1841, p. 158.

25 -nr.

17 =nr. 202Q, p. 158.

26 -nr. 1558, p. 161.

740, p. 160.

18 =nr. 1758, p. 158.

27 -nr.

i =nr. 1132, p. 156.

28 -nr.

527, p. 160.

549, p. 126.

2 =nr. 2250, p. 148.

29 -nr.

763, p. 160.

i -nr. 2439, p. 128.

847, p. 160.

3 -nr. 1955, p. 127. 4 =nr. 1421, p. 128. 5= nr. PL 43:

925, p. 148.

5 =nr. 1286, p. 148.

2=nr.

PL 44:

7 -nr. 1789, p. 125.

PI. 42:

4=nr.

377, p. 126.

946, p. 124.

3 =nr. 1204, p. 125.

PI. 41:

PI. 47: 3 -nr. 1173, p. 148.

8 -nr.

7 -nr. 2022, p. 125.

PI. 40:

PI. 43: 8 =nr. 1270, p. 127.

PI. 46:

621, p. 160.

3 = nr. 1584, p. 148.

30 - nr.

2 = nr. 1377, p. 127.

4=nr. 1775, p. 148.

31 -nr. 2422, p. 162.

3 -nr. 1068, p. 127.

5 =nr. 2038, p. 148.

32 -nr. 1188, p. 161.

4 =nr. 2143, p. 128.

6 =nr. 2336, p. 148.

33 -nr. 1185, p. 161.

5 -nr. 1303, p. 127.

7 =nr. 2023, p. 148.

34 -nr. 1932, p. 162.

i =nr. 1344, p. 156.

35 -nr. 1150, p. 161.

2 =nr.

36 -nr.

6 -nr. 1115, p. 127. 7 =nr.

927, p. 126.

PL 47:

862, p. 148.

727, p. 160.

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

12

PI. 50: 5 =nr. 2165, p. 166.

PI. 48: 37 = nr. 1516, p. 161.

PI. 48: 85 =nr. 1929, p. 162.

38 = nr. 1248, p. 161.

86 =nr. 1196, p. 161.

6 =nr. 1322, p. 166.

39 = nr. 1025, p. 161.

87 =nr. 1936, p. 163.

7=nr.

135, p. 164.

i =nr. 2365, p. 163.

8 =nr. 1099, p. 165.

2 =nr. 1909, p. 162.

9 =nr.

620, p. 165.

42 =nr. 2073, p. 162.

3 =nr. 1909, p. 162.

10 =nr.

708, p. 165.

43 =nr. 1262, p. 161.

4 =nr. 2244, p. 163.

11 =nr. 1172, p. 165.

40 = nr. 1649, p. 161.

PI. 49:

41 = nr. 1424, p. 161.

44 = nr. 1021, p. 161.

5 =nr. 2244, p. 163.

11 =nr.

45 = nr. 1027, p. 161.

6 =nr. 2366, p. 163.

12 =nr. 1408, p. 166.

46 = nr. 1042, p. 161.

7 =nr. 1799, p. 163.

PI. 51:

i =nr.

564, p. 164. 267, p. 166.

47 = nr. 1154, P- 161.

8 =nr. 2472, p. 163.

i =nr.

351, p. 166.

48 = nr. 2087, p. 162.

9 =nr. 2361, p. 163.

1 =nr.

297, p. 166.

49 = nr. 1675, p. 162.

10 =nr. 2361, p. 163.

2 =nr. 1149, p. 166.

50= nr.

334, p. 160.

11 = nr. 2346, p. 163.

2= nr.

51 =nr. 1857, p. 162.

12 =nr. 2223, p. 163.

3 =nr. 1981, p. 166.

52 =nr. 1715, p. 162.

13 =nr. 3082, p. 162.

4 =nr. 2055, p. 166.

53 = nr. 1645, p. 163.

14 =nr. 1565, p. 161.

5 =nr.

219, p. 166.

54 =nr. 1698, p. 162.

15 =nr. 2005, p. 162.

6-7 =nr.

295, p. 166.

55 = nr. 2463, p. 162.

16 =nr. 2365, p. 163.

6-7 =nr.

497, p. 166.

56 =nr. 1977, p. 162.

17 =nr. 2372, p. 163.

8 =nr.

626, p. 175.

57 =nr.

512, p. 160.

18 =nr. 1915, p. 162.

8 =nr.

709, p. 176.

58 =nr.

241, p. 160.

19 =nr. 2377, p. 163.

9 =nr.

643, p. 166.

354, p. 167.

59 = nr. 1318, p. 161.

20 =nr. 2222, p. 163.

60 =nr. 1639, p. 161.

21 = nr. 1358, p. 239.

10 =nr.

643, p. 166.

61 =nr. 1425, p. 161.

22 = nr. 2295, P- 239.

11 =nr.

643, p. 166.

62 =nr. 1425, p. 161.

23 =nr.

12 =nr.

626, p. 175.

63 = nr. 1425, p. 161.

24 =nr. 1240, p. 223.

13 =nr. 1093, p. 178.

64 = nr. 1223, p. 161.

25 =nr. 2128, p. 223.

14 =nr. 1100, p. 178.

65 = nr. 1744, p. 162.

26= nr.

69, p. 222.

i5=nr.

917, p. 178.

66 =nr. 1659, p. 161.

27 =nr.

81, p. 222.

i =nr.

207, p. 167.

i =nr.

i, p. 164.

i =nr.

335, P* 167.

68 = nr. 1709, p. 162.

i =nr.

14, p. 164.

1 =nr.

292, p. 167.

69 =nr.

752, p. 160.

i =nr.

442, p. 164.

2 =nr.

655, p. 167.

70 =nr. 1210, p. 161.

i =nr.

825, p. 164.

3 =nr.

276, p. 167.

71 = nr. 1164, p. 161.

i =nr.

135, p. 164.

3= nr.

342, p. 167.

67 =nr.

870, p. 161.

PI. 50:

9 =nr. 1095, P- J66.

616, p. 239.

PI. 52:

72 = nr. 1080, p. 161.

i =nr.

963, p. 165.

4 =nr.

210, p. 167.

73 = nr. 1925, p. 162.

1 =nr.

535, P- 164.

5 =nr.

537 (ev. 557) p. 167

74 =nr. 1330, p. 161.

2 =nr.

66, p. 164.

6 = nr.

305, p .17 1.

75 = nr. 1330, p. 161.

2 =nr.

368, p. 164.

6 =nr.

371, p. 172.

76 =nr. 2054, p. 162.

2 =nr.

823, p. 165.

6 =nr. 1033, p. 178.

77 =nr.

992, p. 161.

2 =nr. 1294, P- 166.

6 =nr.

138, p. 169.

78 = nr. 1319, p. 161.

2 =nr. 1405, p. 166.

6 =nr.

695, p. 176.

79 =nr. 1319, p. 161.

3 =nr.

224, p. 164.

7 =nr.

622, p. 167.

80 =nr. 2223, p. 162.

4 =nr.

248, p. 164.

8 =nr.

177, p. 169.

81 = nr. 1750, p. 162.

4=nr.

576, p. 164.

9=nr.

657, p. 175.

82 =nr.

781, p. 160.

4 =nr. 1350, p. 166.

83 = nr. 2371, p. 163.

4 =nr. 2083, p. 166.

11 =nr.

364, p. 167.

84 =nr. 2059, p. 162.

5 = nr.

12 =nr.

289, p. 166.

262, p. 164.

10 =nr. 1264, p. 168.

L I S T OF P L A T E S

329, p. 167.

PI. 54: 6 =nr.

55, P- 183.

PL 58: 10 =nr.

250, p. 182.

14 =nr. 2056, p. 168.

7=nr.

50, p. 183.

11 =nr.

281, p. 182,

15 =nr. 1149, p. 168.

8

PI. 52: 13 = nr.

15 =nr. m i , p. 167. PI. 53:

i = nr. i

=nr.

i =nr.

=nr. 1230, p. 183.

13 =nr.

701, p. 182.

9=nr.

79, p. 183.

10 =nr.

460, p. 183.

133, p. 169.

11 =nr. 1230, p. 183.

15 =nr. 1865, p. 182.

12 = n r .

54, p . 183.

16 =nr. 1724, p. 220.

13 =nr.

118, p. 183.

17 =nr. 1873, p. 182.

198, p. 170.

1 = nr.

376, p. 172.

2 =nr.

228, p. 170.

PI. 55: as PL 54.

2 =nr.

124, p. 169.

PL 56:

3 =nr.

12 = nr. 466, p. 182.

22, p. 168.

2= nr. 677, p. 175.

14 = nr. 2339, p. 220.

18 =nr. 1924, p. 183.

i =nr.

343, P- 183.

2=nr.

38, p. 183.

PL 59:

i =nr.

1230, 1363, 1434,

p. 184.

206, p. 170.

3 = nr. 1538, p. 184.

3= nr. 577, P- 1743= nr. 494, p. 173.

4 =nr. 1231, p. 183.

3 =nr. 1434, p. 184.

5=nr.

4 =nr. 1829, p. 184,

2 =nr. 1538, p. 184,

78, p. 183.

3 =nr. 1406, p. 180.

6 = nr. 468, p. 183.

5 =nr. 1434, p. 184.

4 =nr. 1099. p. 178.

7 = nr.

311, p. 183.

6 =nr. 1435, p. 184.

4 =nr.

690, p. 176.

8 =nr.

3 1 1 , p . 183.

7 =nr. 1434, p. 184.

4=nr.

736, p. 176.

9 =nr.

3 5 5 , P* 183.

8 =nr. 1434, p. 184.

4 =nr.

741, p. 176.

10 =nr.

343, p. 183.

9 =nr. 1069, p. 184.

5 = nr.

1 14, p. 169.

11 = n r .

498 , p . 183.

PL 60:1-6 =nr. 2306, p. 208.

6 =nr. 1177, p. 179.

12 =nr. 1433, p. 183.

PL 61:1-2 =nr. 2316, p. 208.

7 =nr.

64, p. 168.

13 = nr.

57, p.183.

3 =nr. 1687, p. 202.

8 = nr. 590, P- 1748 = nr. 605, p. 174.

14 = nr.

85, p. 183.

4 = nr. 1238, p. 197.

ï5=nr.

498, p. 183.

5 =nr. 1428, p. 201.

8 =nr. 1406, p. 180.

16 =nr.

498, p. 183.

6-7 =nr. 2146, p. 206.

8 =nr. 2087, p. 180.

17 =nr. 1433, p. 183.

9 = nr. 1163,

p.

179.

18-34 as PI- 56: 1-17.

9 =nr. 1162,

p.

179.

PL

5 7:

i =nr.

513, p .2 1 9 .

8 =nr. 2464, p. 209. PL 62:

i =nr. 2074, p. 236. 2 =nr. 2047, p. 236.

10 = nr. 418, p. 175.

2 =nr. 1959, p. 220.

3=nr.

11 =nr.

635, p. 173.

3 =nr.

4 = nr. 1147, p. 235.

=nr.

605, p. 174.

4 = n r . 1 4 3 5 , p. 220.

5 =nr. 1221, p. 235.

11 =nr.

598, p. 174.

5 =nr. 1158, p. 219.

6=nr. 7=nr.

ii

7 7 , p. 185.

165, p. 233.

595, P - 234819, p. 234.

12 =nr. 1100, p. 178.

6 =nr.

422, p. 183.

13 =nr. 1880, p. 180.

7 =nr.

960, p. 184.

8 =nr. 1232, p. 235.

13 =nr. 1854, P- 180.

8 =nr. 1696, p. 184.

9 =nr. 1058, p. 235.

13 = nr. 1965, p. 180.

9=nr.

758, p. 184.

10 =nr. 1272, p. 235.

13 =nr. 2045, p. 180.

10 =nr.

416, p. 184.

11 =nr.

14 = nr. 353, p. 172.

11 =nr.

377, p. 219.

12 =nr. 1297, p. 235.

15 =nr. 2884, p. 181.

12 =nr. 1278, p. 182.

16 =nr. 1409, p. 180. 17 =nr. 1768, p. 180.

PL 54:

*3

PL 58:

i =nr. 2

=nr.

424, p. 182. 180, p. 182.

î3=nr.

981, p. 234. 454, p. 233.

14 =nr. 1364, p. 235. PL 63 Postholes etc.

18 =nr. 3032, p. 181.

3= nr. 495, p. 182.

nr.

3, p. 74, nr. 49, p. 79,

19 =nr.

234, p. 171.

4 =nr.

495, p. 182.

nr.

50, p. 79, nr. 52, p. 80,

i =nr. 1433, p. 183.

5 =nr.

142, p. 182.

nr.

84, p. 83, nr. 85, p. 83,

2 =nr. 1433, p. 183.

6 = nr.

48, p. 182.

nr.

105, p. 86, nr.106, p. 86,

3 = nr. 1433, p. 183.

7 = n r . 1 2 2 9 , p . 182.

4 =nr.

46, p . 183.

8 = nr.

52, p. 182.

5 =nr.

7 3 , P- 18 3.

9 =nr.

141, p. 182.

nr. 1 13, p. 87. PL 64 Postholes etc. nr. 47, p. 79, nr. 48, p. 79,

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

*4 nr.

50,p. 79, nr. 52, p. 80,

nr. 173, p. 103, nr. 174, p. 103,

nr.

55,p. 80, nr. 56, p. 80,

nr. 177, p. 104, nr. 185, p. 105,

nr.

75,p. 82, nr. 76, p. 82,

nr.

109,p. 86, nr. no, p. 86.

PL 73

tour lines.

nr. 195, p. 106, nr. 196, p. 106. PL 74

PL 69 Postholes etc.

Foundation I with con­ structional details and con­ Foundation I with con­

nr. 176, p. 104, nr. 178, p. 104,

structional details and re­

nr.

83,p. 83, nr. 93, p. 84,

nr. 179, p. 104, nr. 180, p. 104,

ferences to descriptions.

nr.

95,p. 84, nr. 98, p. 85,

nr. i8i,p. 104,nr. 183,p. 105.

nr.

99,p. 85, nr. 100, p. 85,

nr. 203, p. 106, nr. 204, p. 107,

structional details and con­

nr.

112,p. 86, nr. 121, p. 87,

nr. 205, p. 107.

tour lines.

PL 65 Postholes etc.

nr. 141, p. 99, nr. 157, p. 102, PL 66 Postholes etc. nr. 103, p. 85, nr. 108, p. 86, nr. 138, p. 98, nr. 140, p. 100. PL 67 Postholes etc. nr. 107, p. 86, nr. 114, p. 87,

Foundation II with con­

Foundation II with con­

nr. 184, p. 99, nr. 199, p. 106,

structional details and re­

nr. 202, p. 106.

ferences to descriptions.

PL 71: i Profile at B, p. 93.

nr. n i ,p . 65, nr. 125,p. 88,

nr. 122, p. 87, nr. 123, p. 88,

PL 76

PL 70 Postholes etc.

nr. 171, p. 103, nr. 172,p. 103.

PL 75

PL 77

The ancient monuments

2 Profile at 8 m, p. 66.

on the eastern part of

3 Profile at 3 m, p. 65.

Helgö, Ekerö parish, Upp­

4 Profile at 47 m, p. 92.

land. General map prepa­

5 Profile at 25 m, p. 68.

red in

PL 72: 1-2 Profile at K, p. 69 and

1955-59

Ekelund,

P.

by

G.

Lundström

and C. Varenius. Central

nr. 158, p. 102.

9 33 Profile at 38 m, p. 90.

PL 68 Postholes etc.

4 Profile at 16 m, p. 67.

ties.

nr. 154)P- ioi,nr. 156,p. 101.

Office of National Antiqui­

L I S T OF T E X T I L L U S T R A T I O N S Fig.

i. Topographical map, The

parts p. 41. Fig.

2. The boundary at Ekerö be­ tween the counties of Upp­ land

and

3. The boundary at Ekerö be­

later times, p. 27. tween the counties of Upp­ land

and

Södermanland

since 1943, p. 27.

Fig.

Fig. 12. View to Foundation I, III and IV from NW, p. 58. Fig. 13. View to Foundation I from

its

prehistoric

W, p. 58. Fig. 14. Foundation I, central part,

re­

mains. Cp. Fig. 6. p. 47. Fig.

4. The boundary at Ekerö be­

Mälaren,

6. The eastern part of Helgö

with

tween the counties of Upp­

Fig.

Lake

Fig. 7. The eastern part of Helgö

during the Middle Ages,

land and Södermanland in

of

from the air, p. 46.

Södermanland

p. 26. Fig.

5. Helgö with neighbouring

nance Survey Dep., Scale i : 50000, p. 24. Fig.

Fig.

Map Branche of the Ord­

8. Phosphate analysis within

excavated, p. 71. Fig. 15. Foundation

part excavated, p. 95. western

remains, p. 54.

p. 96.

gold

western

Fig. 16. Foundation detail from the

the area of the prehistoric 9. Two

II,

part, excavated,

spiral rings,

Fig. 17. Silver bowl, nr 1411, recon­

Fig. 10. View to Foundation I and

Fig. 18. Buddha, nr 2200, before

p. 56. III from NE, p. 57. Fig. i i . View to Foundation I-IV from N, p. 57.

structed, p. no, i n . cleaning, p. 112, 11 2 . Fig. 19-20. Buddha, side and back view, p. 113, I I 2.

L I S T OF T E XT I L L U S T R A T I O N S

Fig. 2i. Crozier head, nr iooo, side

Fig. 27: 7 = nr. 2424, p. 125, Jjö.

view, p. 113, 1 1 2. decoration, p. 117, 1 1 7 .

Fig. 28:

128.

4 -nr. 1329, p. 132, 14 8 .

2=nr. 1997, p. 126,

128. 127.

3 =nr.

804, p. 118, 158.

4=nr.

126.

4 =nr.

757, p. 118, 1 1 5 .

445, p. 126,

5 = nr. 2373, p. 132, 137Fig. 34:

i = nr. 2213, p. 133, 14g. 2 -nr. 1181, p. 133,14 9 ’

5 =nr. 2336, p. 126,

128

5 -nr. 2411, p. 118, i i 5.

6 =nr.

492, p. 126,

126.

6 =nr. 1503, p. 118, 1 1 5.

7 = nr.

887, p. 126,

126.

5 =nr. 1337, p. 133, 136.

7 -nr. 2196, p. 118, 1 1 5 .

8 =nr. 1169, p. 126,

127.

6 = nr. 1775, p. 133, Jj6.

9 =nr. 1711, p. 126,

127.

7 =nr. 2248, p. 133, 146.

io=nr. 1987, p. 126,

127.

8 =nr. 2405, p. 133, 1 3 5 ’

nr. 1886, p. 118, 1 1 5 . nr.

706, p. 118, 1 1 5 .

.

3 =nr. 2468, p. 133, 1 3 7 ’ 4 =nr. 2356, p. 133, 1 3 7 ’

10 -nr. 2380, p. 118, 1 17.

II =nr. 2039, p. 126, 1 2 6 .

11 -nr. 1416, p. 118, i i 5.

i2=nr. 2086, p. 126,

136.

13 =nr. 2228, p. 126,

128.

I4=nr.

647, p. 126,

126.

i =nr. 2471, p. 127,

128.

3 =nr. 2361, p. 134, 1 3 7 ’

2 =nr. 2353, p. 127,

128.

4 -nr. 1944, p. 134, 150.

91, p. 118, 122.

13 =nr. 1544, p. 118, 122. 14 -nr. 2268, p. 118, 150. i -nr.

680, p. 119, 124.

2 -nr.

Fig. 29:

699, p. 119, 1 1 5 .

3 = nr. 2220, p. 127,

128.

3 -nr. 1102, p. 119, i i 5.

4=nr. 2466, p. 127,

128.

4 -nr. 2359, p. 119, 1 2 6 .

5 =nr. 2376, p. 127,

128.

5 -nr.

6 =nr. 1941, p. 127,

127.

756, p. 119, 1 2 4 .

6 -nr. 1460, p. 1 19, 164. 7 =nr. 8-

Fig. 30:

536, p. 119, a 5. nr. 2479, p. 119, 126.

9 = nr. 1526, p. 133, 136. io=nr. 1014, p. 133, 138. Fig. 35:

i -nr. 1823, p. 134, Jj6. 2 =nr. 2314, p. 134, 1 3 7 ’

5 =nr. 1016, p. 134, 15 5 . Fig. 36:

i -nr. 18,

p. 136, 128.

2 -nr. 1514, p. 136, 14g. Fig. 37:

i -nr. 2421, p. 137, 14g.

i =nr.

573, p. 129,

129.

2 =nr.

2 = nr.

573, p. 129,

129.

3 =nr.

193, p. 137, 1 3 5 ’

3 =nr.

404, p. 129,

129

.

4=nr.

871, p. 137, 1 5 1 .

.

5 =nr.

814, p. 137, 1 3 5 ’

972, p. 137, 14g.

i -nr.

93, p. 120, 1 2 g .

4 =nr. 2376, p. 129,

130

2 -nr.

574, p. 120, 12Ç.

5 =nr. 2088, p. 129,

130.

6 -nr. 1287, p. 137, 1 3 5 ’

3 -nr.

691, p. 120,

i2g.

6 =nr. 2396, p. 129,

130.

7 -nr.

4 -nr.

810, p. 120, 1 1 6 .

7 =nr. 2396, p. 129,

130.

8 -nr. 2421, p. 137, 14g.

5 -nr. 1714, p. 120, 1 1 6 .

8 =nr.

129.

i = nr. 2241, p. 121, 130.

9 =nr. 2227, p. 129, J55.

10 -nr. 1501, p. 137, 136.

i =nr. 1209, p. 130, JJ5 -

11 -nr. 1517, p. 137, 132.

592, p. 129,

9 -nr.

883, p. 137, 1 3 5 . 874, p. 137, I4 2 y

2 -nr.

100, p. 121, 12g.

3 -nr.

935, p. 121, 12g.

2 =nr. 2439, p. 130, 139 '

1 2 -nr. 1124, p. 137, 132.

4 =nr. 2411, p. 121, 120.

3 =nr. 2297, p. 130, 1 5 3 .

13 -nr.

5 -nr. 1900, p. 121, 130.

4 =nr. 2297, p. 130,

130.

1 4 -nr. 1160, p. 137, 132.

5 =nr. 2239, p. 130, 153-

15 - nr. 1079, p. 137, 1 3 5 ’

i =nr. 1233, p. 131, 14 9 •

16 -nr.

17, p. 137, 1 3 5 ’

8 -nr. 1583, p. 121, 1 1 6 .

2 =nr.

88, p. 131,

154.

17 -nr.

732, p. 137, JJJ.

9-

3 =nr. 2423, p. 131,

158.

18 -nr. 1075, p. 137, 132.

Fig. 31:

6 -nr. 1417, p. 121, 12g. 7 =nr. 2345, p. 121, 130. nr. 1861, p. 121, 12g.

10 -nr. 2396, p. 121, 130.

Fig. 32:

-nr.

569, p. 121, 1 1 6 .

4 =nr- 533, P- 131. J 4 T' 5 =nr. 1973, p. 131, 1 4 9 .

i -nr.

609, p. 125, J35.

6=nr.

ii

Fig. 27:

3 -nr. 1619, p. 132, 136.

i =nr. 2475, p. 126, 3 =nr. 1967, p. 126,

12 -nr.

Fig. 26:

2 -nr. 2252, p. 132, 130.

1 58.

i -nr. 2410, p. 118, 1 1 5 .

9-

Fig. 25:

i -nr. 2392, p. 132, 150.

9 = nr. 1652, p. 125,

2 -n r 1334, p. 118, h i .

8-

Fig. 24:

Fig. 33:

8=nr. 1691, p. 125, 133-

Fig. 22. Bronze ladle, nr 1410, front Fig. 23:

IS

890, p. 131,

129.

594, p. 131,

785, p. 137, 1 3 5 ’

1 9 -nr. 1106, p. 137, 12g. Fig. 38:

i -nr.

704, p. 138, 154.

2 -nr. 1261, p. 138, 1 3 5 ’

2 -nr. 1418, p. 125, 123,

7 =nr.

3 -nr.

524, p. 125, 135-

8=nr. 1009, p. 131,

156.

4 -nr.

4 -nr.

146, p. 125, 149-

9 =nr.

102, p. 131,

126.

5 -nr. 1226, p. 138, 12 7.

5 =nr. 2233, p. 125, 136.

10 =nr.

201, p. 131,

155

6 -nr. 1512, p. 125, 154.

11 =nr.

4, p. 131,

158.

.

148.

3 -nr. 1875, p. 138, 1 3 9 ’ 956, p. 138, 132.

6 -nr.

932, p. 138, 126.

7 -nr.

733, p. 138, 1 3 1 -

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

i6

Fig. 38: 8 = nr. 1938, p. 138, 125.

Fig.

46: io=nr. 2361, p. 140, 14 7.

Fig. 50:

5 =nr. 1157, p. 157, 1 5 7 -

9=nr. 1142, p. 138, 132.

Fig.

44: i =nr. 1584, p. 148, 148.

Fig. 51:

i = nr. 1913, p. 159, 149-

io=nr.

Fig. 39: Fig. 40:

Fig. 41:

157.

3 =nr. 2041, p. 159, 1 53-

12 = nr.

510, p. 138, 131-

4= nr.

4 = nr. 2215, p. 159, 128.

13 = nr.

862, p.

148, 158.

784, p. 138, 142.

5 = nr. 2149, p.

148, 148.

5 = nr. 2060, p. 159,

I 4 = n r . 1201, p. 138, 132.

6 =nr. 2431, p.

148, 150.

6 =nr. 1945, p. 159, 15 5 .

15 = nr. 1994, p. 138, 133-

7 = nr. 2110, p.

148, 154.

i =nr.

48, p. 182, 182.

ib = nr.

35, p. 138, 140.

8 =nr.

668, p.

148, 149.

2=nr.

142, p. 182, 182.

17 =nr.

505, p. 138, JJJ.

9=nr. 1962, p.

148, 149.

3 =nr.

424, p. 182, 182.

18 = nr.

125, p. 138, 131-

=nr. 2305, p. 148, 159.

4=nr.

495, p. 182, 182.

I9=nr.

65, p. 138, 140.

Fig.

45: i = nr. 1818, p. 149, 149.

20 = nr.

525, p. 138, 131-

Fig.

46: i = nr. 2448, p. 149, 148.

10

Fig. 52:

5 Fig. 53:

155.

=nr. 2087, p. 182, 182.

i =nr. 1069, p. 183, 184.

21 = nr. 1038, p. 138, 132.

2 = nr. 2337, p. 149, 148.

2= nr. 1230, p. 183, 184.

22=nr.

936, p. 138, 132.

3 =nr. 1434, p. 183, 184.

23 = nr.

216, p. 138, JJ-T.

3 =nr. 2433, P- 149, * 4 S. 4=nr. 2219, p. 149, 156.

24=nr.

826, p. 138, 132.

5 = nr. 2259, p.

25 =nr.

509, p. 138, 131-

6 =nr. 2343, p. 149, J56.

z6 = n r .

509, p. 138, 14 1 .

27 =nr.

238, p. 138, 1 4 1 .

28=nr.

300, p. 138, 14 1.

i =nr.

184, p. 138, 1 3 7 -

Fig.

Fig. 54:

149, 1 5 6 .

i =nr.

46, p. 184, 183.

2= nr. 1230, p. 184, 183. Fig. 55:

i =nr.

43, p. 186, 185.

7 =nr. 2347, P- 149, I 5 9 8 = nr. 2221, p. 149, 156.

2=nr.

57, p. 186, 185.

3 =nr.

62, p. 186, 185.

47: i = nr. 2452, p. 150, 1 5 0 . 2=nr.

4=nr.

71, p. 186, 186.

189, p. 150, 149.

5 =nr.

112, p. 186, 186.

i = nr.

921, p. 139, 138-

3 =nr. 2066, p. 150, 148.

6=nr.

162, p. 186, 186.

2= nr.

969, p. 139, 138.

4 = nr. 2371, p. 150, 14 7.

7 =nr.

136, p. 186, 186.

3 =nr.

969, p. 139, 13b.

5 = nr. 2147, p. 150, 1 5 6 .

8= nr.

169, p. 186, 187.

4 =nr. 1308, p. 139, 13b.

6 =nr. 2452, pi 150, 1 5 7 .

5 =nr.

7 =n r.

696, p. 139, 124.

i =nr. 2386, p. 139, 1 3 9 -

653, p.

9

150, J 5 5 .

8 =nr. 1259, p. 150, 156.

=nr. 187, p. 186, 187.

io=nr.

211, p. 186, 187.

=nr.

232, p. 186, 1 8 7 .

ii

434, p. 156, J5 5 *

I2=nr.

258, p. 186, 1 8 7 .

120, p. 156, 155.

13 =nr.

309, p. 186, 188.

4=nr. 2381, p. 139, 139 -

3 =nr. 1869, p. 156, J56.

14 =nr.

314, p. 186, 188.

5 = nr. 2028, p. 139, 140.

4 = nr. 1945, p. 156, 156.

15 =nr.

317, p. 186, 188.

3 =nr. 2428, p. 139, 140.

Fig. 48: i =nr. 2 = nr.

6 =nr. 2363, p. 139, 155-

5 =nr. 1234, p. 156, 156.

i6=nr.

316, p. 186, 188.

i =nr. 2361, p. 140, 140.

6 =nr. 1823, p. 156, 156.

17= nr.

342, p. 186, 188.

2=nr. 2427, p. 140, 140.

Fig. 49: i = nr. 2135, p. 157, 1 5 6 .

18 =nr.

361, p. 186, 188.

2 = nr. 2083, p. 157, 155.

19 =nr.

377, p. 186, 188.

4=nr. 2261, p. 140, 140.

3 =nr. 2083, p. 157, 1 3 4 •

20=nr.

377, p. 186, 188.

3 = nr.

Fig. 43:

2 =nr. 1107, p. 159,

148, 134-

3 = nr. 2451, p. 148, 159 .

2 = nr. 2399, p. 139, 154 .

Fig. 42:

2 =nr. 2050, p.

661, p. 138, JJJ.

11 = nr. 2029, p. 138, 134-

487, p. 140. 138.

5 = nr. 2398, p. 140, 140.

4 =nr. 2083, p. 157, J55.

i =nr.

380, p. 190, i8 g .

6 = nr. 2426, p. 140, 139-

5 = nr. 2083, p. 157, 145.

2=nr.

416, p. 190, 189.

i = nr. 2314, p. 140, 146.

6 = nr. 2083, p. 157, 158.

3 =nr.

422, p. 190, 189.

2 = nr. 2346, p. 140, 146.

7 = nr. 2083, p. 157, 1 4 5 .

4 =nr.

450, p. 190, 189.

3 =nr. 2341, p. 140, 146.

8 =nr. 2083, p. 157, J45.

5 =nr.

464, p. 190, 189.

4 =nr. 2341, p. 140, 146.

9 = nr. 2083, p. 157, 152.

6 =nr.

510, p. 190, 190.

5 = nr. 2406, p. 140, 14 7.

io=nr. 2083, p. 157, 152 .

7 =nr.

520, p. 190, 190.

6 =nr. 2341, p. 140, 146.

Fig. 50: i = nr. 2346, p. 157, J5 5 -

8= nr.

568, p. 190, 190.

7 = nr. 2347, P- 140, 146.

2 =nr. 2340, p. 157, X55.

9= nr.

623, p. 190, 190.

8= nr. 2149, p. 140, 145.

3 =nr. 2889, p. 157, 126.

io=nr.

628, p. 190, 190.

9 =nr. 2454, p. 140, 147.

4 =nr. 2889, p. 157, 15°•

i i =nr.

639, p. 190, 1 9 1 .

Fig. 56:

L I S T OF T E X T I L L U S T R A T I O N S

x7 Fig. 61: 16 =nr. 2306, p. 206, 208.

Fig: 56: 12 =nr.

685, p. 190, i g i .

13 = nr.

7 1 4 , p. 190, 1 9 1 .

14 = nr.

734, p. 190, 1 9 1 .

Fig. 59- 5= nr. 1349, p. 200, 199. 6 =nr. 1353, P- 200, J9 9 . 7 =nr. 1358, p. 200, 1 9 9 .

15 = nr.

7 7 1 , p. 190, 1 9 1 .

8 = nr. 1364, p. 200, 200.

16 = nr.

798, p. 190, 1 9 2 .

9 = nr. 1362, p. 200, 200.

17 = nr.

853, p. 190, 1 9 2 .

10 = nr. 1560, p. 200, 201.

3 =nr. 1617, p. 210, 209.

18 = nr.

891, p. 190, 192.

11 =nr. x 5 9 4 , P- 200, 202.

4=nr. 1728, p. 210. 2 j o .

i =nr.

902, p. 194, 192.

12 =nr. 1597, P- 200, 202.

5 =nr. 1797, p. 210, 210.

2 = nr.

940, p. 194, 193.

13 =nr. 1599, p. 200, 202.

6=nr. 1799, p. 210, 210.

3 = nr. 4 =nr.

9 7 4 , P- * 9 4 , J 9 3 .

14 = nr. 1655, p. 200, 202.

7 =nr. 1801, p. 210, 210.

974, p. 190, 1 9 3 .

15 =nr. 1672, p. 200, 202.

8 =nr. 1814, p. 210, 210.

5 =nr. 980, p. 194, 1 9 3 . 6 = nr. 1010, p. 194, J9 3 .

16 =nr. 1673, p. 200, 202.

9=nr. 1837, p. 210, 210.

17 =nr. 1687, p. 200, 202.

10 =nr. 1972, p. 210, 210.

7 =nr. 1055, P- 194, 8 = nr. 1061, p. 194, 194.

18 =nr. 1691, p. 200, 202.

11 =nr. 1984, p. 210,

210.

19 =nr. 1698, p. 200, 202.

i2 =nr. 2012, p. 210,

210.

Fig. 57:

9 = nr. 1081, p. 194, 1 9 4 .

Fig. 58:

Fig. 59:

18 =nr. 2320, p. 206, 208. Fig. 62:

i =nr. 1606, p. 210, 209. 2 =nr. 1609, p. 210, 209.

i =nr. 1734, p. 203, 203.

13 =nr. 2116, p. 201, 2JJ.

10 = nr. 1090, p. 194, 194.

2 = nr. x7 So, P- 302, 203.

i4=nr. 2277, p. 210,

2 12

.

11 =nr. 112 6 , p. 194, J9 5.

3 = nr.

15 =nr. 2238, p. 210,

208

.

12 = nr. 112 9 , p. 194, J9 5.

4 = nr. 1873, p. 203, 203.

13 = nr. 113 9 , p. 194, 195.

5 = nr. 1875, P- 203, 203.

14 = nr. 114 9, p. 194, J 9 5 .

6 =nr. 1934, p. 203, 204.

15 = nr. 115 8 , p. 194, J9 5.

7 =nr. 1945, p. 203, 204.

2=nr. 2268, p. 212, 2 1 1 .

16 = nr. 117 0 , p. 194, 196.

8 = nr. 1945, p. 203, 204.

3 =nr. 2270, p. 212, 2 i

17 = nr. 1 1 9 1 , p. 194, 196.

9 =nr. 1947, p. 203, 204.

4=nr. 2277, p. 212, 212.

18 = nr. 119 2, p. 194, J96.

10 =nr. 1954, p. 203, 204.

5 =nr. 2289, p. 212, 212.

i = nr. 119 2, p. 198, 196.

11 =nr. 1964, p. 203, 204.

6=nr. 2289, p. 212, 212.

2 = nr. 119 3, p. 198, 196.

12 =nr. 1963, p. 203, 204.

7 =nr. 2300, p. 212, 212.

3 = nr.

119 5 , p. 198, 196.

13 =nr. 1976, p. 203, 204.

8 =nr. 2313, p. 212, 213.

4 = nr. 1203, p. 198, 196.

14 = nr. 19 71, p. 203, 204.

5 =nr. 1205, p. 198, 196. 6 = nr. 1206, p. 198, 196.

15 = nr. 1968, p. 203, 204.

jo

= n r. 2319, p. 212,

16 = nr. 2002, p. 203, 204.

ii

=nr. 2336, p. 212, 2 1 3 .

7 = nr. 1207, p. 198, 196.

17 = nr. 2053, p. 203, 205.

i2 =nr. 2341, p. 212, 213.

8 =nr. 1238, p. 198, J 9 7 .

18 = nr. 2065, p. 203, 205.

13 =nr. 2342, p. 212, 213.

9 = nr. 1246, p. 198, J 9 7 .

Fig. 60:

17 =nr. 2316, p. 206, 208.

17 7 5 , p. 203, 203.

i6=nr. 2238, p. 210, 207. i7 = n r. 2245, p. 210, 2 1 1 .

Fig. 63:

i =nr. 2261, p. 212, 2 1 1 .

i .

9 =nr. 2318, p. 212, 213.

213.

i =nr. 2067, p. 206, 20 5.

i4=nr. 2344, p. 212, 213.

10 = nr. 1247, p. 198, 197.

2 = nr. 2106, p. 206, 205.

15 =nr. 2346, p. 212, 213.

11 = nr. 1278, p. 198, 198.

3 = nr. 2 118 , p. 206, 206.

16 =nr. 2347, p. 212, 213.

12 = nr. 128 1, p. *98, 198.

4 = nr. 2 119 , p. 206, 206.

13 = nr. 1282, p. 198, 198.

5 =nr. 2120, p. 206, 206.

Fig. 61:

17 =nr. 2348, p. 212, 213. Fig. 64:

i =nr. 2341, p. 214, 213. 2=nr. 2439, p. 214, 209.

14 = nr. 1288, p. 198, 198.

6 = nr. 2122, p. 206, 206.

15 = nr. 1292, p. 198, 198.

7 = nr. 2133, p. 206, 206.

3 =nr. 2459, p. 214, 209.

16 = nr. 1299, p. 198, 198.

8 = nr. 2146, p. 206, 206.

4=nr. 2462, p. 214, 209.

17 = nr. 1298, p. 198, 198.

9 =nr. 2146, p. 206, 20 7.

5 =nr. 2464, p. 214, 209.

18 = nr. 1 3 1 1 , p. 198, 198.

10 = nr. 2148, p. 206, 20 7.

6 =nr. 2108, p. 214, 205.

19 = nr. 13 15 , p. 198, J9 9 .

11 = nr. 2170 , p. 206, 20 7.

7 =nr. 1429, p. 214, 20J.

i =nr. 1332, p. 200, J9 9 .

12 = nr. 218 7, p. 206, 20 7.

8 =nr. 1428, p. 214, 20J.

2 = nr. 13 35 , P- 200, 199.

13 = nr. 2286, p. 206, 208 .

9 =nr. 1427, p. 214, 20J.

3 = nr. 1306, p. 200, 198. 4 = nr. 1348, p. 200. 199.

14 = nr. 2294, p. 206, 208.

10 =nr. 1426, p. 214, 201.

15 =nr. 2297, p. 206, 208.

11 =nr. 1426, p. 214, 200.

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

i8 F ig . 64: 12 = nr. 1426, p. 214, 201.

F ig . 68:

i = n r. 2907, p. 219, 218.

i = n r. 2349, p. 2 15 , 2 1 4 .

F ig . 69:

i = n r.

F ig . 65:

2 = n r. 1004, p. 219, 2 ig .

3 = n r. 2356, p. 2 15 , 214.

3 = n r. 1 15 7 , p. 219, 21Q.

4 = nr. 2358, p. 215 , 214.

4 = n r . 2277, p. 219, 2 2 1 .

F ig . 75:

i = n r. 2063, p. 230, 230.

5 = nr. 2367, p. 215 , 214.

5 =nr. 2395, p. 219, 220.

F ig . 76:

i = n r. 2126, p. 233, 232.

F ig. 74:

i = n r . 2322, p. 228, 228. 2 = n r. 2354, P* 228> 2 2 7'

6 = n r. 2526, p. 219, 220.

2 = n r. 1448, p. 233, 232. i = n r. 1067, P- 2 3 4 > 2 35 -

i =nr.

3 17 , p. 220, 21g.

8 = n r. 2373, p. 215 , 215.

2 = nr.

368, p. 220, 2J9.

9 = nr. 2376, p. 2 15 , 215.

3 = n r. 1304, p. 220, 221.

3 = n r. 1447, p. 234, 2 3 5 .

i o = n r . 2376, p. 215 , 213,

4 = n r . 18 18 , p. 220, 221.

4 = n r.

11 = n r. 2370, p. 2 15 , 215.

5 = n r. 2087, p. 220, 2 2 j .

5 = n r.

501, p. 234, 233.

12 = nr. 2377, p. 2 15 , 21 s.

6 =nr. 2146, p. 220, 22j.

6 = n r.

855, p. 234, 234.

7 = n r. 2310, p. 220, 221.

7 = n r. 1026, p. 234, 2 3 5 .

7 = n r. 2369, p. 2 15 , 214.

F ig . 70:

13 = n r. 2384, p. 2 15 , 215.

F ig . 67:

i = nr. 112 6 , p. 227, 2 2 7 . 2 = n r . 1342, p. 227, 2 2 7 .

2 = n r. 2353, p. 2 15 , 2 1 4 .

6 = n r. 2368, p. 2 15 , 214.

F ig . 66:

F ig. 73:

7 7 , p. 219, 185.

5 13 , p. 220, 21g.

14 = n r. 2387, p. 2 15 , 2 1 5 .

F ig . 7 1 :

i = n r.

15 = n r. 2391, p. 2 15 , 216.

F ig . 72:

i = n r. 2469, p. 225, 226.

F ig . 77:

2 = n r. 1214 , p. 234, 235.

F ig. 78:

i = n r.

7 72 , p. 234, 234.

165, p. 236, 233.

2 = n r. i o n , p. 236, 2 3 5 .

16 = n r. 2399, p. 2 15 , 216.

2 =nr. 2383, p. 225, 224.

3 = n r. 1447, p. 236, 235.

17 = n r. 2406, p. 2 15 , 216.

3 = n r. 2383, p. 225, 224.

4 = n r.

i = n r. 2406, p. 2 1 7 , 216.

4 = nr. 2409, p. 225, 224.

5 = n r. 1369, p. 236, 2 3 5 .

2 = n r. 2412, p. 2 1 7 , 216.

5 = n r. 2904, p. 225, 226.

Fig*79~ 8o:i = nr. 186, p. 240, 240.

3 = nr. 24 17, p. 2 1 7 , 216.

6 = n r . 2905, p. 225, 226.

2 = nr.

322, p. 240, 240.

4 = n r. 2433, p. 2 17 , 2 17.

7 = n r. 2519, p. 225, 226.

3 = n r.

465, p. 240, 2 4 1 .

922, p. 236, 234.

5 = n r. 2441, p. 2 17 , 217 .

8 = n r. 2429, p. 225, 224.

4 = n r . 19 12, p. 240, 2 4 J.

6 = n r. 2442, p. 2 1 7 , 217.

9 =nr. 2469, p. 225, 226.

5 = n r.

83, p. 240, 240.

7 = n r. 2454, p. 2 1 7 , 217.

10 = n r. 2058, p. 225, 224.

6 = n r.

4 1 1, p. 240, 240.

8 = n r. 2476, p. 2 1 7 , 218.

11 = n r . 2082, p. 225, 224 .

7 = nr.

812, p. 240, 241.

i = n r. 2314, p. 218, 2 1 3 .

PREFACE

JTh r o u g h t h e d i s c o v e r y of the Iron Age settlement on the island of Helgö in Lake Mälaren, Sweden

has acquired a prehistoric monument which is of the greatest importance from the point of view of cultural history. The archaeological investigations at Helgö have now been in progress for seven years and an unusually large quantity of new and interesting material in the form both of finds and of building founda­ tions and graves has come to light. On this seemingly inexhaustible site there are still, however, many prehistoric remains which have not yet been dealt with by the investigators, and it will certainly be a con­ siderable time before the results can be pieced together to make a definitive picture of the whole. In the meantime I thought it appropriate, and indeed necessary, to take steps to make the important material available to scientific researchers in the form of reports and catalogues. In this way it has been possible to reproduce the impressions gained from the field observations in a more exact and detailed form. I hope also that it will serve to prevent the changes, confusions and other errors that tend to occur if too long a time elapses between investigation and publication. The present volume constitutes a presentation of the observations during the first three excavation seasons, i.e. the years 1954-1956, together with the catalogue of finds for the same period. The excavations of 1957 and 1958 will be presented in a second volume, and after that there are plans for a continuing series of annual reports until the archaeological investigation is concluded. Although in principle the material will thereby become available to a wider circle of researchers, it will probably be difficult to survey in the individual cases. It is therefore our hope to supplement this series as soon as possible with another in which the individual phenomena may be the subject of a more compre­ hensive scientific treatment in the form of special studies. Our plans for this are already far advanced. Here it is appropriate to express our profound gratitude to His Majesty King Gustaf VI Adolf, who has personally kept himself well informed about the work in progress and has given it his active encourage­ ment in several respects. His stimulating interest has been displayed not only in annual visits to the ex­ cavations and intensive studies of the material produced; his valuable and experienced support has also been expressed in other ways. On many occasions His Majesty has made available considerable sums for the purchase of land, for the engagement of labour, and for the arrangement and processing of the archaeo­ logical material. A considerable debt of gratitude is also due to the Board of the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, without whose generous financial assistance the work would have been considerably impeded. Most of the prehistoric remains extend over an area which has long been marked out in lots and is in the possession of different owners. Consequently it has been an important prerequisite for the carrying out of the archaeologi-

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

20

cal field investigation that the plots of land involved should be acquired by us. That this has been possible is due mainly to grants from the foundation referred to. In the area which contains the western building complex, acquisition of land was not necessary. The land there is owned by Messrs. Alf and Folke Jörgen­ sen, who have willingly made it available for all necessary archaeological investigations. I should like to express to these two gentlemen my appreciation of their kind cooperation. On repeated occasions the Board of the Berit Wallenberg Foundation, also, has made money available for the carrying out of the archaeological tasks. I should like to express my thanks for this and for the understanding and generosity which we have received from this quarter. However, the archaeological investigations would have been entirely impossible if assistance from the state had not been forthcoming from the very beginning. In each of the seven years during which the work has been in progress, Parliament has, on the proposal of the Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs and Educa­ tion, made funds available. I report this with all the greater satisfaction and gratitude as State appropria­ tions for investigations carried out for purposes of pure research are only too seldom to be counted upon. During the course of the work valuable assistance has been given by specialists in other fields. A special debt of gratitude is due to Dr Olof Arrhenius, who, in a purely honorary capacity, has carried out a large number of phosphate analyses and has in addition made an especially extensive series of analyses of iron both from Helgö itself and from other Swedish archaeological sites. Two eminent geologists, Professor Gösta Lundqvist and Dr Björn Järnefors, have on several occasions visited the excavation area to study the soil types and layer sequences, and I wish to express my indebted­ ness to them for this. The cost of printing this work has been met by grants from the Statens Humanistiska Forskningsråd and a debt of gratitude is due to this body, as well as to the Royal Academy of Letters, History and Anti­ quities for their readiness to include the work in one of their series of publications. The translation of the original manuscript, which presented an unusual number of difficulties, has been carried out in a devoted and meritorius manner by Mr. Richard Cox and Mrs. Gunilla Åkerström-Hougen. In the editing of the work, the editorial assistant of the Academy of Letters, Mrs. Ulla Behr, has been an indispensable collaborator, and the printers, Almqvist & Wicksells Tryckeri AB, have carried out their task with equal ability and interest. The photographs in the field are the work of Birgit Arrhenius, Harald Holmqvist, Per Lundström, Margareta and Arne Biörnstad and Olov Ekberg. The photographs of objects were made by Nils Lagergren, Harald Holmqvist and Marianne Bratt. The originals of the colour plates and all wash drawings in the text are by Harald Faith-Ell, the other drawings by Bengt Händel. T o all those mentioned I express my warm thanks. In the field work, as in the work of arrangement in the museum, a long series of archaeologists, many of them young, have taken part. They are mentioned here in alphabetical order and to each of them I ex­ press my thanks for their fine work: Birgit Arrhenius, Agapi Baudou, Lena Bergman, Harald Berg, Bir­ gitta Cariestam, Jean Cook, Yvonne Crossman, Gerhard Fingerlin, Valdemar Ginters, Harriet Goliath, U lf Hagberg, Harald Holmqvist, Margaretha Klockhoff, Kristina Lagerqvist, Agneta Lundström, Per Lundström, Irmelin Martens, Eva Mattsson, Sven Melin, Else Nordahl, Jutta Nordin, Viveka Rabe, Lilian Rundberg, Aina Rynell, Berthold Schmidt, Frauke Stein, Theodor Voigt. I am very glad that in this important undertaking the scientific direction of the work in the field and

PREFACE

21

of the processing of the finds was entrusted to Wilhelm Holmqvist, the head of the Iron Age Department at the Museum of National Antiquities, who was the first to see, at an early stage, the importance of this remarkable site. At the same time as I thank him for his most capable work, I also thank his colleagues at the Central Office of National Antiquities, K. A. Gustawsson and Sverker Janson, for their help in the or­ ganization of the field work and the acquisition of the land. Last but not least, I wish to express the great gratitude of myself and the whole institution to Mr. Allan Hammarlund; it was his loyal notification to the authorities of the fortunate discovery, first of the two spiral rings of gold and later of the unique bronze ladle, that led to the revealing of the outstandingly valuable prehistoric settlement on Helgö. Stockholm, Sept. i960. B engt Thor deman Director General of the Central Office and of the Museum of National Antiquities.

INTRODUCTION

A - b o u t 30 KILOMETRES to the west of Stockholm, in Lake Mälaren, there is a small island which is

now known as Lillön (the Little Island). It falls within the parish of Ekerö in the county of Uppland and is separated from the mainland of Ekerö by a heavily silted-up channel, the Norrsund. Another channel separates the island from the southern shore of the lake; this is the narrow Bockholmssund, which is now the main passage into the lake from the east. Fig. 1. Since 1954 work has been proceeding on the excavation of an Iron Age settlement situated in the eastern part of the island, Lurudden. These excavations are described in some detail in what follows.1 The object of the present article is to give a brief survey of the finds so far made, without anticipating the results of the continuing scientific study to which they are being subjected. The work of excavation has now been in progress for seven seasons and has so far been concentrated on a single group of buildings, comprising at least eight units. The foundations of one of these buildings measure about 40 x 10 metres and another is only slightly smaller. About 200 metres west of the first group of buildings is another, which so far has not been touched by the excavations but appears to be of similar dimensions; and some 200 metres to the east is a third group of about the same size or larger. Preliminary investigations have indicated that the surrounding land conceals a number of other prehistoric remains, although the character of these cannot as yet be determined. The material so far found in the excavations is exceptionally rich. In date, the finds are distributed fairly evenly over no fewer than six centuries— from about

a .d .

400 to the eleventh century. There is,

however, a certain over-representation of the centuries before the Viking era. The large quantity of objects discovered distinguishes the house sites at Lillön from anything of the kind previously known. Only the Viking trading centre of Birka can support a comparison, and that is situated only a few kilometres away.2 In kind, also, the finds at Lillön correspond in important respects with those found at Birka, inasmuch as a large proportion consists of imported objects, especially glass beakers and pottery. Another extensive category consists of objects connected with metalworking, such as crucibles, moulds, iron, half-finished 1 The following preliminary surveys concerning the excavations of the first few years have been published: W. Holmqvist, Die eisenzeitlichen Funde aus Lillön, Kirchspiel Ekerö, Uppland, Acta Archaeologica, Vol. XXV, 1954; id.yGårdsanläggningar från yngre järnåldern på Helgö (Lillön), Ekerö socken i Mälaren, Fornvännen, 1957; i d Fynden från Helgö, Fornvännen, 1957; id.t Grävningarna på Helgö i Mälaren, Viking, 1957-1958. 2 Up to the present there is only a catalogue concerning the Birka graves: H. Arbman, Birka I, Die Gräber I—II, Uppsala 1940-1943. The textiles are dealt with in A. Geijer, Birka III, Die Textilfunde, Uppsala 1938. — A general survey is to be found in H. Arbman, Birka, Sveriges äldsta handelsstad, Stockholm 1939. Regarding Birka’s trade see H. Arbman, Schweden und das karolingische Reich, Stockholm 1937.

INTRODUCTION

23

articles, slag etc. Thus everything indicates that, like Birka at a later date, Lillön was a centre for trade and handicrafts and in this respect occupied a special position in relation to the surrounding farming country. As already mentioned, Lillön forms part of the parish of Ekerö. A special circumstance concerning this parish is of great interest and will now be discussed. Until as recently as 1943 the parish of Ekerö also took in a small part of the area immediately south of the Bockholmssund channel and south-west of Lillön.1 Fig. 3. This arrangement, which to modern eyes seems somewhat strange, was revised in 1943 and the boundary now follows the water. Fig. 4. One of the reasons for the original boundary may perhaps be that at one time the whole of the parish of Ekerö belonged to the district of Svartlösa and thus to the county of Södermanland.2 Fig. 2. This was the case during the Middle Ages, and it was not until the sixteenth century that Ekerö was transferred to the the district of Färentuna in the county of Uppland.3 The date when Lillön is first definitely mentioned in a historical document is 1 January 1370.4 There it is not referred to by its later, very common place name but is called Helgön (The Holy Island); and it is by this name, which is thus of ancient origin, that we shall speak of it in this article. The document in question is a conveyance by which Ingeborg Nilsdotter and Bengt Nilsson (Oxenstierna) transfer the estate of Helgö in the parish of Ekerö, valued at 700 marks, to Bo Jonson Grip in settlement of a note of hand for 1000 marks. The amount had been borrowed by Ingeborg Nilsdotteris father, the Lord High Chancellor Nils Åsbjörnsson, and as it is known that the latter was likely to have been in financial dif­ ficulties in the i34o’s and 1350’$, it may be presumed that the loan took place during that period. Thus it is probable that the Helgö property was owned by Nils Åsbjörnsson in the middle of the fourteenth century. Support for this assumption seems to be given by a document of 1307, according to which the children of Åsbjörn Sixtensson by Ingeborg Ulfsdotter are to inherit a property called Helgö after her death.5 There is no doubt that this Åsbjörn Sixtensson was related to Nils Åsbjörnsson, and it is probable that it is Helgö in the parish of Ekerö which is referred to. It is, however, possible that the place was mentioned even earlier. In 1283 Magnus Ladulås held a court on Helgö, at which estates in Stockholm belonging to Bishop Anund of Strängnäs were exchanged for the manor of Nalavi in Närke.6 It is unlikely that the Helgö mentioned in this connection is any other than the place of that name in the parish of Ekerö. Finally, it is certainly the same place which is referred to in a mortgage deed of 1287.7 This document was issued by the lagman of Närke, Knut Mattsson, and addressed to the monastery of Sko. The security was the Helgö property. We shall not here concern ourselves closely with the later history of the Helgö property, as this has been

1 T h e new boundary was established by royal ordinance on the 19th of February 1943. T h e document in the Kammar­ kollegium, Stockholm. 2 See C . G . Styffe, Skandinavien under unionstiden, Stockholm 1911, p. 288. 3 See J. E. Almquist, Lagsagor och domsagor i Sverige, Stockholm 1954, p. 44. 4 See on this A . Forssell, Kaggeholm, bilder ur ett herresätes historia, Stockholm 1939, p. 13. Forssell’s work constitutes a detailed history of Lillön, or Helgö, from the time when the name first appears in written sources up to the present day. 5 See Bj. Beckman, T ill T o fta - och Ulfättemas äldre historia, Tierp 1957, pp. 29 ff. 6 See Beckman, op. cit. 7 See Beckman, op. cit.

Fig. i. Topographical map. The Map-Branche of the Ordnance Survey Dep. Scale 1:50.000.

24 E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G O

INTRODUCTION

25

dealt with in detail by another author.1 Attention may, however, be called to some general features which may be of importance in assessing the conditions prevailing in prehistoric times. First of all, it should be mentioned that in the middle of the sixteenth century the Helgö property was divided into a number of different parts. The western part of the island, called Vettersjö, and the eastern part, known as Bona, each contained two farmsteads. In addition there was a croft known as Helgötorp. At times these parts of Helgö had different owners. It was not until the iößo’s that any manor house was erected on Helgö and then it was in the western part, i.e. Vettersjö, that it was sited. It is also significant that the first manor houses in the parish of Ekerö as a whole date from the iÔ2o’s. Earlier the resident population there had consisted only of farmers and crofters. On this matter Forssell in his description of the history of Kaggeholm, i.e. Helgö, writes: “ In the parish of Ekerö it was a remarkable fact that at this period, to judge from the sheriff’s accounts of 1621, there was not a single freeholder living on his own farm. But, in addition to Crown tenants of different kinds, there were a number of tenants of various noble families. These facts no doubt indicate that owing to its good situation and its high fertility the land had long been found especially suitable as an investment for the surplus funds of the royal family and the nobility. From the industrious population of Ekerö or, as the parish was formerly called, Askanäs, these sections of the community derived a con­ siderable income in former times.” 2 The peculiar social structure of the area helps to explain why, although Helgö was in the very centre of historical events and although its soil was owned by some of the principal actors in those events, few memories of the past have been preserved in oral or written tradition. In the circumstances it is not sur­ prising that all remembrance of events which occurred before the Middle Ages— even, indeed, before the Viking era— should have faded into nothingness. The modern historian Forssell quoted above has made a number of reflections in this connection which may profitably be quoted at length, not least because they anticipate several of the ideas which have inspired the archaeologists during the excavations of recent years on Helgö. (Forssell’s work appeared in 1939, when the prehistoric remains now under discussion were still undiscovered.) On the eminence between Vettersjö and Bona modern archaeologists have observed the remains of a fortress. Who knows? Perhaps this fortress was still in usable condition when Bengt Nilsson (Oxen­ stierna) and Bo Jonsson Grip were the lords of the island. In that case, there would have been a strongpoint here commanding the important channel between Stockholm and Tälje and the whole of the wide Mälaren area. In this, perhaps, lies part of the explanation of the fact that the Helgö property was found so valuable, as, to judge from the contemporary documents mentioned above, it was considered to be. And perhaps the personal relations between the highly-placed owners of the island and the everyday life of the area were stronger than they became later on. But these personal relations lay so far back in the dim prehistoric era that every memory of them had disappeared when Master Andreas Taillard and Pastor Johannes Kolmodin wrote their annotations. The legends of the contribution made by the area and its history in the wider frame of national events seem to stop short of modern times. It is also in the nature of the case that, after the barrier against hostile attacks on the central part of the kingdom had been moved eastwards to the islands at the entrance to the Mälaren, the lines at Edsbröte should become superfluous and the role of the Ekerö population as vigilant watchers at the beacons in the west and east, or as a kind of Home Guard gathered round the fortress on Helgö, should no longer be called for.3 1 Forssell, op. cit. 2 Forssell, op. cit., p. 35. 3 Forssel, op. cit., pp. 36 f.

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

2Ô

Fig. 2. T h e boundary at Ekerö between the counties of Uppland and Södermanland during the Middle Ages.

On this passage the comment may be made that we have been able to locate two prehistoric fortresses on Helgö. Neither of them, however, is of any great importance and their value for defence purposes should not be overestimated. The history of the Helgö property in more recent times and especially during the period when it passed under the name of Kaggeholm shows that it usually shared the same owner with a number of other estates in the vicinity, such as Stafsund on Ekerö proper and Ormsäter, Oxelby and Talby in the parish of Salem south of the Bockholmssund.1 This arrangement was of obvious practical advantage inasmuch as it facilitated the administration of the property; but it may also have reflected older traditions from a time when the areas of land on either side of the two channels were more closely connected with one another than they later on became. Evidence of this is provided by the oldest document concerning the Helgö property, the conveyance of 1370 already referred to. This states that the property comprised the whole island with outlying farms on both shores (“ the ganzska ona mz allom them wtgangom, som theraf lighat hafwa, uppa badhin landin” ). The latter expression can only mean that the property comprised part of the mainland of Ekerö and part of the southern shore of Lake Mälaren. This, perhaps, is the reason why the parish boundaries in this particular area have such a strange alignment. As mentioned earlier, up to the 1940*8 the parish of Ekerö took in part of the southern mainland, although the parish was in the district of Färentuna in Uppland. Moreover, it should be remembered that previously, during the Middle Ages, the parish had been in the district of Svartlösa in Södermanland. It is hardly possible to explain the circumstances described above as being due to mere chance. It is far more likely that they are rooted in an old usage which had proved difficult to break with, and which was preserved until our own days. Nor probably, is it too bold to see in this usage a harking back to circumstances which had prevailed in times long past. There is no real reason why the ownership of the land on Helgö in prehistoric times should have been substantially different from what it was in the Middle Ages. On the contrary it appears rather that the division referred to would have been expecially natural and sensible during the earlier period, as the author hopes to show in what follows. 1 Forssell, op. cit.y pp. 42 f., 175 ff. and passim.

INTRODUCTION

Fig. 3-

27

Fig. 4.

F ig. 3. T h e boundary at Ekcrö between the counties of Uppland and Södermanland in later times. Fig. 4. T h e boundary at Ekerö between the counties of Uppland and Södermanland since 1943.

The very fact that during the late Iron Age the eastern part of Helgö was divided into at least three and probably more large farmsteads situated side by side indicates that the property or properties must have extended over the two channels and also have included land on the mainland areas to the south and north respectively.1 Further, when one knows that the archaeological investigations so far carried out on Helgö have revealed an important centre of trade and handicrafts, the channels too are seen to occupy a prominent place in the picture. It was through these channels that all the traffic from the east passed into the interior of the populous Mälaren valley. The strategic situation of Helgö meant that the channels could be blocked or kept open by those in command of the island. The lords of Helgö could exact tolls or other levies at will, and we can be practically certain that they made use of this power. For the merchant dynasty on Helgö with its far-flung international trade relations and for those who carried on its highly diversified handicrafts, it must have been a vital interest to control the trade routes and to keep competitors at a respectful distance. There was, however, another entry into Lake Mälaren which was of equal importance with the two east-west channels already mentioned. This was the north-south passage which passed through what is now Södertälje. To make the barrier at Helgö effective it must certainly have been necessary to control this waterway. In the light of this situation it is easier to understand why the boundaries in the Middle Ages and later in this area should have been drawn in such a way that the Helgö property extended to 1

T his of course is an assumption of which the correctness can be contested, and it is based entirely on considerations of

probability. Briefly these are as follows: the finds made in the group of buildings now being excavated indicate that the buildings belonged to a chieftain. Only about 200 metres east and west respectively are two other groups of buildings of apparently similar extent. All these are in the eastern part of Helgö. In Lars K agg’s time the manorial buildings were on the western part of the island with two farmsteads, and moreover Bona with two farms in the eastern part of the island formed part of the manor. Neither of these latter farms, which were intended for only one farmer, coming under the manor, can be compared with a chieftain’s estate. Still less can they be compared with three chieftains* estates. In the seventeenth century the manor covered the whole island, and yet formed only a part of Lars K a gg’s holding of land.

28

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

both shores. Undoubtedly this has an inner significance which, while at present it cannot be understood in detail, nevertheless makes it easier for us to distinguish the features and the functions of the prehistoric Helgö settlement. In spite of the complete absence of written sources we can glimpse Helgö’s central role in trade matters and the forces with which its position was maintained. We can see, too, that this trade centre was chosen with special regard to its strategic position— its good connections by water with all parts of the lake and the possibilities it offered of effectively supervising and blocking the channels vital for commerce. Helgö with its immediate surroundings is thus seen to occupy a key position, both economically and politically, right in the heart of Svealand. Against this background the later parish boundary can be seen as a last vestige of this prehistoric power area centred around Helgö. Perhaps, too, it is here that the explanation lies of the fact that in earlier times Ekerö parish, with Helgö, formed part of the Svartlösa District of Södermanland and did not belong to Uppland as was later the case. Svartlösa District, or Övra Tör, as it was called in earlier times, comprised not only Ekerö but also the parishes of Brännkyrka, Huddinge, Grödinge, Botkyrka, Salem and Öster Tälje.1 Thus the district embraced the whole of the south shore of Lake Mälaren from the islands at Stockholm to the Södertälje channel. Taking a wider geographical area, we can discern here a sphere of influence which supplemented the power area at Helgö already mentioned and obviously had the same centre. In both cases it is evident that the control of waterways was of vital importance. Seen in such a connection, the parish and district boundaries suddenly acquire a deeper significance, and it is not impossible, but on the contrary very probable, that they can be traced to circumstances prevailing far back in prehistoric times. The boundaries must have been dictated by political considera­ tions and were so drawn as to include an economic power bloc for mutual protection and mutual benefit. What is remarkable is that we can thus trace a political division of this kind several centuries before the advent of written sources, even indeed before the Viking era, since Helgö flourished during the period A.D.

400-800. Thus archaeological evidence is in a position to render an important contribution to the

long-standing and lively debate of historians concerning the political division of Sweden in early times, a debate which has hitherto relied for its arguments mainly on written sources of relatively late date— the thirteenth century onwards.2 The new light thus provided also changes to some extent the aspect presented by the earliest Sweden— Svecia or Svethiudth, the heartland of the Svea people. Some authorities have maintanined that originally this area only comprised three populations north of Lake Mälaren, i.e. those of Tiundaland, Attundaland and Fjädrundaland.3 Here we have found that the southern shore of Lake Mälaren was of at least equal importance with the northern shore. In fact this is only what one would expect. It was the archipelago of Stockholm and the extensive archipelago of Mälaren itself which constituted the obvious heartland for the Svea people. In that area communications between islands, holms and skerries were easy, and the 1 Styffe, op. cit., p. 288. 2 In the literature of historical research there is a great deal of material concerning such questions, and it is of course not possible here to pronounce on all of this. I therefore confine myself to citing a few works: R. Tengberg, O m den äldsta terri­ toriella indelningen och förvaltningen i Sverige, Stockholm 1875; S. Tunberg, Studier rörande Skandinaviens äldsta politiska indelning, Uppsala 1911; G . Hafström, Ledung och marklandsindelning, Uppsala 1949; id.} Sockenindelningens ursprung, Historiska studier tillägnade Nils Ahnlund 1949; id.y Sockenindelningen i Uppland, Upplands kyrkor, D el III, Uppsala 1951; and references cited in these works. 3 Cf. Tengberg: see also E. Hjärne, Svethiudh, Namn och Bygd 1952, pp. 91 ff.; A. Schück, Svithjod och folklanden, Historiska studier tillägnade Nils Ahnlund 1949, pp. 29 ff.

INTRO DU CTION

29

mainland districts, with their immediate hinterlands, benefited from the advantages arising from this. Both spiritual and material culture were promoted by the easy and active contacts, and as a result the most populous area in prehistoric Sweden was created in the Mälaren valley. From the political point of view the Mälaren area was a single, undivided power. Evidence of this is also furnished by the many runestones found in the Mälaren valley.1 In style and content they are closely similar to one another. Nor is that all. The names which appear on these runestones enable us to conclude that people living north and south of Mälaren were linked by family ties. In this Mälaren region Helgö occupied a central position during the late Iron Age, or to be more precise during the period

a .d .

400-800, a position closely corresponding to that of Birka during the Viking era,

i.e. the ninth and tenth centuries. This is witnessed by the archaeological investigations and the objects found in the course of these. Hitherto, with the exception of Birka, no similar settlement has been found in Sweden, though this does not of course mean that more may not be found in the future.2 As a centre of trade and handicrafts Helgö had to serve a numerous and comparatively wealthy clientèle, and it is probable that it was from this centre that the extensive trade with foreign parts was directed which brought to the Mälaren region many objects of foreign manufacture— glass, pottery and metalware.3 Unfortunately it is not possible to determine how the trade was organized in detail. Indeed, we cannot even be sure what products the Mälaren folk supplied in exchange for the articles coming from abroad. On the other hand, we may venture to assume that trade was more or less centrally organized and that it was not a case of each inhabitant being his own merchant. In any case it is reasonable to suppose that the long-distance trade, at least, was in the hands of a few persons. Thus in the case of Birka it is quite evident that there was a permanent trading organization and that the king of the Svear, either personally or through his prefect, was able to exercise a certain measure of control.4 It is a reasonable assumption that conditions were not essentially different during the centuries immediately preceding the Birka era. In other words, it may be supposed that Helgö, as a trade centre and a strategic area, was to some extent under the direct control of the king of the Svear. And although the trade was not state-organized in the 1 See S. B. F. Jansson, Runinskrifter, En bok om Mälarlandskapen, Stockholm 1953, pp. 77 ff. 2 Unfortunately archaeological research concerning the Iron A ge has hitherto been directed less to dwellingplaces than to the excavation of graves. T his is due partly to the fact that the dwelling-places have been difficult to locate in the terrain and partly to the fact that in the comparatively few cases when it has been possible to undertake an investigation the yields have been too poor to engourage researchers to make further efforts. Exceptions to this are the monumental remains of buildings on Gotland and Öland which have been exhaustively studied. T h e latest presentation of this material (Vallhagar, A Migration

Period Settlement on Gotland, ed. M . Stenberger, Stockholm-Copenhagen 1955) shows that this too is rather meagre and provides little scope for far-reaching conclusions. T h e number of Iron Age buildings on the Swedish mainland is very small and those which exist have not been investigated to any considerable extent. 3 It has been shown by the general inventory of Swedish prehistoric monuments which is now being made that the Mälaren provinces are by far the richest in this respect in the whole of Sweden. As an example it may be mentioned that the Central Office of National Antiquities has listed about 30,000 prehistoric remains in Gotland and no fewer than 125,000 in Uppland, i.e. more than four times as many. In addition, it may be mentioned that Södermanland has almost as many prehistoric remains as Uppland. M ost of these belong to the later phases of the prehistoric era, and there is consequently reason to believe that at that period the Mälaren valley was a populous area. 4 Data on this are to be found in Vita Anskarii. These have been much discussed in the literature and interpreted in various ways. T h e whole of the earlier discussion is summarized and commented on in A. Schiick, Studier rörande det svenska stads­ väsendets uppkomst och äldsta utveckling, Uppsala 1926, with many references. A popular survey has been given by H. A rbman, Birka, Sveriges äldsta handelsstad, Stockholm 1939, Birka’s position as an international trading centre is dealt with in H. Arbman,

Schweden und das Karolingische Reich, Stockholm 1937, and id., Svear i österviking, Falun 1955. T h e

literature on the international position of Birka has grown steadily since Schück’s survey of 1926 was published. See inter alia

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

30

modern sense there can be no doubt that it largely existed to serve the interests of the king and his im­ mediate vassals.*1 The feature which may perhaps appear most surprising when one first hears of the central role played by Helgö is that there should have been a well-organized centre for local and international trade in the Mälaren valley even before the Viking era, operating in much the same way as Birka functioned in a later epoch. And the circumstance is all the more remarkable in that it is difficult to cite any direct parallels in the whole of northern Europe. However it must be remembered that Birka, too, has been a mystery to the historians for many years; yet it was founded much later than Helgö and there are far more parallels to point to. Now, however, thanks to the discovery of Helgö, it would seem that the obscurity surrounding many of these questions can now be lightened: Helgö helps to explain Birka, and Birka helps to explain Helgö. In order to throw light on the new situation it is, however, necessary to make a brief survey of the contacts of the Mälaren valley with other areas during the period which concerns us, i.e.

a .d .

400-800.

In an extremely interesting and erudite study on the historical relation between the Migration Period and the Vendel Period, Åberg examines the cultural and commercial relations between different parts of Sweden and their neighbours during the epoch with which we are here concerned.2 Åberg considers that in the fifth and sixth centuries the north of Sweden— the migration realm of Norrland— was of much greater importance from the material point of view, the Mälaren region then occupying a rather humble place in commercial matters.3 He regards this predominance of Norrland as being due to the active contacts westwards with Norway and the rich material culture of that time in the North Sea basin, whereas the traditional relations between the Baltic region and the Continent were thrown into disorder by the Hun invasion and its consequences. But in Åberg’s opinion the change in the centre of gravity and the new routes of trade did not only result in a material advance for Norrland: in addition the Norrland region showed an expansive capacity partly by undertaking intensive penetration of the territories of the other side of the G ulf of Bothnia, i.e. in the first place Österbotten in Finland.4 The interests and influence of the people of the north also extended further south towards the territory of the Svea tribe and above all towards Gotland. Åberg considers that it was not until about

a .d .

600 that the primacy of Norrland

began to weaken and was succeded by an equally evident predominance on the part of the Mälaren region.5 The influence of the Mälaren peoples was strongly felt in Finland in the same areas as the earlier influence of Norrland, but now there was in addition an intensive penetration of the south-western parts of the B. Rohwer, Der friesische Handel im frühen Mittelalter (Kiel-Dissert.) Leipzig 1937; H. Planitz, Frühgeschichte der deutschen Stadt, Savigny Zeitschr. 1943; E. Ennen, Frühgeschichte der europäischen Stadt, Bonn 1953; H. Jankuhn, Haithabu, 3. Auflage, Neumünster 1956; id .t D ie frühmittelalterlichen Seehandelsplätze im Nord- und Ostseeraum, Vorträge und Forschungen, Bd. IV; W . Vogel, Handelsverkehr, Städtewesen und Staatenbildung in Nordeuropa im frühen Mittelalter, Zeitschr. d. Ges. für Erdkunde zu Berlin, 1931; H. Jankuhn, Der Beitrag der Archäologie zur Erforschung des frühmittelalterlichen Städte­ wesens im 7 .-1 1 . Jahrhundert, Frühe Burgen und Städte, Berlin 1954. 1 In this connection we might to some extent make a comparison with the conditions in Birka and in settlements on the Continent contemporary with Birka (see references in the preceding note). In all cases the trading place exists under the aegis of a temporal or an ecclesiastic dignitary. In the absence of direct information on the situation at Helgö in this respect, it seems more natural to assume that it was similar to the other settlements than that it was essentially different. Am ong other things one can in many respects compare the aristocracy which so evidently characterizes the late Iron Age in the Mälaren valley (of which more is said below) to the continental feudal lords during the Merovingian and Carolingian periods. 2 N . Åberg, Den historiska relationen mellan folkvandringstid och vendeltid, Stockholm 1953. 3 Åberg, op. cit.y pp. 34 ff. 4 Åberg, op. cit.y pp. 79 ff. 5 Åberg, op. cit.y pp. 108 ff. See also E. Kivikoski, Svenskar i österled under 500-talet, Finskt Museum 1939, pp. 1 ff.

INTRO DUCTION

3I

country. The rapid consolidation of power and expansion of the Svea realm from the beginning of the seventh century is here even more clearly illustrated than in the case of the Norrland realm. Thus far Åberg, whose study is of exceptional value and forms a foundation for all subsequent discus­ sion on the subject. He has, however, been tempted into making certain overstatements, and with Helgö as our starting point we shall try to correct some of these. Thus, for example, the Mälaren region was not quite so poor during the fifth and sixth centuries as Aberg claims. On the contrary, it should be emphasized that, especially during the latter part of the period, that is to say the sixth century, the region was richer than any other province in Sweden, not even except­ ing Gotland. The finds on Helgö from the fifth and sixth centuries are very numerous, so much so indeed as to show that the place already enjoyed great prosperity during these two centuries.1 And if we look a little further afield in the Mälaren valley the impression of wealth becomes overwhelming. Thus on Helgö itself we have found the largest treasure trove of gold solidi> 21 pieces, hitherto discovered on the Swedish mainland, and at Tuna in the parish of Västerljung on the Södertälje channel what is by far the greatest gold treasure from the migration period has come to light.2 Another gold treasure is from Söderby in Uppland.3 The number of graves with partly representative contents has greatly increased during the last few years, and consequently the Mälaren valley deserves a prominent place on this count also.4 Here the Ottar’s Mound at Vendel stands out as the first and most eloquent monument.5 When we reach a slightly later period— the latter part of the sixth century, the seventh century and onwards— the impression of wealth is even more striking, as Åberg also notes.6 To this epoch must be assigned the many so-called “ gold” graves which mark the introductory phase of the expansion of the Svea realm and are grouped north, south and west of Lake Mälaren in a way which clearly indicates that the Mälaren region itself was the nucleus of the Svea kingdom. Two of the so-called Kings’ Mounds at Uppsala belong to the category of these “ gold” graves.7 At Skrävsta in Botkyrka parish, Södermanland, another “ gold” grave was found which contained among other items a sword pommel with gold cloisonné of fine quality.8 A grave with a debased imitation of a gold solidus of Theodosius II was discovered at Tuna on the island of Selaön in Södermanland, and there are two “ gold” graves of a somewhat later date at Norsborg in 1 A considerable part of the material will first be reported in the next two volumes of the publication of the excavations in connection with the report on foundations 3 and 4. 2 O. Janse, L e travail de Tor en Suède a Tépoque mérovingienne, Orléans 1922, p. 67. T h e treasure of coins contains four pieces of Theodosius II, one of Marcianus, two of Léon I, eleven of Zenon, two of Anastasius, one piece which is uncertain, and in addition two gold rings. —

T h e great gold treasure from Tuna,

Västerljung parish, Södermanland, is dealt with in

inter alia S. Lindqvist, Ven delkul turens ålder och ursprung, Stockholm 1926, pp. 65 ff. 8

See Janse, op. cit.y pp. 86 f.; H. Öberg, Guldbrakteatema från Nordens folkvandringstid, Uppsala 1942, pp. 127, 203;

M . Mackeprang, D e nordiske guldbrakteater, Aarhus 1952, pp. 35, 45, 75, 77 and 173. 4 Am ong the finds from the valley of the Lake Mälaren in recent years the following can be mentioned: Spelvik parish, Södermanland, grave-find, S.H .M . inv. 23243; Ösmo parish, Södermanland, cemetery, S.H .M . inv. 26015; Bromma parish, Uppland, goldbracteate and cemetery, S.H .M . inv. 22695, 23300; Söderby-Karl parish, Uppland, drinkinghorn, S .H .M . inv. 24298; T ä b y parish, Uppland, cemetery, S.H .M . inv. 25915, 25917, 25849; Östra Ryd parish, Uppland, cemetery, S .H .M . inv. 25848; Ekerö parish, Uppland, cemetery, S.H .M . inv. 25990; Norrsunda parish, Uppland, cemetery, S.H .M .

inv.

26042; Järfälla parish, Uppland, cemetery, S.H .M . inv. 26024, 26194; Tortuna parish, Västmanland, grave-find, S.H .M . inv. 25334; Badelunda parish, Västmanland, cemetery, Västerås museum. 5 See S. Lindqvist, Uppsala högar och Ottarshogen, Stockholm 1936, pp. 37 ff. 6 Aberg, op. cit.y p. 108. 7 See Lindqvist, op. cit.ypp. 162 ff. 8 See Aberg, op. cit.ypp. 112 ff. Cf. also H. Arbman, Verroterie cloisonnée et filigrane, Medd. från Lunds univ. hist. museum, Lund 1950, p. 143; R. L . S. Bruce-Mitford, T h e Sutton Hoo ship-burial, Proceedings of the Suffolk Inst, of Arch. 1949, p. 53.

32

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

Botkyrka parish, Södermanland. 1 Two remarkable graves containing gold and cloisonné objects have been uncovered in Västmanland at Tibbie (Badelunda parish) and Lejde (Skultuna parish) .2 Two other graves with gold finger rings, goldthread, gold bead, glassbeakers etc. are recently discovered in Trosa-Vagnhärad, Södermanland, and a chamber grave from the sixth century

a .d

.

with several gold

objects was excavated 1959 in Lovö, Lake Mälaren, not far from Helgö. — Another grave with important contents— among other things gold- and silverfiligrée— from the same period or a little later was excavated in Sorunda, Södermanland. No such accumulation of more or less contemporaneous graves with rich contents can be discerned in any other part of Sweden, and if we add the ship-burials with their princely treasures at Ulltuna, Vals­ gärde and Vendel, etc., it becomes clear that the Mälaren region developed into a powerful realm with a wealthy aristocracy.3 It also becomes obvious that the aristocracy and the wealth were not confined to Uppland but were shared by all parts of the Mälaren basin. It is only in this latter connection that it is possible to arrive at true conception of Helgö’s central position and the commercial importance which the place had thereby acquired. It is very probable that as early as the fifth century the inhabitants of this central trading area had sought to make contacts northwards by way of the traditional trade route through the Fyris river through Uppsala and that in this way they had taken part in the fruitful intercourse between central Norrland and Norway. Among other items, two thick, deeply engraved glass goblets found on Helgö which have counterparts in Norwegian imported objects of the fifth century may point to this.4 When later on the trade of Norrland in Österbotten, Finland, passed increasingly into the hands of the Svea folk it may be presumed that Helgö played an active part. And when the increased penetration of Österbotten and south­ western Finland began during the latter part of the sixth century, possibly to the accompaniment of Swedish settlement, it was the Mälaren region, with Helgö at its centre, from which it was directed. A l­ though the leading part played by Helgö will doubtless be self-evident in such a connection and there is no need to present special evidence of it, it may nevertheless be desirable to make a few comments. 1 Concerning these graves, see Åberg, op. cit.ypp. 109 f. — T h e account of the gold graves of Norsborg has not yet been published. T h e material is at the Stockholm C ity Museum. One of the graves, 10: 6, was situated with six others in a burial mound of considerable size, 40 metres in diameter and six metres high, the second, No. 21, in a scarcely distinguishable stone setting. Grave 10. 6 contained a quantity of gold threads and goldstrips with ovals in repoussé and granulated edges, gold frag­ ments with stamped decoration, gilded silverfoil with repoussé and stamped decoration etc. Professor Nerman has kindly told that he considers it probable that the gold fragments come mfro a sword with a gold hilt. Grave 21 contained, among other items, a number of plaited and twisted gold threads and a pendant of bronze with two figures of women standing face to face, closely similar to the representations on the many figured goldfoils from Helgö. 2 These graves, also, have not been dealt with exhaustively, but they are mentioned briefly by Åberg in op. cit.ypp. h i f. C f. also Arbman, op. cit.} pp. 148 and 162, and passim. All the graves here referred to are cremation graves. 3 Hj. S to lp e-T . J. Arne, Gravfältet vid Vendel, Stockholm 1912; T . J. A m e, Das Bootgräberfeld von Tuna in Alsike, Stockholm 1934» G . Arwidsson, Valsgärde 6 , Uppsala 1942; id.y Valsgärde 8, Uppsala 1954; id.y Den sjunde båtgraven vid Valsgärde, Forn vännen 1935. Concerning these magnificent goblets which often have “ Uberfang” , see G . Ekholm, Orientalische Gläser in Skandinavien während der Kaiser — und frühen Merowingerzeit, Acta Archaeologica 1956, p. 56 and A bb. 6, 1; S. Lindqvist, Uppsala högar och Ottarshögen, Stockholm 1936, pp. 228 f.; A . Björn, Bronsekar og glasbegre fra folkevandringstiden i Norge, K . Norske vidensk. selsk. skrifter 1929 (Trondheim); id.f En vestnorsk grav med romerske glasbaegere, Bergens museums aarbok 1922—23. Several fragments of green or brownish glass beakers with rather thick wall and infused threads in narrow vertical coils have also been found on Helgö. Like the former they have several counterparts in Norwegian material as well as in Gotland. In this case it is probably a case of importation via the northern route. See Bjørn, op. cit.ypp. 32 ff.; B. Nerman, D ie Völkerwanderungszeit Gotlands, Stockholm i935> PP* 20 f. Cf. also R. Chambon—H. Arbman, Deux fours à verre d ’époque mérovingienne å M acquenoise (Belgique), M edd. fr. Lunds univ. hist. museum 1952.

33

INTRO DU CTION

Some of the leading types of jewellery of Central Swedish origin which are also found in the Finnish areas mentioned are the bronze fibula of so-called Husby type, and the small, simple equal-armed bronze brooches.1 Articles of both these types have been found on Helgö. A mould has also been found there for the serpentine brooches, originally made in Central Sweden, which came to be used so frequently in Finland.2This shows that such brooches were produced on Helgö. — Some rich chieftains’ graves in Fin­ land, dating from the seventh and eighth centuries, contained elaborately decorated swords, the ornamenta­ tion of which has several counterparts in the Mälaren provinces.3 A sword with similar ornamentation has been found on Helgö, and in addition a mould which was probably used in the making of such a sword has been discovered there.4 There is thus every reason to ascribe importance to the part played by Helgö in the economic penetration to the east and the commercial invasion of south-eastern Finland. But that is not all. In the southern and eastern coastal districts of the Baltic Sea prehistoric objects of Central Swedish or Gotlandic origin have been discovered in several places. Of course, these may have turned up in their new surroundings as a natural result of normal trade relations or have been brought there by ordinary travellers: one should not forget that then, as in much later days, water was a connecting and not a separat­ ing element. On the other hand, there are limits to the applicability of this dictum: the Baltic, after all, was a very wide sea. Thus when we find large accumulations of Swedish objects on the Baltic side we must look for another explanation. A place which particularly calls for our attention in this connection is Grobin, near Lepaya in Latvia.5 Nerman, who has carried on extensive archaeological investigations in that place, states that it was a community of urban character, populated by Svear and Gotlanders. A large number of graves have been investigated, many of them with rich and characteristic contents. Broadly speaking, they are concentrated in the period extending from the middle of the seventh century to about

A.D.

800, showing that this was

Grobin’s heyday. Unfortunately the settlement area itself has not been investigated and it is therefore not possible to form any idea of its true character. So far as can be judged, however, it constituted a kind of enclave in relation to the surrounding countryside. As regards its function, there are several pos­ sibilities: Grobin may have been a Swedish strong-point on the Baltic coast, a colonization area, a trading centre, or a combination of all these. In any case, it bears witness to a Swedish penetration of the Baltic basin, a penetration which was probably quite intensive during the seventh and eighth centuries. For the establishment of a settlement of the size of Grobin must have been called for considerable economic and organizational resources, and the maintenance of the position achieved must have necessitated lively contacts which in their turn led to a thriving trade. 1 In Åberg, op. cit., pp. 127 ff., there is an exhaustive account of these finds. Cf. also pp. 61 ff. See also Aberg’s study of clasps (op. cit., pp. 48 ff.). Since the appearance of Aberg’s work the material in the Mälaren valley has grown considerably larger, especially as regards clasps and fibulae. Cf. note 4, p. 31. 2 See K . Stjema, Bornholms befolkning under järnåldern, Antikv. tidskr. för Sverige X V I I I , Stockholm 1908, p. 157 fr.; N . Cleve, Finländska fornsaksformer under järnåldern, Finskt Museum X X X I V 1927, pp. 1 ff.: Åberg, op. cit., pp. 162 ff. 3 See H. Salmo, D ie Waffen der Merowingerzeit in Finnland, Helsingfors 1938; id., Ein Reitergrab der Merowingerzeit auf dem Pappilanmäki im Kirchspiel Eura, Suomen Museo X L V I I 1940; A . Hackman, Das Brandgräberfeld von Pukkila in Isokyrö, Finska fornminnesföreningens Tidskrift Bd. 41, Helsingfors 1938. 4 These finds will be reported in a future section of the publication on the excavations. 5 See B. Nerman, Grobin—Seeburg, Ausgrabungen und Funde, Uppsala 1958; Cf. also id., Die Verbindungen zwischen Skandinavien und dem Ostbaltikum in der jüngeren Eisenzeit, Stockholm 1929.

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

34

The growth of trading by the Svear in the Baltic region and the Gulf of Bothnia seems to have gone hand in hand with a political expansion of the Svea empire. While it is not yet possible to follow this historical process in detail, several features of it can be clearly distinguished. For example, one can glimpse behind the 4‘gold' ’ graves and the rich ship burials of Uppland the contours of an aristocracy living in conditions of considerable prosperity. In this connection Helgö, too, forms an important element. Like Grobin, Helgö occupied a special position in relation to the surrounding countryside; and in Helgö’s case it can be said with certainty that it was trade and handicrafts to which the settlement owed its special character. Thus we have here, first, a trade centre in the heartland of the Svea realm, Helgö, and, second, one on its periphery, Grobin; and it may be presumed not only that these two centres were in close contact with each other but also that Helgö was the more active and also the leading party. Long before Grobin came into existence, international trade on a large scale was conducted on Helgö, and when during the seventh century the expansive trade policy began to leave more obvious traces the inhabitants of Helgö had an abundant experience to build on. I do not propose to give here examples to illustrate this trade since the material presented, together with that which will be described later, would seem to make it unnecessary to embark on exhaustive discussion. It may perhaps be sufficient merely to refer to the great quantity of imported glass vessels, among which there are many which probably date from before

a .d .

650, imported pottery, bronze vessels, etc. All these things are incontrovertible evidence

of Helgö’s early emergence as a commercial centre and a centre for foreign trade. There is nothing to indicate that the initiative for all this activity came from outside. On Helgö the foreign objects are not so prominent as on Birka, where they have led certain scholars to regard that island as a Frisian trading colony.1 On Helgö, in spite of the foreign element which admittedly exists, the whole impression given is that of a genuinely Nordic settlement. With regard to the routes used for the long-distance trade to the Continent and to England we have unfortunately little information so far as the pre-Viking era, i.e. before the ninth century, is concerned.2 At the same time, the immensely rich material in the Scandinavian countries, in England and on the Continent provides the most obvious evidence of close contact between the countries, a contact which can be traced without a break from the fourth century

a .d .

onwards for many centuries. Regarding this

it would be possible to make a lengthy catalogue, century by century, but it will be enough to recall the many similar forms of weapons and jewels, the goldsmiths’ techniques and artistic styles, etc.; in addition to this there is the evidence from historical sources, meagre though this is. In the discussion of these questions there has often been a tendency to overlook the larger context and instead to try to relate the historical sequence to the evidence of some isolated phenomenon.3 Thus it would seem to be futile to search for Scandinavian prehistoric objects on the Continent in an attempt to prove the Scandinavian contacts there, when innumerable finds in the Scandinavian countries can show objects imported from the Continent. 1 See K . Stjema, Lund och Birka, Historisk tidskrift för Skåneland 1909; Cf. also E. Wadstein, Birka och bjärköarett, Namn och bygd 1914. C f., however, the divergent opinions which have been put forward and are summarized in A . Schück, Studier rörande det svenska stadsväsendets uppkomst och äldsta utveckling, Stockholm 1926. 2 See G . Arwidsson, Vendelstile, Email und Glas, Uppsala 1942. C f. also H. Jankuhn, D ie frühmittelalterlichen Seehan­ delsplätze im Nord- und Ostseeraum, Vorträge und Forschungen, Bd. IV. 3 See Arwidsson, op. cit., p. 103. C f. also M . Mackeprang, D e nordiske guldbrakteater, Aarhus 1952, pp. 80 ff.; B. Rohwer, Der friesische Handel im frühen Mittelalter (Kiel-Dissert.) Leipzig 1937, p. 4; N. Aberg, Brakteater från folkvandringstid, F o m vännen 1940, p. 105.

INTRODUCTION

35

Undoubtedly the northern route via central Norrland to Norway was an important trade route during the fifth and sixth centuries. This route opened up the whole North Sea area, and in that region extremely active relations both with England and with the Continent were maintained. O f this imported glass and bronze vessels as well as domestic forms of jewellery and ornaments with animal motifs provide sufficient evidence.1 But the Mälaren valley was not merely a passive area in the development of this northern trade; it shared in, and perhaps even took an active part in the process.2 Southern Scandinavia, too, was not entirely excluded from the North Sea area, and thus the Mälaren basin received a number of cultural products by way of Jutland and western Sweden. Then there was the old route which led by way of the German rivers Weichsel and Oder southwards towards Hungary and south-eastern Europe. After the tempestuous advances of the Huns these contacts were resumed and there are clear traces of them on the large islands in the Baltic, viz. Gotland, Öland and Bornholm.3 The active connections between the Baltic region and the Masurian region, East Prussia and the lower Danube area can be seen to be a relationship of mutual giving and receiving. Among other things, it is probable that it was by this route that most of the abundant stream of gold coins, of which Öland and Gotland gained such a generous portion, reached northern Europe.4 But in this respect also, the Mälaren region was by no means outside the sphere of interest. This is shown by the fact that, as already mentioned, it was precisely on Helgö, that the largest treasure trove of gold coins ever found on the Swedish mainland was discovered; and the large gold treasure from Västerljung can certainly be thought of as being due wholly or partly to the flow of gold from the south-east.5 Moreover, among the objects found on Helgö is a small gold-coated fibula, unusual in shape, but decorated with a beautiful head of a bird with a curved beak.6 This object was probably made on Helgö, and the style of the workmanship is strongly reminiscent of the magnificent drinking-horns from Söderby-Karl in Uppland.7 Whether the latter, like the fibula, should be dated to the fifth or the sixth century— the latter being the more probable— is a question we need not go into here, but it is obvious that the bird’s heads with the curved beaks and gold-leaf coating are related precisely to the south-eastern cultural spheres from which the stream of gold coins emanated. The material in the southern Baltic region, i.e. on Gotland, Öland, Born­ holm and in Skåne, can also show a number of parallels, especially with the bird’s heads.8 We thus make the unexpected observation that during the fifth and sixth centuries the Mälaren valley lay, so to speak, between two great commercial spheres, a northern market and a southern market, and that at first it may have played a subordinate role. It was perhaps precisely this situation, however, which 1 See especially A . Bjørn, Bronsekar og glasbegre fra folkevandringstiden i Norge, K gl Norske Vidensk. Selsk. skrifter, Trondheim 1929. Cf. also B. Hougen, Snartemofunnene, Norske oldfunn V I I Oslo 1935, pp. 28 ff.; W. Slomann, Medelpad og Jämtland i eldre jernalder, Bergens museums årbok 1948, pp. 19 ff. 2 C f. above, p. 30. 3 Åberg, op. cit., pp. 84 ff; H. Arbman, Stildrag i folkvandringstidens konst, Fomvännen 1945; O. Klindt-Jensen, Bornholm i folkevandringstiden, København 1957, pp. 142 ff. 4 See S. Bolin, Fynden av romerska mynt i det fria Germanien, Lund 1926; M . Stenberger, Öland under äldre järnåldern, Stockholm 1933, pp. 204 ff.; B. Nerman, Die Völkerwanderungszeit Gotlands, Stockholm 1935, pp. 128 ff.; J. Werner, D ie auf Öland und Gotland gefundenen byzantinischen Goldmünzen, Fomvännen 1949 pp. 257 ff.; Klindt-Jensen, op. cit ., pp. 142 ff. 5 C f. above, p. 31. 6 T o be reported in a later volume of the publication on the excavations. 7 See W . Holmqvist, Dryckeshornen från Söderby-Karl, Fomvännen 1951. 8 Cf. Aberg, op. cit.y p. 86, Fig. 97; Klindt-Jensen, op. cit., p. 98 ff., Fig. 76.

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

36

during the course of the sixth century put the Mälaren provinces in the lead. The inhabitants of the region were well placed to supply themselves with all that the northern market had to offer, while at the same they were not too far from the southern market. The routes followed by trade from the beginning of the commercial expansion of the Svea tribe have been frequently discussed.1 The more recent finds, both in Denmark and in southern Sweden, seem how­ ever to show that an international trade route ran from southern England and the coasts of what are now Belgium and Holland through northern Jutland (Limfjorden) and via Själland, Skåne and Bornholm and so on up to the Mälaren basin.2 It is probable that the long-distance trade tried other channels as well, but on this we have at present no information. For our purposes, however, the details of the trade routes are of minor importance. The main point is that from the middle of the sixth century, or perhaps a little later, we can trace an expansive trade policy originating in the Mälaren provinces, a policy which dominates the west Finnish market and makes successful advances towards the eastern and southern coasts of the Baltic. The question is whether the fraternal understanding between the Svear and the Gotlanders at Grobin, of which we have spoken earlier, does not mean that the Svear also dominated Gotland from the beginning of the seventh century.3 But as already pointed out, this commercial hegemony can scarcely have been maintained by individual enterprise— by peasants and chieftains making occasional trade trips here or there when it suited them. There must have been a permanent organization which was responsible for at any rate the major part of the commercial programme. Buying and selling of goods could not be done casually any more than they can nowadays. The long-distance trade, especially, must have called for extensive preparations and reconnaissance of the market situation. In such circumstances it can be seen that Helgö had natural claims to take up a leading position. Here in the centre of the Mälaren region, we have a place which, Birka alone excepted, has yielded the greatest concentration of imported products hitherto found in Sweden. And the greater part of these products can be dated to the period before the ninth century. The Helgö settlement was clearly never very large. So far we have been able to discover remains of habitations in three places, in each case with several buildings, it is probable that we shall find a few further remains, but the whole settlement will be far from approaching the size of Birka. Nevertheless, Helgö’s capacity as a trading centre seems to have been quite adequate for its time. Or is it perhaps that we may expect to find a number of similar settlements, perhaps in other parts of Sweden? The Svea commercial outpost at Grobin seems to have come to an end circa a .d . 800, just as the trade in southwestern Finland seems also to have declined considerably, and at the beginning of the ninth century a new trade centre appears. This is Birka in the Mälaren region, which is not only larger than Helgö but is also referred in historical sources.4 Comparatively little is known about the reasons for this change, but with the help of historical and archaeological source material we can at any rate form certain theories about what happened. 1 See on this the survey in G . Arwidsson, op. cit., pp. 100 ff. 2 See C.-J. Becker, Zwei Frauengräber des 7. Jahrhunderts aus Nørre Sandegaard, Bornholm, A cta Archaeologica X X IV , t 953;

M . Ørsnes-Christensen, Kyndby, ein seeländischer Grabplatz aus dem 7.-8. Jahrhundert, Acta Archaeologica X X V I,

1 955 » PP* 154 f. together with maps. 3 See on this B. Nerman, En utvandring från Gotland och öns införlivande med Sveaväldet, Uppsala 1923. 4 See references in note 4, p. 29. Cf. also E. Kivikoski, Studien zu Birkas Handel im östlichen Ostseegebiet, Acta Archaeo­ logica 1937.

INTRODUCTION

37

This is not the place to go into details about the question, which moreover has been much discussed in archaeological and historical writings. It will be sufficient to refer to the changes in western European trade with the Orient which were the result of the advance of Islam. These increased the material impor­ tance of the northern route which led by way of the Baltic and the Russian rivers down to the Black Sea and the Caspian.1 We may also mention the more rapid urbanization taking place in northern Europe and the increase in warlike activity on the north European seas which took place from the end of the eight century.2 Probably all these factors contributed to the rise of Birka, but as discussion of the matter falls outside the scope of our present subject we shall only refer to it insofar as it throws light on the position of Helgö. It seems evident that when the Mälaren colony at Grobin came to an end and the Mälaren trade in western Finland fell off, this was not due to any general decline in the trading activities of the Svear. Indeed, precisely the opposite is likely to have been the case. For it was now that there began the intensive penetration by the inhabitants of the Mälaren provinces or the Svear of the trade routes which led further east and as a result the nearer trade connections tended to recede into the background. This eastern trade, which was probably of far-reaching importance for the whole of western Europe, also led to more intensive contacts in that area, and Birka became the centre from which this great commercial expansion was directed. But in spite of the many favourable circumstances which prevented and which it has only been possible to hint at here, the growth of Birka has always appeared highly mysterious. The isolation and the sudden appearance of the place have been a stumbling-block to those who have sought to explain how the whole development occurred.3 With Helgö as a starting-point it is easier to understand the matter. The problem then becomes mainly that of explaining why it was Birka, a place situated only a few kilometres away from Helgö, that came to play the leading role during the Viking era instead of a centre so rich in traditions and experience as the latter. There can scarcely be any other explanation of such a change than that Helgö proved unable to cope with the large-scale trade of the Viking era. In fact, the situation of the port of Helgö was cramped and the channel to the north was unserviceable. In time, moreover, it certainly became silted up. Owing to the increasing danger from pirates, seafaring merchants were obliged to join together in armed convoys, and these convoys called for increased capacity in the receiving ports.4 At Helgö there was no room for the necessary expansion either in the harbour or ashore, and it therefore became necessary to look for 1 A popular survey of these questions is to be found in H. Arbman, Svear i österviking, Stockholm 1955 with many references to the literature. M . Stenberger, D ie Schatzfunde Gotlands der Wikingerzeit, Uppsala 1958, pp. 334 ff., gives an exhaustive account of the eastern trade during the Viking era. 2 Concerning northern European towns, see E. Ennen, Frühgeschichte der europäischen Stadt, Bonn 1953, with many references. — T h e journeys of the Vikings in the west have been dealt with by M . Stenberger-H. Arbman, Vikingar i västerled, Stockholm 1935; H. Shetelig, T h e Viking history of western Europe (Viking ant. in Great Britain and Ireland Part I), Oslo 1940. 3 It is not sufficient in this respect merely to refer to the fact that similar trade centres also grew up in other places during the same period, e.g. Hedeby, Kaupang, etc. T h e hesitation of researchers regarding the appearance of Birka is perhaps best shown b y the protracted debate on Birka as a Frisian trading colony. T h e earlier discussion on this is summarized in A . Schück,

op. cit.y pp. 51 ff.; cf. also Rohwer, op. cit., pp. 56 ff.; Ennen, op. cit.> pp. 60 f. 4 It appears from Vita Anskarii that the merchants gathered with their vessels at H edeby and voyaged thence together to Svealand (Vita Anskarii, Chap. 33). It also appears that the convoy which took Ansgar to Birka on his first visit was broken up by pirates in spite of armed resistance ( Vita Anskarii, Chap. 10).

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

38

a more suitable centre. Such a place was found a short distance to the west where Lake Mälaren opens out. Here Björkö occupied a good position in relation to the channels. It was on this island that the new trading centre of Birka was set up. We can be sure that it was the lords of Helgö who organized the new port.1 Such an undertaking called for all the experience and foresight that could be commanded, and Helgö had centuries of traditions of this kind to build on; and plans were certainly made there for the further expansion of the eastern trade which was to be of such farreaching importance during the Viking era and later. For it seems evident that the extensive trade through the Russian lakes and rivers southwards towards the Black Sea and the Caspian during the ninth and tenth centuries largely originated from the Mälaren region. It is not until a later stage that the merchants of Gotland enter the picture.2 Efforts were also made to expand the trade southwards. This is evidenced not only by the large quantity of archaeological finds of imported products but also by contemporary written sources. Thus in Vita Anskarii we are told of a Swedish mission at Worms, where in 829 Louis the Pious held an assembly of the people.3 The chronicle shows that the Swedish negotiations with Louis covered many questions besides the projected missionary activities at Birka. It is certain that trade was the primary concern and that the mission occupied a subordinate role in the negotiations. Consequently, when Ansgar set out on his journey up to Birka in the same year this is not to be regarded as a spontaneous and heroic attempt to carry the doctrines of Christianity into the heart of the country of the heathen Svear. According to the chronicle, Ansgar on his arrival was received in a markedly friendly manner by both king and people. One gets the strong impression that the journey was carefully prepared both at the place of departure and at the place of destination. What the treaty with the Frankish emperor aimed at in other respects we do not know, but we can presume that it was based on bilateral agreements that gave Swedish merchants roughly the same rights on Frankish territory as the foreign merchants enjoyed on Swedish territory. The treaty probably provided for freedom and protection within the Swedish and the Frankish territories respectively, privileges regarding tariffs and other duties, etc., and above all liberty to carry on business in the ports of destination.4 It is clear that for this latter purpose special rules of law were formulated for Birka and that later on these came to set something like a standard for medieval Scandinavian urban settlements.56In order to stimulate trade it was even decided to start minting coins on the Continental 1 One feels strongly tempted to bring in the information in the Ansgar chronicle about Herigarius, prefectus loci, in this connection. For it can be regarded as highly probable that the person who exercised the highest authority in Birka— at least so long as the place was still a new settlement— was identical w ith the lord of Helgö. W ith this it would be possible to combine another statement in Ansgar’s chronicle which speaks about Hergeir’s inheritance (hereditas). For hitherto it has not been pos­ sible to locate any place on Birka which would be considerably older than the urban settlement, i.e. the ninth century, and which would thus merit the designation “ inheritance” . T h e vague reference to the small group of graves at Ormknös as be­ longing to an older section is still unconfirmed and only an archaeological investigation can clear up the matter. Cf. H. Jankuhn, D ie frühmittelalterlichen Seehandelsplätze im N ord- und Ostseeraum, Vorträge und Forschungen Bd. IV , p. 484; H. Arbman, Birka I, Die Gräber, Uppsala 1943, p. xxn; id. Birka, Sveriges äldsta handelsstad, Stockholm 1939, p. 78. 2 See inter alia A . Schück, Studier rörande det svenska stadsväsendets uppkomst och äldsta utveckling, Uppsala 1926, pp. 208 f. 3 These statements in Vita Anskarii, Chap. 9 have been debated by several archaeologists and historians. Cf. Schück, op.

cit. p. 45; Arbman, Birka, Sveriges äldsta handelsstad, Stockholm 1939, pp. 16 flF. See also N. Ahnlund, introduction to G . R udberg’s translation of Vita Anskarii, Stockholm 1926, pp. 21 ff. 4 See on this Schück, op. cit., pp. 22 ff., 60 ff.; H . Jankuhn, Haithabu, Neumünster 1956, pp. 242 f.; H. Planitz, Frühge­ schichte der deutschen Stadt, Zeitschr. der Savigny-Stift, für Rechtsgeschichte 1943, pp. 47 ff. 6 See Schück, op. cit., pp. 60 ff., 337 ff.

INTRODUCTION

39

pattern.1 However, the glut of precious metals at the time made this minting rather ineffective and it therefore remained on a modest scale. There are strong reasons for assuming that trade agreements were also concluded with the Saxons and other peoples but of this nothing is certainly known. It is, however, evident that there were Frisians settled on Birka; this appears from the account in the chronicle of Ansgar concerning Frideborg and Katla.2 It may also have been to Birka that the twenty Frisian merchants referred to in the inscription on the well-known runestone from Rök in Östergötland were bound.3 If von Friesen’s interpretation on this latter point is to be regarded as well-founded, the journeying of Frisians to Birka, like several statements in Vita Askarii, gives a clear picture of the unrest prevailing at this time. The merchants were obliged to make up large convoys in the ports of departure and to arm themselves against the perils of the voyage. In spite of such precautions the convoy in which Ansgar travelled on his first journey to Birka was broken up and robbed by pirates, and Ansgar was compelled to perform a large part of his journey up to the Mälaren valley on foot. Though sorely troubled by the unrest of the time and burdened by the measures which that unrest made necessary the leaders who directed the trading activities of the Svear were not only brilliantly successful in maintaining their position but were even able to improve it in a remarkable degree. Thus when Birka inherited Helgö’s role the change did not occur because of a decline in trade but because of a quite re­ markable advance. The trading activities of the Svear reached their Zenith around 900 when the important town of Hedeby in southern Jutland, a transit port for a large part of the trade with western Europe, fell into Swedish hands.4 However, the Swedish hegemony there was to last only about half a century. Like Birka’s existence as a whole, the reason for siting the trading centre on an island in Lake Mälaren has been the subject of frequent speculation. With our present knowledge of Helgö this problem can now be regarded as solved. Both places were chosen with reference to the trade routes; and the reasons for Birka’s situation do not only support but seem rather to confirm our earlier statements about Helgö’s position in relation to the north-south and east-west routes. It should be observed that as Birka was only a few kilometres away from Helgö, the organization of Birka and the activities carried on there could easily be supervised from the old trading centre. Moreover, the king of the Svear had two estates in the neighbourhood, one on Adelsö and one on Munsö, a fact which shows his great interest in and permanent concern with the place.5 What, however, was largely decisive was no doubt the position in relation to the north-south trade. This has recently been strongly emphasized by a young Swedish researcher,6 who considers that the importance of the Södertälje passage has been considerably underestimated in earlier investigations. He protests, quite justifiably, against the older supposition that after the sixth century this channel was no longer usable. His own investigations clearly show that the north-south passage via 1 See H. Arbman, op. cit., pp. 114 f.; N . L . Rasmusson, Birka- och Hedebymynt.

Kulturhistoriskt lexikon för nordisk

medeltid Bd I, Malmö, 1956, col. 588 ff. 2 See Schück, op. cit., pp. 45 f.; B. Rohwer, op. cit., pp. 10 ff., 56 f. 3 See O. von Friesen, Rökstenen, Stockholm 1920, pp. 80 ff.; Schück, op. cit., pp. 46. 4 H. Jankuhn, op. cit.

5 See

Arbman, Birka I, Die Gräber, p. xiv; Schück, op. cit., p. 53, 368 ff., with references.

6 Ambrosiani, Birka-Sigtuna-Stockholm , T o r 1957 (Uppsala). T h e importance of the Södertälje passage has earlier been pointed out by E. Floderus, Täljes uppkomst, Täljebygden 1950, pp. 3 f. Floderus, like Ambrosiani, does not accept E. Granlund’s opinion that the channel was silted up circa a .d . 500. (See E. Granlund, D e geografiska betingelserna för Stockholms uppkomst, Ym er 1930). Cf. also K . A . Gustawsson, Stockholmstrakten under forntiden, Stor-Stockholms villastäder, Stock­ holm 1942. Gustawsson considers that the channel was navigable well into the twelfth century.

40

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

the Södertälje channel and Fyrisån, was in full operation until at least the second half of the tenth century. Whether owing to the progressive rising of the land level in this narrow part of the channel, it was necessary to carry out dredging or whether a boat-haul was arranged over the small stretch of land which in the worst case might divide the Baltic from Lake Mälaren cannot yet be decided.1 It can, however, be regarded as quite certain that Birka’s existence was closely connected with this much-frequented trade artery. During the latter part of the tenth century Birka disappeared as suddenly as it had arisen. Ambrosiani considers that an important reason for the cessation of trading was that navigation of the Södertälje pas­ sage had been rendered very difficult as a result of the continuing rise in the level of the land.2 It is also probable that larger vessels were now used and these, because of their deeper draught, could not be taken over shallows or reefs.3 The traffic into the Mälaren had therefore to use the outer route via Södertörn. This development was a death-blow to the commerce of Birka, and Helgö’s ancient role as guardian of the sound also lost its importance. Otherwise, Helgö seems to have lived on during the whole of the Viking era side by side with Birka; indeed, judging by the date of the latest coins found at each place, it seems to have survived longer than Birka.4 Birka’s functions were taken over by the newly founded Sigtuna, where trade and commerce were doubtless organized in much the same way as in the older settlement.5 In this connection it is not surprising that on two runestones in Sigtuna there is mention of a Frisian guild.6 The name-forms suggest that this was a mixed association of Swedish and Frisian merchants; one is reminded of the Frisian settlement at Birka, evidenced inter alia by the story in Ansgar’s chronicle of Frideborg and Katla referred to above. Later in the Middle Ages Sigtuna, too, loses its importance. Then new islands and new channels appear as strategic points in the eternal struggle for trade routes and commercial mastery. On the holms at Stock­ holm are laid the foundations of the new city which has proudly, carried on the ancient traditions ever since.7 Fig. 5. With this we arrive at a thousand-year-long panorama of a phenomenon of vital importance not only 1 T h e distance over the isthmus of Jutland between Hedeby on the east and Hollingstedt on the west is no less than twelve kilometres and it is clear that the boats were either dragged over this or there was extensive transshipment of goods. 2 Ambrosiani, op. cit., pp. 153 ff. — A s evidence of the giving up of Birka reference can be made to the finds of coins. T h e latest coins found on Birka were minted in the çôo’s. It is, moreover, significant that Birka did nGt receive any part of the great flow of coins from the so-called Danegeld payments in England. See H. Arbman, op. cit., p. 114. 3 Unfortunately little is known about the freight vessels of that time. Finds which have been made seem to show that small, shallow-draught ships were used until well into the M iddle Ages. On the other hand it is not impossible that the Frisian kogg began to be used in international trade earlier than has generally been supposed. T h u s it is a noteworthy fact that the name Kogghamn is borne by a creek on Björkö immediately to the east of the old settlement of Birka. It is quite certain that this name can be directly connected with the town, and it thus constitutes the earliest existing instance of a word in which kogg is included. In a .d . 867 one finds the name “ Cokingi” , which may possibly mean people who sail koggs, in Annales Bertiniani; and in several sources from the middle of the tenth century there occurs the word cogsculd, which is obviously connected with

kogg (See on this B. Rohwer, op. cit., pp. 35 f.). A ll this seems to indicate that any rate in the tenth century the koggs with their deep draught may have begun to be fairly generally used in international freight traffic; in that case the decline of Birka would be a direct consequence of this development. 4 T h e latest date found on a coin at Helgö is a .d . 1025 (on a German silver coin minted at Mainz). T h e latest minting period for Birka is the çôo’s, cf. note 3. 5 See O. von Friesen, Om Sigtunas ålder och uppkomst, Uppl. fomminnesfören. tidskr. X X X V I I , 1922; A . Schück, op.

cit., p. 140 and passim; E. Floderus, Sigtuna. Sveriges äldsta medeltidsstad, Stockholm 1941. 6 See A. Schück, op. cit., p. 253; Rohwer, op. cit., p. 56; E. W essén-S. B. F. Jansson, Upplands runinskrifter. II: 2, Uppsala 1945, pp. 138 ff. and pp. 162 ff., together with references. 7 See H. Hansson, Stockholms stadsmurar, Stockholm 1956. See also B. Nerman, Var Stockholm handelsplats under vikinga­ tiden?, Samf. St. Eriks årsbok 1958, pp. 105 f.; B. Ambrosiani, op. cit., pp. 148 f.

INTRODUCTION

41

Fig. 5. Helgö with neighbouring parts of Lake Mälaren.

for the population of the Mälaren valley but also of the whole Svea realm in the wider sense. We can see Helgö, Birka, Sigtuna and Stockholm playing, one after the other, what is basically the same leading role* Each in turn learns from the experience of its predecessors but adjusts itself to the new conditions and requirements of the time, though it is by no means a foregone conclusion that the newcomer manages in all respects to surpass what has been done before. One gets, rather, the general impression that it is the first two names in this remarkable quartet that are pre-eminent— provided of course that we consider the achievements of Stockholm within the framework of the thousand-year period we have spoken of. The names of Helgö and Birka inspire respect in more than one direction. We can see how at a surpris­ ingly early stage— even viewed from an international angle— the forces in the Mälaren region are gathered into the hands of a venturesome and powerful organization which enables full use to be made of the pos­ sibilities of material advance that a favourable situation can give and which at the same time possesses the necessary strength to keep any competitors at a distance. There can be no doubt that a fixed and con­ scious policy lay behind the conquests of new fields of activity for commerce and new trade routes. Basically, the flowering of the Svea empire is synonymous with the material progress of the Mälaren valley during the later phases of the Scandinavian Iron Age. Helgö’s prominence as an international trade centre and direct forerunner of Birka gives rise to problems of exceptionally wide scope from several points of view, in addition to those indicated above. Among

42

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

other things, there is the question of what the commerce was really aimed at. If the inhabitants of Helgö manufactured art and handicraft products of various kinds for sale in markets near and far, what did they receive in exchange? If they imported foreign products of various types, what did they give for them? Scandinavian archaeologists in the past have rarely examined such questions; they have contented them­ selves with causal references to trade in amber in the earlier periods— and trade in furs in the later ones, the slave-trade being added to these in order to give the whole a more exciting air.1 The truth is that the real circumstances are extremely complicated and are difficult to uncover owing to the lack of written evidence. However, the archaeological sources have eloquent testimony to offer— provided they are ob­ jectively handled— and in this connection a detailed analysis of the material from Helgö— or rather from both Helgö and Birka— may be expected to yield a good deal that is of interest. Without going deeply into these questions at the present time, it may be mentioned that one of the objects found on Helgö was a mould for a serpentine brooch of a type which is chiefly encountered in Finland. This may mean that the inhabitants of Helgö carried on trade metal products not only in the immediate vicinity but also internationally. The spreading of the products in question seems mainly to relate to the western and south-western parts of Finland, i.e. the coastal districts with their immediate hinterlands, and one must presume that these areas had something else to give in exchange. Mainly the fur trade has been thought of in this connection, and it is of course possible that there were purchasing centres which covered considerable areas extending well into the interior of the country.2 But the question is whether the coastal districts could not also supply other acceptable commodities. Among other things the inhabitants may have carried on seal-fishing on a large scale, and seal-skins and oil must have been important trade products at that time, just as they were at a later period.3 Whether finished metal products made on Helgö might also have been marketed in continental Europe is uncertain and seems improbable. On the other hand, it appears likely that there may have been trade in iron or iron ore on a larger or smaller scale. This theory is borne out by chemical analyses of iron which have recently been made. The results are at present only provisional and the work is to be extended, but even now it is possible to establish certain facts with some clarity.4 It has been shown that the iron from Helgö is mainly derived from lake ore. In this respect Helgö differs from the rest of the country with the exception inter alia of Gotland. The archaeological investiga­ tions have shown that metal handicrafts were undoubtedly carried on there on a quite considerable scale. Iron slag and smeltings, crucibles, etc., have been found in considerable quantities, and concentrated groups of deep hearths make it probable that iron processing was carried on. A large-scale exploitation of central Swedish lake ore may be one of the many reasons for the great expansion of the Svea realm and the Mälaren 1 It is obvious that both fur trading and slave trading occurred on a very large scale, and a number of written sources bear witness to this. On the other hand they usually say nothing about more specialized trade articles which archaeologically could be established to be trade objects. Cf. inter alia E. Ennen, Frühgesch. d. europ. Stadt. Bonn 1953, pp. 52 ff. 2 See inter alia Aberg, op. cit.yp. 80; E. Kivikoski, Die Eisenzeit im Auraflussgebiet, Helsinki, 1939, pp. 236, 238 ff.; A . Hackman, Das Brandgräberfeld von Pukkila in Isokyrö, Finska fornminnesfören. tidskr. X L I 1938, p. 184; H. Salmo, D ie Waffen der Merowingerzeit in Finnland, Finska fornminnesfören. tidskr. X L I I , Helsinki 1938, pp. 317 ff. 3 Cf. M . Dreijer, D ie Ziemadel von Syllöda, Suomen Museo L X I I I 1956, pp. 26 f.; see also M . Stenberger, D ie Schatzfunde Gotlands der Wikingerzeit I, Uppsala 1958, pp. 368 f. Sealskins are also mentioned among the trading commodities of Ottar o f Heligoland. Cf. E. Ennen, op. cit.y p. 54; See also H. Jankuhn, Haithabu (1939), pp. 133 ff.; A . W . Brögger, Håløygenes Bjarmelandsferder, Festskr. til J. Øvigstad, Tromsø mus. skrifter 2, Tromsø 1928; the text of Ottar’s journey is reproduced in H. Sweet, King Alfred's Orosiusy Part I, London 1883. 4 See O. Arrhenius, D ie Grundlagen unserer älteren Eisenherstellung, Antikvariskt arkiv 13, Lund 1959.

INTRODUCTION

43

region from the latter part of the sixth century onwards. The inhabitants now had a marketable commodity to offer. In such a connection it also appears natural that the Gotlandic iron, like the iron from Helgö, should mainly be derived from lake ore.1 Since Gotland has no natural deposits of this kind the lake ore must have been imported, and it is reasonable to suppose that it came from the Mälaren valley. This assumption is supported not only by the composition of the ore but also by the fact that during the late Iron Age the Mälaren region exercised a commercial predominance in the whole of the Baltic region. But if it be accepted that the beginning of iron or iron ore exports to Gotland and other places was one of the foundations of the increasing prosperity of the Mälaren region and the expansion of the Svea realm, other perspectives of great interest are also opened up. Materials from the Viking era settlement of Hedeby on the isthmus Jutland have been carefully studied, and a number of iron analyses have been performed.2 From these it is clear that the greater part of the iron at Hedeby is derived from high-quality lake ore and not from the resources of bog ore which are found in the vicinity. The possibility has been seriously considered that the iron or the ore might have been imported from Sweden. From historical sources we know that Hedeby was occupied by the Swedes towards the end of the ninth century and was a Swedish colony for about fifty years. We also know that there had been constant communication between Hedeby and the Mälaren region before that period; thus all the necessary conditions were present for a profitable export trade in Swedish iron ore. The problem can also be considered from another point of view. During the Middle Ages and until a much later period Swedish lake ore was extracted on a large scale and exported to other countries.3 For a long time ore extracted from rocks played a very subordinate role. The results of the analyses recently made seem to show that this large scale trade in iron began considerably earlier than has hitherto been believed— that it existed at any rate during the Viking era and probably even before. The obvious rise in prosperity during the late Iron Age in such provinces as Småland, Västmanland, etc. would not in that case have to be ascribed to the beginning of rock-ore mining but to a more intensive exploitation of lake ore in these districts which continued during the Middle Ages and later. Undoubtedly one obtains a much more acceptable and detailed picture than hitherto of both Helgö and Birka if in addition to everything else we can think of them as centres for the exportation of iron in a more or less highly processed form. In this way their position as central trading settlements is more firmly established than if one can only adduce trade in furs, handicrafts and the like. As trading centres Helgö and Birka can be conceived of as receiving this important raw material from individual producers working within an extensive area; these in their turn would receive in exchange articles imported from abroad or manufactured on Helgö or Birka. For the longer hauls— those to Continental ports— it is possible that even, during the Viking era the favourite merchant vessel of medieval times, the koggy had begun to be used; the name Kogghamn at Birka may be an indication of this.4 On the other hand, it must not of course be assumed that the quantities of iron conveyed were very large. The consumption of iron in prehistoric times cannot be compared quantitatively with that of later times. 1 Arrhenius, op. cit.yp. 29. 2 See H. Jankuhn, Haithabu, Neumünster 1956, 3. Auflage pp. 175, 214 f. Cf. also id.: D ie Ausgrabungen in Haithabu und ihre Bedeutung für die Handelsgeschichte des frühen Mittelalters, Arbeitsgemeinsch. für Forschung des Landes NordrheinWestfalen, H eft 59, Köln 1958. 3 See J. Nihlén, Studier rörande äldre svensk j am tillverkning med särskild hänsyn till Småland, Stockholm 1932 pp. 9 ff.; id. Äldre järn tillverkning i Sydsverige, Stockholm 1939, pp. 11 ff. 4 C f. above, note 3, p. 40. See also E. Ennen, op. cit., p. 51.

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

44

Regarded from an international point of view Helgö is immediately seen to present many problems which are still far from being solved. For Helgö must undoubtedly be regarded as a direct predecessor of Birka and thus as Sweden’s oldest trading city; and since Birka in its turn ranks among the oldest north European trading communities of the early Middle Ages, the question of Helgö will directly affect problems connected with these.1 The opportunities of studying on the Continent the early history of medieval towns are very limited, mainly because the settlements in question occupy the same sites as their successors and have been entirely overlaid or despoiled by these. Consequently the picture one can reconstruct is based largely on statements in written sources of various kinds. It is not until recent times that, with the help of archaeo­ logical excavations of urban settlements, a methodical attempt has been made to supplement the written sources. Here the investigation of Hedeby, the Viking era settlement in southern Jutland, has been of cardinal importance, as have also been the extensive excavations of early Hamburg.2 The urban life of early times is now a much pursued and much debated branch of research among legal and historical scholars— expecially in Germany, but also in Belgium and France and to some extent in Holland and Britain as well— and there is no doubt that this has had a number of results which would appear to be lasting.3 Exactly how Helgö and Birka are to be brought into this already existing scheme remains to be seen. The difficulty is all the greater since neither on the Continent nor in Britain has it yet been possible to show a single case where an urban settlement of the kind here under discussion has grown so organically and obviously out of an only slightly older Merovingian settlement as— to all ap­ pearances— Birka grew out of and became the heir to Helgö. If Helgö, so to speak, constituted the earlier phase of the development of the Viking era urban settlement of Birka and broadly speaking had the same functions as Birka, it is precisely this stage in the development which is lacking elsewhere; a comparative study is thus more or less out of the question.4 Helgö, with its special functions, makes its appearance surprisingly early as compared with international conditions. On the other hand, the continuing researcheson Helgö and a more systematic examination of the area may perhaps reveal further sections of the settle­ ment which will lead the investigators on to new tracks or perhaps bring the settlement into closer conso­ nance with the evidence from historical sources. In the latter case our knowledge of the early medieval urban settlements in northern Europe would be greatly enriched and would shed light on conditions far back in time. In any event the continued investigation of Helgö obviously constitutes an archaeological task of primary importance. 1 T h e earlier literature on Birka and connected problems is reported inter alia by Schiick and Arbman in their works men­ tioned above. In later times important surveys have been made by Jankuhn in the latest edition of Haithabu (1956), and alsoby M . Stenberger in the chapter on trade in his work Die Schatzfunde Gotlands der Wikingerzeit. See also E. Ennen, op. cit. A clear and concise summary is also to be found in H. Jankuhn, D ie frühmittelalterlichen Seehandelsplätze im N ord- und Ostseeraum, Vorträge und Forschungen Bd. IV. 2 See Jankuhn, op. cit.; R. Schindler, Ausgrabungen in A lt Hamburg, Hamburg 1957. 3 For the literature which has appeared since the work by Schuck cited reference may be made to the excellent guide tothese questions in E. Ennen, Frühgeschichte der europäischen Stadt, Bonn 1953, with many references. See also id., D ie euro­ päische Stadt des Mittelalters als Forschungsaufgabe unserer Zeit, Rhein. Vierteljahresblätter X I 1941 (Bonn), pp. 119 ff.; F. Rörig, Hansische Beiträge zur deutschen Wirtschaftsgeschichte, Breslau 1928; H. Pirenne, Les villes et les institutions ur­ baines, Paris-Brussels 1939; F. L . Ganshof, Over Stadsontwikkeling tusschen Loire en Rijn, Antwerpen 1941; W . Vogel, Handelsverkehr, Städtewesen und Staatenbildungen in Nordeuropa im früheren Mittelalter, Zeitschr. d. Ges. f. Erdkunde, Berlin 1931, pp. 257 ff. 4 See on this E. Ennen, op. cit., pp. 44 ff.

Chapter i

H E L G Ö A N D ITS P R E H I S T O R I C R E M A I N S

T

he s m a l l

is l a n d

of Helgö was until

a

few years ago more or less unknown as

a

place of prehisto-

ric remains. The preliminary, earlier inventory records did not show anything more important. The remarkable finds of 1950 (cf. page 55) and the following archaeological excavations have however to-day given the small island a distinguished place among the Swedish ancient monuments. The maximum extent of the island is in the east-west direction 4.7 km, the greatest breadth, on the other hand, being only 1.25 km. The terrain is hilly, with low, tree-covered eminences and, between these, open cultivated fields. The hills are not higher than 50-60 m, but in several places there are outcrops of rock which form steep and inaccessible slopes. The ground is especially rocky towards the Bockholmssund, where it forms steep cliffs towards the water. The tree-covered parts are covered by moraine with many boulders. Towards the Norrsund extends the greater part of the cultivated land, which as the shore is approached gives way to low-lying meadows. This cultivated land is divided into two parts, there being a large con­ nected area around the manor-house of Kaggeholm in the western half of Helgö and a somewhat smaller and less cultivated area surrounding the former farmstead of Bona in the eastern section of the island. This has clearly been the case as far back as the history of the island can be traced during the modern period. In prehistoric times, however, the situation was evidently different, since it is in the areas which are now woodland that both the prehistoric buildings and the grave-fields have been discovered. In recent years practically the whole island has been undergoing a process of total transformation. Considerable parts of the areas once covered by trees, as well as sections of the arable land, have been divided up into small plots and have been built on. It is true that most of the buildings are in the nature of summer cottages but a number of houses for all-the-year-round occupation have been erected, and in any case the modern building development has had a profound effect on the landscape. This means that it will not be possible to restore the prehistoric appearance of the area except to a very modest and limited extent. It is noteworthy that the prehistoric remains known to us are concentrated in the eastern part of the island, i.e. in the Bona area. It is important to note this, since the western half of the island not only became the site of the manor of Kaggeholm but also seems to be favoured by a better position than the eastern part. From the west of Helgö both Björkö, with Birka, and the entry to the important Södertälje passage lie within sight and easy reach. Nevertheless, not a single prehistoric monument has been found in this part of the island, with the exception of a prehistoric hillfort which is situated on the eastern edge

Fig. 6. The eastern part of Helgo from the air.

H E L G Ö A N D ITS P R E H I S T O R I C R E M A I N S

47

Fig. 7. T h e eastern part of Helgo with its prehistoric remains. 1-3. House remains,

14. Hillfort,

10-13, 114 -118 , 148 and 151. Graves and grave fields. Cp. Fig. 6.

of the area, near the boundary of the Bona property. Perhaps, however, this absence of remains is sympto­ matic and the Bona section in fact offered a better situation for the conditions prevailing at that time. Birka’s situation on the island of Björkö is roughly similar. There, too, the prehistoric monuments are concentrated in the rear of the island, as viewed from the navigational routes, and the whole of the southern part of Birka, which directly faces the entry to the Södertälje passage and to the east-west channel through Mälaren, is without prehistoric remains. The fortress mentioned above is situated in the woody terrain in the middle of the island, roughly equidistant from the eastern and western promontories and equidistant from the southern and northern shores of the island. In the inventory record of the Central Office of National Antiquities for this district the hillfort is numbered 126, and the description, prepared by G. Ekelund, is as follows:

Hillfort, situated on the crest of a hill sloping steeply towards the south and the east. The eminence on which the fortress is situated measures about n o x 85 m (NW-SE). On the less steep slopes towards the north and east there are ramparts: a. Rampart, c. 12 m long (E 20' N -W 20' S), 2-3 m wide and c. 0.5 m high. The rampart consists of sharp-edged stones measuring o.4-1.0 m, of which the largest are standing on edge in the bottom an the outer side of the rampart. b. Cairn c. 4.5 m diam., c. 0.5 m high, consists of stones, generally sharp-edged, measuring 0.3-0.6 m. In the middle is a circular depression, c. 1.5 m diam., c. 0.4 m deep.

48

No. 151.

No. 1 18.

No. 1 17.

No. 1 15.

No. 1 16.

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

c. Rampart c. 48 m long (NW -SE), 2-3 m wide, o. 2-0.4 m high, consisting of stones measuring 0.3-0.6 m. Largely collapsed. d. Rampart c. 14 m long (NE-SW ), c. 2 m wide and 0.3 m high, consisting of stones measuring 0.2-0.4 m. From this description it will appear that the fortress is not of large dimensions; probably it may be regarded as the western outpost of the prehistoric settlements which have been found on the eastern part of the island. Before the archaeological investigation, which began in 1954, there had been registered in the eastern part a prehistoric fortress and a number of small grave-fields. For a description of these we shall again follow the inventory record of the Central Office of National Antiquities, prepared by G. Ekelund. The position of the prehistoric remains in question is shown in Fig. 6, which is taken from the economic map. Cp. Fig. 7. Stone-setting, almost circular, c. 5 m diam. and 0.5 m high, fairly clearly delimited. Turfed over, with stones measuring o.3-0.5 m visible on the surface; covered with vegetation— various small bushes and an oak tree. Grave field, c. 90 x 55 m (N-S), consisting of c. 25 prehistoric graves. These consist of about 10 mounds and about 15 circular, filled stone-settings. The mounds are about 5-10 m in diam. and 0.5-1 m high. They are clearly delimited and are turfed over, with deciduous trees growing on them. The circular stone-settings are c. 4-9 m in diam. and 0.3-0.8 m high. Most are fairly clearly delimited. Turfed over, with a few stones visible on the surface, measuring c. 0.3-0.6 m. Covered with vegetation, mainly deciduous trees. Grave field, c. 40 x 25 m (N-S), consisting of about 5 prehistoric graves. These consist of a mound and four stone-settings. The mound, which is almost circular, is c. 9 m in diam. and 0.9 m high, is clearly delimited and has a depression in the middle. At the western edge there is a stone, measuring c. 1 m. Turfed over, with occasional stones visible on the surface, measuring 0.3-0.6 m. Covered with vegetation— small coniferous trees. Of the stone-settings one is rectangular and three are almost circular. The rectangular one, which is situated c. 7 m NE of the mound, measures c. 6 x 5 m (E-W). Fairly clear delimitation by stones measuring 0.3-0.6 m. The most obvious corner­ stone is in the NW; it measures 0.5 x 0.5 m and is 0.6 m high. Turfed over, with stones visible on the surface, measuring 0.3-0.5 m. The other stone-settings are almost circular, c. 4-6 m in diam. and c. 0.2-0.4 m high, and are turfed over, with stones visible on the surface, measuring 0.4-0.6 m. Covered over with conif­ erous trees. Grave field, c. 100 x 75 m (E 21' S-W 21' N), with about 20 prehistoric graves. These consist of c. 18 stone-settings and 2 filled ship-settings. The more obvious ship setting is situated c. 25 m N 29' W from the southern point of the grave-field and measures c. 7 x 25 m (W 23' S E 23' N). The western stave-stone measures c. 0.8 x 0.25 m (N N W -SSE) and is 0.7 m high. The eastern one has fallen over. The other stones measure 0.4-0.6 m. Filled 0.2 m. Turfed over and covered with small deciduous trees. — The second ship-setting, which is less obvious, is situated c. 20 m NE of the first stone-settings are almost circular, with the exception of some which are irregular, two of these being square. The round settings are 4-6 m in diam. and 0.2-0.5 m high; some are fairly clearly delimited. Turfed over, with stones visible on the surface, measuring c. 0.3-0.5 m. Covered with mixed trees. Several of the settings are mound­ like in form. Grave-field c. 140 x 65 m (E-W), with about 30 prehistoric graves. These consist of a triangular stone-setting and mounds. The triang. stone-setting which is situated in the north-eastern

H E L G Ö AND ITS P R E H I S T O R IC R E M A IN S

49

part of the grave-field has concave sides, 12-13 m long. The points are NW, S and NE; filled, 0. 4 m high. In the middle there is a pit, almost circular, c. 1.5 m in diam. and 0.2 m deep, with an indication of a stone-setting at the edge. Turfed over and covered with small deciduous trees and bushes and a stump. The mounds are almost circular, c. 5-10 m in diam. and 0.5-1.7 m high. They are fairly clearly delimited. One mound, situated in the southern part of the grave field, is somewhat damaged through excavation. Turfed over and covered with mixed trees. No. 148. Stone-setting and mound 1. Stone-setting rectangular, c. 7 x 6 m (W 20' N -E 20' S), filled, c. 0.4 m high. The filling, which is partly turfed over, consists exclusively of stones measuring 0.15-0.35 m. Partially clear border chain, 0.2-0.4 m high, of stones measuring generally 0.4-0.6 m. On the northern side a stone c. 2 m long occurs in the chain. Upright corner stones in NW (0.7 m high), NE (0.7 m high) and SW (0.3 m high). Fallen corner stone in SE, covered with a number of young rowan-trees. Near and S 20' W of No. 1 is No. 2, Mound, flat, c. 9 m in diam., c. 0.5 m high. Entirely turf covered. Delimitation not clear. Covered with young rowan-trees and oaks. No.^114. Grave-field, c. 95 x 55 ni (NE-SW ), consisting of c. 30 prehistoric graves. These consist of c. 20 mounds and 10 stone-settings. The largest mound is c. 12 diam. and c. 1.4 m high. In the centre is an almost circular pit, c. 3.5 in diam. and c. 0.75 m deep. The other mounds are 4-9 m in diam. and o.4-1.0 m high. The stone-settings, which are now largely concealed by dense bush and therefore difficult to observe, are mainly circular, c. 4 m in diam., and filled, c. 0.2 m high. They are turf-covered. Two of the cairns are rectangular, 4 x 3 m , and filled, 0.2 m high. They have partly visible border chains, 0.2 m high, of stones measuring 0.4-0.6 m. All the prehistoric remains here mentioned are situated on the low hills neighbouring the former Bona farmstead and are immediately north of the road which leads to Kaggeholm manor-house. South of this road and south-east of Bona farmstead is the area of prehistoric remains with which we are here con­ cerned. In connection with the investigations now in progress this area has been freshly inventoried and mapped, the work being carried out under the auspices of the Central Office of National Antiquities by Mr. G. Ekelund and Mr. Cl. Varenius. A detailed map has been prepared by Mr. P. Lundström. The prehistoric remains are grouped on the northern slope of a low ridge (54 m above sea-level), which slopes steeply down towards the Bockholmssund. Its highest section is called Borgberget (see below) and the whole area is known as Lurudden. With the exception of the westernmost part the area was divided, before the beginning of the investigation, into plots for the building of summer cottages. Before this development of the land took place in the 1940*8 the area presented the appearance of a typical central Swedish waste-land with high dense coniferous forest, and the ground seems to have been uncultivated for centuries. Most of the prehistoric remains were therefore entirely overgrown, and even for a trained eye it was impossible to distinguish them in the terrain. Here follows a description which accompanies the map of the Central Office of National Antiquities and is the work of G. Ekelund, Cl. Varenius and P. Lundström: PI. 77. No. No. No.

i. 2. 3.

Stone-setting? high 0.4 m. Turfed. Limit vague. Grave? Stone-setting; high 0.2 m. Turfed. Limit vague. Grave? A few pine-trees and spruce-trees. House foundation, situated in the slope towards N -N E. Limit vague.The house foundation consists of two indistinctly bordered ledges of which one (nr 3 a) lies circa 0.3 m higher than the other one (nr 36). One spruce-tree, one pine-tree. Several stubs.

4 -

60153004 H e lg ö

50

E X C A V A T IO N S AT H E L G Ö

4. Pit, 0.4 m deep. 5. House foundation, situated in the slope towards N -N E. The northern longside is clearly distin­ guishable. It is marked by a stone-set border 0.3-0.4111 high of stones measuring 0.4-0.6 m. The border of the southern longside is vague. Three spruce-trees. No. 6. Stone-settting, 0.6 m high The filling whose surface is uneven and full of pits consists of stones measuringo.3-0.6 m. The bordering row damaged, 0.5-0.7 m high of stones measuring 1.0-1. 25 m. No. 7. Cairny1.0 m high The stones measuring 0.2-0.5 m. The bordering row is 0.5-1.0 m high of stones measur-ing 1.0-1.25 mwestern part is a boulder 2 x 1.25 m, 1.0 m high In the northern part damaged by minor stone-pit 0.6 m deep. No. 8. Stone-setting, mound-like, 0.5 m high. On the surface several stones measuring o.2-0.3 m. Turfed. Six spruce-trees. No. 9. Stone-setting? irregular, 0.1 m high On the surface several stones measuring 0.15-0.3 m. Border vague. Grave? No. 10. Stone-setting? irregular 0.1 m high At the edge a few stones 0.2-0.3 m L. and circa 0.05 m Ifigh Turfed. No. i i . Stone-setting? almost circular 0.2 m high Turfed. Border vague. No. 12. Stone-setting? circa 0.2 m high. On the surface several stones measuring 0.2-0.3 m. Border vague. Turfed. Grave? No. 13. Stone-setting? almost circular 0.15 m high. Turfed. On the surface occasional stones measuring 0.2 m. Border partly vague. No. 14. Cairn, 0.6 m high. The stones measure o.3-0.5 m. Badly damaged. Of the cairn remains now only the eastern half part. Stones from the cairn have been tumbled down a slope to the west where there is an uneven accumulation of cairn-stones (nr i\a on the map). No. 15. House foundation, 20 x 6 m (W 150 S-E 150 N) is situated in the slope to the north. The house foundation appears very clearly. Its northern longside consists of a clear stone-set border 0.4-0.8 m high. The stones measure 0.4-1.1 m. On the edges of the eastern part of the house foundation grow some ten spruce-trees. No. 16. House foundation, 5 x 5 m wide. Along the edge grow some spruce-trees. The northern edge is marked by a partly turfed line of stones measuring 0.4-0.8 m. The house foundation is situated on a level which is circa 1.5 m lower than house foundation nr 20, 0.5 m lower than house foundation nr 18 and 1.2 m higher than house foundation nr 15. No. 17. Elevation, in the surface layer 0.4 m high. Turfed. In the southern part there is an almost cir­ cular depression c. 0.2 m deep. Not likely a relic of antiquity. No. 18. House foundation, 21 x 6 (W 200 N -E 20e S) situated on the slope to the north. The northern longside appears most clearly and is partly marked by a stone-set border 0.4-0.6 m high of stones measuring 0.4-1.0 m. The southern longside is vague. A few spruce-trees. No. 19. House foundation? 20 x 8 m (E-W) is situated in the slope to the north. Limitation vague al­ though fairly clear at the western part of the northern longside where its border is marked by stones measuring c. 1.0 m. One big pine-tree, some ten spruce-trees. No. 20. House foundation, 18 x 7 m (E-W) is situated in the slope to the north. The house foundation appears very clearly. Its northern longside is marked by a partly turfed stone-set edge 0.40.6 m high of stones measuring 0.4-1.o m. Pine-trees, spruce-trees. No. 21. House foundation. Separate description, not yet published. No. 22. Mound, 0.4 m high. One big pine-tree, two spruce-trees. No. 23. Mound, 0.6 m high. Young spruce-trees. One stub. No. 24. Mound, 0.6 m high. One spruce-tree. No. 25. Mound, 0.3 m high. Damaged by vegetation. On the edge grows a spruce-tree. One stub.

No. No.

H E L G Ö AND ITS P R E H I S T O R IC R E M A IN S

No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

No. No. No.

51

26. Mound, 0.4 m high. On the surface visible stones measuring 0.2-0.4m. Two stubs. 27. Moundy 0.4 m high. Partly visible edge-line. One spruce-tree, stubs. 28. Moundy 0.4 m high. One pine-tree, two spruce-trees. 29. Stone-seitting, 0.2 m high. Turfed. Two spruce-trees. 30. Stone-seittingy 0.3 m high. Turfed. On the surface occasional stones measuring o. 1-0.2 m. One spruce-tree. 31. Mound, 0.7 m high. One big pine-tree, three spruce-trees. 32. Moundy 0.75-1.25 m high. In it are several pits 0.3-0.7 m deep after badger’s burrow. Four spruce-trees and some maple-trees. Besides some young spruce-trees and pine-trees. Foliiferous bushes. 33. House foundation. Separate description, not yet published. 34. jHouse foundation, see separate description. (Foundation I below) 35. Stone-settingyirregular 0.2 m high. Partly bordered by kerbstones measuring 0.2-0.5 m. Three birch-trees, one rowan-tree. 36. House foundation, see separate description. (Foundation II below) 37. Stone-setting, irregular, filled, 0.5 m high. At the edge partly bordered by stones measuring circa 0.6 m. One birch-tree, small rowan-trees. 38. House foundation. Separate description, not yet published. 39. Stone-setting, four-sided, filled, 0.6 m high. Partly bordered by stones measuring circa 0.9 m. A few small birch-trees. 40. House foundation. Separate description, not yet published. 41. Stone-setting, circular, filled 0.2 m high. The filling turfed with (on the surface) occasional stones measuring 0.3 m. 42. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.3 m high. Completely turfed. Damaged by road. One sprucetree, foliiferous bushes. 43. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.3 m high. The filling turfed with (on the surface) occasional stones measuring 0.3-0.4 m. 44. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.1 m high. In the northern edge a row of stones measuring 0 .2 0.6 m In the middle a pit 1.5 x 0.7 m wide and 0.2 m deep. Turfed northwards-southwards. Small spruce-trees. 45. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.3 m high Completely turfed. Damaged by road. Two birch-trees, one small spruce-tree. 46. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.3 m high. The filling turfed by a stone on the surface measuring 0.3 m. 47. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.2 m high. Irregular row of stones measuring 0.2-0.3 m. In the middle an ornamented spherical stone 0.3 m diameter. One birch-tree. 48. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.3 m high. In the southern part some 15 stones visible measuring o.2-0.3 m. Damaged by house foundation. 49. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.4 m high.Completely turfed. In the edge one spruce-tree. 50. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.2 m H. To a great extent damaged by road. 51. Stone-setting, circular, filled 0.3 m high. In the northern edge some 20 stones measuring 0.3 -0.5 m Half of the stone-setting hasbeen intersected by a road. One spruce-tree. In the middel an iron pipe to mark the grounds. 52. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.4 m high. Completely turfed. One pine-tree and two spruce-trees. 53. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.2 m high. The filling turfed by occasional stones in the edge measuring 0.2 m. One pine-tree. 54. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.2 m high. The filling turfed with occasional stones on the surface measuring 0.2 m. One birch-tree and rowan-trees.

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

55. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.2 m high. Completely turfed. 56. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.3 m high. Completely turfed. Two birch-trees (between 55 and 56 a pit measuring 1.5 x 1 m and 0.2 m deep). 57. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.5 m high. The filling was completely turfed with on the surface occasional stones measuring o.2-0.4 m. A few small rowan-trees. 58. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.4 m high. The filling was completely turfed with on the surface a stone measuring 0.3 m. Small spruce-tree plants. 59. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.5 m high. Completely turfed. In the southern edge a pit measuring 0.5 x 0.3 m; and 0.3 m deep. One small spruce-tree and small rowan-trees. 60. Stone-setting„ circular, filled, 0.2 m high. Completely turfed. In the edge one birch-tree. 61. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.3 m high. Completely turfed with occasional stones on the surface measuring 0.2 m. Four small spruce-trees. 62. Stone-setting, circular, filled, 0.3 m high. The filling was completely turfed with occasional stones measuring 0.2 m on the surface. 63. Stone-settingy circular, filled 0.4 m high. Completely turfed with the exception of one stpne in the middle. Small birch-trees. 64. Stone-settingy circular, filled, 0.2 m high. Completely turfed. One birch-tree, small rowan-trees. 65. Stone-settingy circular, filled, 0.4 m high. Completely turfed. One spruce-tree and one small rowan-tree.

No. 66. Stone-settingy circular, filled, 0.2 m high. Completely turfed. No. 67. Stone-settingy circular, filled, 0.2 m high. The filling was turfed with occasional stones on the surface measuring 0.2 m. One spruce-tree. No. 68. Stone-settingy circular, filled, 0.3 m high. Completely turfed. Half of the stone-setting has been intersected by a road. One small rowan-tree. No. 69. Stone-settingy circular, filled, 0.3 m high. The filling was turfed with occasional stones on the surface measuring 0.2 m. Two spruce-trees. No. 70. Stone-settingyy circular, filled, 0.2 m high. The filling was turfed with occasional stones on the surface measuring 0.2-0.5 m. No. No.

71. Area, within which the earth surface seems cleared from stones. The ground slopes slightly to the north. Limitation vague. Old arable land? 72. Wall, (1) belonging to ancient hillfort (demolished) 0.2-0.4 m high of stones measuring 0.30.6 m. — — — — — — — — —

wall, (2) 0.4-1.4 m high of stones measuring 0.5-1.1 m. The wall is highest in the southern part. In the wall there grow some small pine-trees. Demolished. wall, (3) 0.5-1.3 m H. of stones measuring 0.5-1.25 m. Demolished. wall, (4) badly demolished, 0.6 m H. of stones measuring o.6-1.0 m. wall? (5) irregular accumulation of stones measuring o.5-0.9 m. The accumulation is 0.4-0.6 m high. Completely demolished piece of wall? wall? (6) almost completely demolished, 0.3-0.6 m high. On the innerside one can see a row of a few stones measuring 0.4-1.o m which are obviously placed in this order. wall, (7) illdefined wall in crevice, irregular accumulation of stones measuring 0.5-1.o m. The accumulation reaches a height of 0.5 m. wall, (8) badly demolished and irregular, 0.4-0.7 m high of stones measuring 0.6-1.o m. wall, (9) badly demolished 0.4-0.7 m high of stones measuring 0.5-1.o m. Young sprucetrees and covered by brushwood.

wall, (10) badly demolished, 0.4-1.o m high of stones measuring 0.4-1.3 m. Between the walls 72: 9 and 72: 10 is an entrance c. 2.5 m wide.

H E L G Ö AND ITS P R E H I S T O R IC R E M A IN S

— — — — — —

No.

73.

No. No.

74. 75.

No.

76.

No.

77.

No. No.

78. 79.

No.

80.

53

wally ( i i ) a small one in a crevice consisting of three stones measuring o.8-1.0 m. Tho wall is 0.5 m high. wally (12) badly demolished, 0.6 m high of stones measuring 0.5-1.0 m. wally (13) indistinct and badly demolished. Situated in a crevice. The wall is c. 0.7 m high. In it is embodied a boulder measuring 2.5 x 2.5 m, c. 1.5 m high. wallly (14) badly demolished and indistinct, erected in the ascent to a ledge. The wall is c. 0.75 m high and consists of stones measuring 0.5-1.o m. In the wall there are a couple of boulders. wall, (15) clearly visible, c. 1.0 m high consisting of conspicuously big stones measuring 0.751.5 m. The wall has been erected along the edge of a house foundation. wall, (16) damaged, 0.5-0.75 m high consisting of stones measuring 0.5-1.25 m. The wall is best preserved close to the western part where three medium sized boulders lie beside each other. Cairriy 0.5 m high of stones mostly rugged measuring 0.3-0.5 m. Middle-pit is 0.5 m deep. Young pine-trees. Cairriy 0.6 m high of rugged stones measuring 0.3-0.6 m. Disarranged. Cairn? remains of cairn 0.2 m high consisting of an irregular accumulation of stones measur­ ing 0.2-0.4 m. Below a small precipice there is a heap of stones measuring 0.2-0.5 m which have been tumbled down from the cairn. The rock where the cairn was seems burnt. Remains of beacon fire? Traingular stone-setting? with circa 20 m L. bent in sides o.2-0.3 m high. Filling of stones measuring 0.2-0.3 m (The tines point towards S 200 E, W io° S and N 300 E). Badly dam­ aged by small stone pit. The tine that points towards S 200 E is hidden by a stone pile. Some ten spruce-trees. Areay within which the earth surface seems cleared from stones. Old arable land? The sur­ rounding country is packed by stones and boulders. Areaywithin which the earth surface seems cleared from stones. Old arable land? Area, within which the earth surface seems cleared from stones. The limitation towards W NW is indistinct. Old arable land? Areay within which the earth surface seems cleared from stones. Old arable land?

Remarks: A. Mound-like enhancement around big spruce-tree. B. Enhancement in the surface level, 0.2 m high. On the surface several stones measuring 0.15-0.25 m. C. Stone pile, 0.5 m high, partly turfed. As will be seen from the description above there are in this area three different groups of building founda­ tions which lie in a row, one after the other, in an east-west direction on the hill slope. The position could also be described by saying that the easternmost group lies immediately next to the former inlet of the Mälaren which may well have been the harbour of the settlement, and that the two other groups of buildings are in line with the first, in a westerly direction. The whole of the large prehistoric area on the eastern part of Helgö is divided naturally into two parts, one to the south with groups of buildings, a hillfort and grave-fields and one to the north with grave-fields and, at the extreme west, another hillfort. Between these two parts there is an open area which in recent times was arable land but is now partly built on. With the knowledge we now posses of the nature of the prehistoric remains, it is obvious that a continued investigation of the area could bring to light much that at present is unknown. Thus, there is good reason to believe that there may be several groups of building foundations or workshop areas. By way of example,

54

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

it may be mentioned that several of the most easterly burial mounds which are included in Reg. No. 116 seem to be composed entirely of earth with a high carbon content and brittle-burnt stones. The area immediately to the east of this also has culture soil with a high carbon content. South-east of the eastern group of building foundations, moreover, there has been observed a deep layer with a high carbon content, and this is undoubtedly connected with the ancient settlement on the place. Without further investiga­ tions, however, it is not possible to determine the type of these remains.

P H O SP H A T E A N A L Y S I S In 1955 specimens were taken for phosphate analysis within the area immediately adjoining the prehistoric remains dealt with above. They were taken at 50-metre intervals and are reported in Fig. 8. The analyses were performed by O. Arrhenius. The results show that the three groups of house foundations have* relatively high phosphate values, up to 230 being found in the eastern group, 170 in the central group and 125 in the western group. The highest values, up to 250, were found near the former farmstead of Bona Especially worth noting are the high phosphate values between the building groups and grave-fields north of the road, i.e. the open, cultivated area. Several values there were between 140 and 160. Specimens were taken below ploughing depths. The area otherwise presented values which as a rule did not exceed 50.

Fig. 8. Phosphate analysis within the area of the prehistoric remains.

Chapter 2

THE A R CH A EO LO G ICA L INVESTIGATIO N

I n p l a n n in g for

building work on plot No. 75 (Bona 443), the owner, Mr. Allan Hammarlund, found

in 1946 two small gold spiral rings. Fig. 9. These were handed over to the Museum of National Anti­ quities (Inv. No. 23568). They were assumed to date from the migration period, since in all respects they resembled the so-called payment gold of that epoch. No inspection of the site of the find took place at the time; but in 1950, when Mr. Hammarlund, digging a hole for a flagstaff, came upon a late antique bronze scoop, a preliminary investigation was made. The hole, about 50 cm wide and 80 cm deep, was still open, and beside it lay the earth which had been dug from it. The bronze scoop was stated to have been found at a depth of about 20 cm. At the same level there were found, in the wall of the pit, con­ siderable fragments of a shallow silver bowl. On sifting the upturned earth, more pieces of the bowl were discovered, together with some pieces of glass and potsherds. Experimental digging around the original hole revealed that the soil was slightly pigmented by carbon and that it contained some burnt pieces of bone and burnt clay to a depth of about 30 cm below the surface of the land. All this seemed to indicate that although the finds were unusual they were remnants from a settlement area; but as the season was far advanced it was not then possible to undertake a more extensive investigation. It was not until May 1954 that an investigation could start; it has been in progress ever since, with about three months’ excavating every year. As will appear from what follows, plot No. 75 (Bona 443) has proved to be completely filled with prehistoric remains, which also extend into the neighbouring plot Bona 444. Both these plots are situated on the northern slope of Borgberget and, before the investigation, showed no traces of previous settlement. Figs. 10-13. They were largely covered with thick pine forest which thinned out at the north and was replaced by high birches and other deciduous trees. The owner of plot Bona 443 had confined his activities to felling several of the larger pine trees and planning his small summer cottage. Otherwise the ground was entirely undisturbed, apart from a narrow bridle-path which passed diagonally over the plot. This path originally went along the eastern edge of Borgberget and connected the northern shore of Lillö (Helgö) with the southern shore. From the beginning the archaeological investigation, which began on a modest scale, yielded remarkably rich results, and in course of time it had to be extended. Soon the area of the investigation had reached such dimensions that serious inconvenience was caused to the owner of the land. In order that the excava­ tion might be continued it was necessary for the Central Office to buy the plot, and in the same year the government was asked for money to cover this expenditure and to provide for the continued excava-

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

56

Fig. 9. Two gold spiral rings.

tions. In 1955 the government made money available after a five-year plan for the excavations drawn up by the Central Office of National Antiquities had been approved. This gratifying response was evoked by the rich and, in many respects, sensational finds and the great hopes which archaeologists entertained from the very beginning concerning this area. As the work has proceeded these expectations have proved to be justified. But this has also meant that the work has become increasingly time-consuming and compli­ cated. Thus, at first it was not expected that remains of buildings would have been preserved to any noteworthy extent, and it was therefore thought that it would be possible to cover a large area quite quickly. Instead, it has proved that the area so far investigated is full of remains of permanent buildings in the form of post-holes, stone rows, hearths etc. Owing to the fact that the place has been settled continuously for a considerable period— to judge by the finds it can be estimated at 500-600 years— these building remains are in an extremely complicated relation to one another. They touch, traverse and overlie one another in such a way that only a very careful investigation can bring to light the individual facts. All this is reported in detail in what follows. The area so far investigated can be described in the following way. Cp. Figs. 10-13 On the northern slopes of Borgberget and at an average height of about 20 m above the present level of Lake Mälaren, there is a relatively dense collection of building foundations, of which four have been archaeologically examined up to the present time. They are arranged in terrace form, utilizing natural shelves on the slope and furnished where necessary with reinforcements of compressed earth. The foundations investigated are in the eist-west direction up to 40 m long and have had an internal construction of two rows of supporting poles. However, at a level with the uppermost building site and even somewhat higher, there is at least one foundation which has not been investigated and there are in fact probably two. — Immediately east of the foundations mentioned, there extends a deep culture layer which at the present stage of the investiga­ tion still has a rather diffuse character. It seems, however, to conceal constructional details of a build­ ing-foundation. Moreover, it can already be stated with certainty that the culture layer touches and partly overlies a triangular stone setting with concave sides and a large stone-setting of rather indeterminate character. The culture layer, in other words, has a direct connection with contemporary graves.

THE A R CH A E O LO G IC A L

INVESTIGATIONS

Fig. io. View to Foundation I and III from NE.

Fig.

ii.

View to Foundation I-IV from N.

57

5§

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

Fig. 12. View to Foundation I, III, and IV from NW.

Fig. 13. View to Foundation I from W.

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59

Before the beginning of the investigation, only these graves and another smaller stone-setting in their immediate vicinity were known and included in the inventory record. The fact that the building founda­ tions had been overgrown with dense vegetation for centuries contributed to their escaping attention, inasmuch as it could scarcely be expected that there was an older settlement in this milieu. The difficulty of establishing the existence of these prehistoric monuments by observation of the terrain will perhaps best be seen from the descriptions given here of the east and west building-foundation groups. These descriptions have had to be restricted to a minimum, even though in time these foundations will probably offer archaeological material just as abundant as that found in those so far investigated.

IN V ESTIG A TIO N METHODS In the investigation of house foundation I and II the following method was applied: In relation to a base line (K) fixed at 7 and 40 m by cast cement plinths the area was divided into metre squares. This system of squares has an axis running in a S-N direction with the squares indicated by letters (A, B, C etc.). South of A the squares are lettered BA, BB, BC etc. and north of Z they continue with AA, AB, AC etc. The axis perpendicular to this axis begins at o m at the eastern part of the founda­ tion and then runs in a westerly direction (1, 2, 3 m, etc.). In an easterly direction the numbering continues after the zero point with 101, 102, 103 etc. The squares are designated with letters and with numbers representing metres, to be read in the south-eastern corner of the square. The calculations within the area were made in relation to a fixed point on a large stone block fixed in the ground on the north-western part of the terrace. In the excavation the situation of the find was generally placed under the appropriate metre square, with the precise site notion given in centimetres, the first measurement being taken in the E -W direction and the second in the S-N direction. In other cases the find was included only under the square descrip­ tion; and, in the case of a few less important finds, the situation is stated only in relation to a larger area limited to a certain number of squares. The majority of the finds have been placed in relation to the above-mentioned fixed point. A map showing levels with 0.1 m equidistance has been prepared for the area so far investigated. PI. 73 and 75 -

The plan maps of the area investigated have been prepared on the scale 1 : 25, the profile drawings on the scale 1 : 10 or 1 : 20, and plans of postholes and other constructional details on the scale 1 : 10. On the basis of the experience gradually gained it has been possible considerably to improve the method of uncovering the terrain. In spite of the fact that the culture layer of the whole area was very shallow, the uncovering was mostly done stratum by stratum. After removing a thin layer of turf we have tried as far as possible to reveal the different details of the remains on the surface; these were measured and photographed in the first stage of the uncovering process. In the next stage the uncovering was taken further. In order to be able to distinguish details of constructional importance more easily and to bring out discolorations of the soil caused by settlement the area was sometimes sprayed with water and then prepared in detail. In this way we were able not only to measure and photograph such details with greater

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clarity and sharpness but also to make observations which otherwise would have been entirely impossible. Uncovered parts which were not being studied or measured were always protected with tarpaulins. At a third stage of the investigation, all details were measured and photographed in plan and profile. Postholes, stonerows, hearths etc. were then fully investigated and removed after all sections and de­ tailed observations had been made. At certain points important for the study of the character of the remains, profile lines were dug deep down into the undisturbed clay.

Chapter 3 BUILDING FOUNDATION I PL 1-2 and J3-J4. Fig . 13-14. General map no. 34

B o r d e r e d o n t h e s o u t h by Foundation II and V, which lie higher up on the slope, and on the

north by Foundation III, which lies lower. In the east it rises up towards Foundation IV. In the west it ends level towards the road (Lars Kagg’s stig). The area was undisturbed, with the exception of the hole dug for the flagstaff in squares K 2 1-L 21, and the bridle-path which runs in a N W -SE direction obliquely over the westernmost part of the founda­ tion. This path has nowhere cut down right through the culture layer but, especially in the western part, it has caused superficial damage. The building foundation is delimited by the following constructional elements: 1. To the north, by a stone-row running EN E-W SW . North of this stone-row, on the terrace slope, a few large stones and a less well-defined widely spread out, stone-row. 2. T o the east, at the foot of the slope rising up towards the east, the terrace is bordered by a ditch running N -S, dug down into in the clay, which in squares J and K o curves off in a gentle curve towards the west. 3. To the south, by the continuation of the ditch, which is slightly curved and almost parallel with the above-mentioned stone-row on the northern edge of the terrace. At squares F 19-I 19 the ditch referred to above is traversed by a ditch running almost at right angles. In the western part of the terrace the conditions are less clear. Noteworthy features are the gently curving but somewhat diffuse stone-row between squares O-P 32 and K 37, a layer of burnt stones which begins here, and the extensive carbon layer in squares M -R-21-28, as well as the collection of stones in squares N - 0 22-N-O 27, partly in connection with this carbon layer and partly overlying it. All the above-mentioned details are described under separate headings in what follows.

T H E S O U T H E R N S TO N E -R O W S PL 2: 2 and 3 : 1 In the southern part of the terrace, there were two rows close to each other running towards the west. The more northerly of these rows is almost parallel with the stone-row running along the terrace edge. The lower stone-row runs almost straight along a stretch of 8 m in an EN E-W SW direction. The stones

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generally measure o.3-0.5 m. The row can be followed from J 4 to H 10. In the continuation of this row towards the east there were observed some stones lying in a row, curving towards the north, which may be connected with the stone-row mentioned above. The other southern stone-row, lying to the south of this one, is 9 m long and slightly curved. At H 9 the row runs almost together with the other and is only 0.3 m south of the latter. Thereafter the row can be followed in an E-W direction to I 1, where its end-point is 1.4 m south of the prolongation of the northern row. The stone-rows are overlaid by a layer of small stones measuring 0.05-0.1 m. This paving covers an area of 5.5 x 3.5 m and can be seen in the turf surface. (See profile at 8 m, PI. 71: 2.) The paving is almost oval in form, with an irregular border, and covers the stone-rows from their end portions at H 10. However, the layer extends only over the western half of the southern stone-row.

TH E D I T C H PL 3: 2-3 and PL 4 In addition to the double stone-rows, the southern part of the foundation is bordered by a ditch dug down into the undisturbed stratified clay. It can be followed in an E-W direction from J o -G 21. At G 18 the ditch is cut by a shorter ditch running at right angles to it. At J o the ditch curves off towards the north and can be followed between J o and S 1. The stratigraphy of the ditch can be studied in the three main profiles at 3, 8 and 16 m. PI. 71: 2-3 and 72: 4. Throughout, the ditch has a shallow indistinctive profile without steep edges. Towards the west it narrows noticeably down to a diffuse ending. A similar diffuse ending characterizes the shorter ditch, situated at right angles at G 18, which can be observed on each side of the long ditch for a stretch of about 1.5 m. The ditch maintains a breadth of about 1 m along the greater part of the portion running E-W , apart from the narrow section in the western part. This has a breadth of about 0.5 m, which also applies to the parts running off at right angles. The maximum breadth of the ditch is 2 m at K o, where it curves off towards the N, then diminishing in breadth to 0.8 m at the diffusely ending northern part. The whole of the part running E -W is slightly curved towards the south. The filling of the ditch consists of a bottom layer of gravel partly mixed with small stones and, over this, a darker, loose filling of silt mixed with humus. Concerning the constructional evidences of the ditch the following should be noted. The outer edge of the ditch, to the south and to the east generally showed a more steep and distinct profile as was the case of the inner edge which had a smoother and more shallow profile. In the eastern part of the ditch one can also notice that the green pigmentation of the clay (due to the phosphate-im­ pregnation), which covered this part of the terrace stops immediately at the inner edge of the ditch, see the profiles at 3 and 8 m pi. 71. At the profile L -M , pi. 67, another constructional feature can be studied. Here the bottomprofile of of the ditch is narrowing to a trench with distinct edges along the outer eastern edge of the ditch. One can also notice that the upper layer of the filling of the ditch stretches beyond the eastern edge. This seems to suggest that the filling of the ditch is of a later date than the ditch itself. The explanation of

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the caracteristic profile L -M in that case may be that the ditch actually is a foundation trench and the trench in the bottom is a trace of a wall of a building. The depth of the ditch below the surface of the ground was about 0,7 m but the real depth of the trench dug into clay was about 0,4 m. In the ditch several artefacts were found. The finds consisted mainly of clay-discs, potsherds of rough ware and bits of grinding-stones. The finds from the ditch have the following numbers: no. 2128, 2144, 2145, 2146, 2147, 2179, 2297, 2421, 2425, 2458, 2459, 2460, 2461, 2462, 2463, 2464, 2473.

P O S I T I O N OF TH E D I T C H IN R E L A T I O N T O S E C O N D A R Y RE M AIN S The above-mentioned southern stone-rows follow the edge of the ditch in its eastern half. The stones in the northern row lie over the filling of the ditch and are somewhat depressed in this. It is only the northern stone-row that follows the edge of the ditch both at the part of the ditch running towards the north and at the part running E-W . The southern stone-row has only its westernmost part slightly over the filling of the ditch, whereas its eastern part has no clear contact with the southern edge of the ditch. In the part of the ditch which runs N -S there were found in all 8 postholes and pits, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, of which 5 are situated in the middle of the ditch and 3 at its western edge. (See special descriptions.) The following observations concerning the stratigraphy could be made concerning these postholes and pits. (See main plan and especially the description and plans of the postholes.) Nos. 5, 8, 1 are overlaid by the filling of the ditch and therefore these postholes either belong to the same building-phase as the ditch, or are older. Nos. 3 and 2 have both been dug right through the filling of the ditch and were there­ fore constructed secondarily in relation to the filling of the ditch. No. 9 belongs, however, to the same phase as postholes Nos. 5, 8 and 1, since it is overlaid by the filling of the ditch and moreover by a stone which forms part of the stone-row along the northern edge of the ditch. The connection between Nos. 6, 7 and the ditch is not clear. At squares G 12-13 the ditch is overlaid by a hearth, No. 54, consisting of a single layer of brittle-burnt stones.

T H E N O R T H E R N ST O N E -R O W PL i andfig. 14. Before the investigation the upper parts of some of the larger stones were visible above ground. The stone-row which follows an almost straight line, can be followed along a stretch of 17.2 m in an E N E-W SW direction between R 4 and M 21. The stones generally measure 0.5-0.7 m. The height of the stones is 0.2-0.3 m. The row is slightly distorted. South of it the gravel filling and the overlying culture layer lay directly against the stone-row. Between P-Q, 4-8 there extends a stone packing towards the south, joining the stone-row. Between the two end-points of the stone-row there is a difference in level of 15-20 cm and the heights of the upper surfaces of the stones diminish more or less gradually. The stone-row rested on a layer, 0.05-0.08 m thick, of dark culture soil containing few artefacts.

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In squares K -M 19 there were three stones in a row, at right-angles to the above-mentioned stone-row. These also rested on dark culture soil. They were at a somewhat higher level than the stone-row, owing to the sloping of the terrace towards the north. Along the inner edge of the northern stone-row the layer of culture soil was very heavy and seemed to have been gathered against the stones. The same seemed also to be the case with gravel-filling. At the western end of the stone-row below the stones and the gravel-filling was the pit nr 70. See special description of nr 70.

THE “ ROAD” PI 5 : * Almost at right angles to the northern stone-row there was on the terrace slope a stone-paved, road-like construction running N -S between P 12 and O 14, V 13 and V 15. The construction had a breadth of about 2 m, with the eastern and western edges parallel. Its total length was 6.20 m. The road begins immediately in connection with the lower northern stone-row. Further down in the slope, at S 15-U 15, the road passes over an older building-foundation with a cellarlike stone construc­ tion, dealt with in connection with Foundation III. The road is thus secondary in relation to this. The ending of the road in the north is somewhat diffuse owing to the fact that there was a large fir-tree here whose roots have somewhat damaged the paving packing. The road ends where the terrace slope passes over into the next terrace, Foundation III. The road consisted of a single dense packing of stones measuring 0.05-0.15 m which rested on a dark ayer of humus, 0.15 cm thick, with a few artefacts. Under this layer there was silty clay. Above the stone packing there were scattered some large stones in no perceptible order, which had probably come from the terrace lying above.

T E R R A C E SLOPE PL i andfig. 14. On the eastern part of the slope towards Foundation III there were scattered large and small stones in no perceptible order, probably coming from the terrace lying above. In different places there were small collections of brittle-burnt stones lying on the surface. Under these there were a slightly darkened culture layer o. 1-0.2 m deep, with a few artefacts. In this part of the terrace slope was the road-like construction described above. Between N and O 21-25, on the slope towards Foundation III there was a collection of stones, densely packed, presenting a straight edge up towards Foundation I. The size of the stones was 0.25-0.75 m. Between the upper and lower stone packing there was a difference in level of about 0.2 m. The stone packing was a single layer and was connected with car­ bon layer No. 111. Lower down in the terrace slope, within the same area, there were scattered some large and small stones in no perceptible order, which had probably fallen from the terrace.

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From N 31 and further west there could be distinguished a slightly irregular stone-row which at O 37 took a gentle curve towards the south and ended at J 36. The stones measured 0.5-1 m. Among them were two querns. The difference in level between the eastern and southern parts was 0.3 m. The stones rested on a thin layer of culture soil, 0.05 m deep. Under this was the undisturbed clay. Lower down in the slope, within this area, there were some large blocks fixed in the ground and some scattered stones which had probably fallen from the terrace.

CAR BON L A Y E R NO.

hi

IN S Q U AR E S M -Q 22-27

Within this area, under the stone packing which was found on the terrace slope, there was an irregularly delimited layer of soil with a high carbon content and with brittle-burnt stones on the surface. The upper part of the carbon layer began on the terrace itself and then went obliquely down in a northerly direction over the slope. It was 0.1-1.15 m thick. In connection with this carbon layer there was a large collection of brittle-burnt stones in M and N 27. In the lower parts of the carbon layer were found the remains of about a dozen charred oak logs. Of these, 7 lay in a N -S direction under the stones of the terrace slope, crossing 4-5 others lying below them in a roughly E -W direction. The logs had a diameter of 15-20 cm. Under the carbon layer with the oak logs there was a layer 3-10 cm thick, of pure gravel which in its turn lay directly on the undisturbed clay.

TH E P R O F IL E A T 3 M The profile at 3 m, PI. 8: 1-2 and PI. 71: 3, direction S -N from F -S for a distance of 12 m, showed the following sequence of layers: 1. Vegetation layer 0.1-0.15 m thick. 2. Dark soil, without demonstrable carbon admixture, containing artefacts. Maximum thickness at southern half 0.5 m, thinning off towards the north to 0.1 m. 3. Gravel mixed with soil; o. 1-0.2 m thick. 4. Stiff red-brown clay from G to I. Maximum thickness 0.2 m at G, thinning off towards the south. 5. Stiff green clay from I to the end of the profile at S; 0.06-0.25 m thick. 6. Stiff red-brown clay from G to O; 0.05-0.2 m thick. 7., Clayey sand from G to end of profile at S; 0.05-0.25 m thick. 8. Stratified clay and fine sand. Clear clay stratification could be observed at G at a depth of 0.7 m from the ground surface.

Constructional details observable in the profile: Between I and J the above-mentioned ditch running E -W is cut by the profile. The ditch could be observed under the dark soil. The stones, belonging to the southern stone-rows at the northern and south­ ern edges of the ditch, were laid on top of the filling of the ditch with their lower edges on a level with

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the underlying layer 4 (red clay) and 5 (green clay) according to the sequence set out above. The upper parts of the stones reached up into the dark culture layer, No. 2. The ditch cut through layers 3-6; its bottom was in layer 6 (red clay). The section of the ditch is shallow and bowl-shaped. In the filling of the ditch the following layers could be distinguished: On top, a layer of dark carbon-mixed soil, 0.2 m thick, which not only was quite distinct from the surrounding clay layer but was also clearly delimited upwards from the covering layer of dark soil (layer 2). The bottom layer of the ditch consisted of grey-black silt, in parts gravelly, and mixed with small stones. At the northern edge of the ditch, immediately under and in the vegetation layer, there was a layer of small stones measuring 0.05-0.1 m. Between K and L the profile cuts posthole 17 (see special description). The same applies between M and O, where the profile cuts posthole No. 20 (see special description) and between P and Q, where the profile cuts posthole No. 24 (see special description). Concerning these three postholes, their stone linings were visible in layer 2 (dark soil) and all of them cut down into layer 5 (green clay). In that layer postholes Nos. 24 and 20 had their bottom levels, whereas posthole No. 17 went down through layer 6 (red-brown clay) and had its bottom level on the border with layer 7 (clay-mixed sand). Between N and P the profile cut hearth No. 21, consisting of brittle-burnt stones and carbon. This hearth was in layer 3 (gravel mixed with earth). Under the hearth there could be observed a sand “ lens” 0.04-0.16 m thick which lay immediately above layer 5 (green clay). Further, north of the hearth it could be observed that layer 3 (gravel mixed with soil) consisted here of pure gravel to a greater extent than elsewhere.

THE PROFILE AT 8 M The profile at 8 m, PI. 71, direction N -S from G -P for a distance of 9 m, showed the following sequence of layers (on stretch G -I the profile was cut at 7 m): 1. Vegetation layer 0.1-0.15 m thick. 2. Dark soil somewhat mixed with clay, without visible carbon admixture, containing artefacts. Maximum thickness 0.3 m, thinning off towards the north to about 0.1 m and becoming thicker at the stone-row at P 8. 3. Gravel strongly mixed with carbon, between K 8 and the end of the profile at P 8. Maximum thickness 0.15 m. 4. Pure, coarse gravel with occasional larger stones. From H 7 to the end of the profile at P 8. Maximum thickness 0.2 m at L 8, thinning off towards the south. 5. Stiff green clay from H 7 north of the ditch to the end of the profile. Maximum thickness at K 8, 0.2 m, thinning off towards the north to 0.05 m. 6. Granular, stiff red-brown clay from G 7, thinning off at J 8. Maximum thickness at G 7, 0.25 m. 7. Stiff greyish clay from G 7-O 8. Maximum thickness at J 8, 0.12 m. 8. Clay-mixed sand layer of even thickness, 0.04 m. 9. Undisturbed stratified clay and fine sand.

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Constructional details observable in the profile : Immediately under and in the turf from G 7 to J 8, covering the above-mentioned ditch, there was a layer of small stones, measuring 0.05-0.1 m, appearing in the plan as an irregular packing. Between G 7-H 7 the profile cut the ditch running E-W . As at the 3 m profile, the stones belonging to the southern stone-rows lay above the filling of the ditch, apparently having fallen down from above into the latter, with their lower edges above layer 4 (pure coarse gravel) in the north and layer 6 (redbrown clay) in the south. The upper parts of the stones reached up into layer 2 (dark clay-mixed earth). The ditch cut through layers 4-6, with its bottom in layer 6 (red-brown clay). The section of the ditch was bowl-shaped, with sloping sides. The ditch had a filling of silt, partly grey-black, mixed with earth. In the northern edge of the ditch there appeared on the bottom a “ lens” of slightly clay-mixed gravel which probably had contact with layer 4 (pure coarse gravel). At K 8 layer 4 (pure, coarse gravel) was burnt red for a stretch of 0.4 m down to layer 5 (green clay) with a maximum thickness of 0.1 m. Immediately north of this began layer 3, gravel with strong ad­ mixture of carbon. At M 8 there was posthole No. 36 (see special description) which went down through layer 3 (gravel mixed with carbon), with its bottom at the transition to layer 4 (pure gravel). The same applies to posthole No. 37 at M 8. Between O 8 and P 8 there was a stone packing in the culture layer which was connected to the northern stone-row. Especially in this connection, it may be remarked that the layer of green clay ceased at the edge of the ditch. The same also applies at the 3 m profile. Phosphate specimens were taken as follows. At H 7 in the ditch, 0.5 m from the ground surface, value 300. At I 8 in layer 5, value 350; layer 6, value 90; layer 7, value 125; layer 8, value 125; layer 9, value 100.

T H E P R O F I L E A T 16 M The profile at 16 m, PI. 72, direction S -N from BG 16-Z 16 for a stretch of 31 m, showed the follow­ ing sequence of layers: 1. Vegetation layer, 0.1-0.15 m thick. 2. Dark soil somewhat mixed with clay, with carbon in parts, but with an admixture of gravel and small stones, containing artefacts. Maximum thickness 0.6 m at M 16, thinning off towards the south down to 0.06 m at A 16. Towards the south, at BA, passing over into dark soil mixed with gravel and, further to the south, into earth with occasional carbon fragments. 3. Silty clay from E 16-S 16. 4. Undisturbed stratified clay and fine sand.

Constructional details observable in the profile : Between BB 16 and BA 16 there was a carbon patch with its bottom on layer 4, maximum thickness 0.2 m. Between BA 16-C 16 the profile cut the bridle-path running N E-SW . In the profile there could be distin­ guished a gravel layer over the whole breadth of the road, immediately under the vegetation layer. Un-

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der the gravel, wheel tracks could be distinguished as impressions in layer 2. Between C 16-D 16 a pit had been excavated and was filled with dark soil containing carbon fragments and burnt bones, but with no stone filling. The depth of the pit was 0.6 m from the ground surface. The pit was dug down into the strat­ ified clay. Between F -G 16 the profile intersected the ditch cut down into layer 3 (silty clay). Compare the 3 m and 8 m profiles. Between J and K the profile intersected posthole No. 61. (See special description.) The posthole cut through layer 2 and had its bottom in layer 3. Between L and M 16 the profile intersected posthole No. 63 (see special description), which had its bottom on the border of the stratified clay (layer 4) and thus cut through layers 2-3. Between N 16 and O 16 there were large stone blocks lying in layer 2 (dark clayey soil) with their lower edges about 0.05-0.08 m above layer 3 (silty clay). These stone blocks were part of the stone-row above, running N -W . The same also applies to the position of the stones below this stone-row on the terrace slope between O and R 16. These blocks of stone were part of the upper stone-row running N -W . The same also applies to the position of the stones lying in the terrace slope outside this row of stones between O and R 16. Between S 16 and X 16 the profile layer sequence is broken by an older building-foundation with a cellarlike stone construction, dealt with in connection with foundation III.

TH E P R O F I L E A T 25 M T he profile at 25 m from E to S. PI. 71: 5. The following layer sequence could be distinguished. 1. Vegetation layer, 0.1-0.15 m thick. 2. Dark soil mixed with clay, containing artefacts, a layer about 0.4 m thick, thinning off towards the south to 0.16 m. 3. Pure gravel from K to N; thickness about 0.1 m. 4. Silt, maximum thickness at K, 0.2 m, and thinning off towards north and south. 5. Stratified clay with large stones at the bottom.

Constructional details observable in the profile : In layer 2 (clay-mixed soil) at a depth of 0.35 m between M and O the earth had a strong admixture of carbon, and in the bottom of the layer the profile cut the carbon layer No.

h i.

(See above.)

Between L and M the profile intersected posthole n o (see special description), which had a stone lining reading up into the turf layer and its bottom in layer 4 (stratified clay). Between I and J the profile intersected posthole 107 with the adjoining pit. (See special description.) T he stone lining of the posthole reached up into layer 2 (dark clayey soil) and its bottom was in layer 5 (stratified clay). The pit at I reached up into layer 2 (dark clayey soil) and had its bottom in layer 4 (silt). At E and F the profile cut the outer edge of posthole 104 (see special description).

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THE P R O F I L E A T K Profile at K from 3 m to 38 m, PL 72: 1-2 (continuation westwards to 49 m, see building foundation II). 1. Vegetation layer, 0.1-0.15 m thick. 2. Dark soil, containing artefacts, from 5-19 m mixed with gravel, from 19-25 m mixed with clay with increasing clay content towards the west, from 25-50 m containing much carbon and brittle-burnt stones. Thickness 0.2-0.3 m. 3. From K 6 -K 11, pure, brown, somewhat clayey gravel. Maximum thickness 0.12 m. 4. From K 10-K 49, silt, stratified. Thickness 0.25 m. 5. Stiff, green clay from K 3 -K 12. Maximum thickness, 0.4 m, thinning off towards the west. 6. Stratified clay and fine sand along the whole profile, from K 3 to K 12 under layer 5, from K 12 to K 49 under layer 4. At K 3 1-K 32, moraine gravel at a depth of 0.8 m.

Secondary disturbances in the layer sequence The profile cut a large number of postholes and hearths, Nos. 25, 41, 49, 70, 75, 84, 85, 122, 124. (See special descriptions.) At N 46-N 49 the profile cut the modern bridle-path going north-south, which has entirely destroyed the culture layer. Between N 43-N 49 under layer 4 (silt, stratified), there was a pit filled with burnt stones. The pit was dug down into layer 6 (stratified clay).

S U M M A R Y OF S T R A T I G R A P H Y OF F O U N D A T I O N I Before the investigation the whole area was covered by a rich vegetation layer, high coniferous trees and bushes. Only the old bridle-path was entirely open, and the area nearest this was turf covered. Here and there stones could be observed in the surface of the ground; these mainly belonged to the northern stonerow along the edge of the terrace and the stone linings of a number of postholes. In the east, above the two southern stone-rows, was a packing of small stones visible in the turf, and minor accumulations of small stones were also visible in the turf on the western part of the terrace. The turf layer had an average thickness of 0.1-0.15 m. Over the whole surface there extended under the turf layer a dark culture layer, sometimes mixed with gravel and clay, containing artefacts. The culture layer had a thickness of o. 1-0.3 m* A .gravel filling was encountered in the north-eastern part of the terrace, between o and 14 m, with its greatest thickness towards the northern stone-row and thinning out towards the south. Between K 16 and K 25 the filling consisted largely of dark-coloured clayey humus and from K 25 and westwards there was again more gravel, but now in a thinner layer. Under the above-mentioned layers there was from o to 12 m stiff, green clay with a maximum thickness in the middle of the terrace of 0.2 m. This green colouring has hitherto only been observed within this limited area and seems to be connected with the high infiltration of phosphate. Compare the values of the phosphate specimens taken in the profile at 8 m, page 67. On the western part of the terrace another phenomenon could be observed which did not occur in the

70

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

eastern part. In the lower-lying parts of the area, stone settings and postholes were wholly or partly overlayed by silt which had flowed down from the slope above. This clay in some places forms sterile layers which complicated the excavation. Under the culture and filling layer and silt there was over the whole area, with the exception of the section with the green clay from o to 12 m, a layer of light clay or silt. Under the green clay and this silt there was from o to 25 m a red-brown clay, and under this the stratified stiff clay. From 25 m and further westwards the stratified clay lay directly under the culture and filling layer and the silt.

SUMMARY CONCERNING FOUNDATION I It has not been possible during the field work to knit together the separate phenomena reported above into a definitive whole. Such connections as may exist between stone-rows, postholes and ditches etc. can only be elucidated in the course of future processing. As, however, it will probably be a considerable time before the results of this can be presented, some of the more striking details will be distinguished here. As will appear from the profiles, the culture layer was nowhere especially deep. It varied slightly, but broadly speaking it was the same depth throughout the whole area. In the eastern part, under the culture layer proper there was a gravelly filling layer, but as a rule the transition between this and the culture layer was marked by a layer of small stones measuring about a decimetre which were strewn or collected in small areas. Whether this stone setting can be regarded as belonging to a floor level is uncertain, but it undoubtedly constituted a find level, since most of the finds were encountered in immediate contact with the stones or at the same depth. At this level there were, strangely enough, objects of greatly varying ages, and thus no stratigraphic difference between finds of older and younger character could be observed.— As an example of the stratigraphic conditions it may be mentioned that two fragments of a bronze ornament of the tenth century were encountered near, and on the same level as, objects of definitely older character, and that a bronze ornament of the sixth century was found between the stones of a packing consisting of small decimetre-sized stones which protruded above the surface of the ground and concealed older con­ structions. (See description of the southern stone-rows.) The reason for this is to be sought inter alia in the circumstance that the ground was disturbed and relayered innumerable times as a result of the intensive and long-lasting settlement of the place. This is of course also witnessed by the many postholes, or rather groups of postholes, which overlie and cut through one another and thus establish their connection with various stages of settlement. The filling layers which occur under the find level proper contained almost no artefacts, only here and there a coarse potsherd or animal bone. This is indeed what would appear natural for a layer of this character. The culture layer was remarkably little pigmented and the colour became weaker from west to east. Here and there more strongly pigmented patches occurred, in most cases consisting of postholes, pits and hearths. These have been recorded in special drawings and a separate description has been prepared for each of them. Among the holes and pits encountered, numbering more than a hundred, over 80 can be classed as postholes. These have diameters varying from 0.25 to 1 m. The depth under the surface of the ground is 0.30

FOUNDATION

Fig. 14. Foundation I, central part, excavated.

BUILDING I

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

72

to 0.90 m. The overwhelming majority of the postholes have been dug down into the clay to a depth of about 0.3 m. All except seven (which are atypical in other respects also) have stone linings. A baseplate or a dense layer of small stones at the bottom is found in ten cases. Red-burnt and partly cindered clay in the filling of the holes has been encountered in seven cases. Through some upright carbon fragments which formed round rings, the diameters of certain posts can be fixed at between 25 and 45 cm. Shallow pits, which are probably not postholes, occur in 25 cases. These have an irregular, almost oval shape with a diameter of 1-1.5 m. As a rule there is no stone lining, or if such exists it is irregular. In nine cases the pits were filled with red-burnt and cindered clay, in two cases together with vertical carbon fragments forming a closed circle (post?). In seven instances the pits occurred in pairs, in six cases in direct connection with one or more postholes, in one case in connection with a hearth. Ten hearths were encountered in Foundation I. They were as a rule small and irregular, with a single layer of brittle-burnt stones. Provisionally, the following may be said regarding the ground plan of Foundation I: That the “ ditch” forms a line of demarcation has been established in the investigation of Foundation III,— is to be published in the next volume— which also had a similar ditch. Whatever function this may have had, it followed the southern, longer side of the building. By comparisons with Foundation III it is obvious that the longer sides of the building on Foundation I were slightly convex and that the gables were rounded. The length is shown by the fact that the distance from the intersection of the ditches on the 19 metre line to the easternmost part of the ditch or to the traversing stone row on the 37 metre line is about equally great. Owing to this it is possible, to so speak, to project over the ditch in all directions; in this way one arrives at a ground plan which is about 38 m long and about 10 m (?) broad, including the ditch. The correctness of these calculations is confirmed by, among other things, the fact that Foundation III presents exactly the same ground plan, although it is slightly larger. Thus one phase in the centuries-old building history of the site is represented by a long structure of which the longer sides are slightly convex. Whether this building was supported by posts cannot as yet be decided. Another phase is represented by the northern stone-row which lies at an angle to the building just mentioned. The possibility cannot be regarded as excluded that the eastern part of the stone-row was shifted out of its original position because the clay-like soil moved slightly beyond the slope, but however this may be, the stone-row appears to have had no connection with the ditch. Nor does it seem to have any actual connection with the “ road” , as is shown among other things by the fact that the road lies at something of an angle in relation to the stone-row. A preliminary classification of the postholes, according to external characteristics alone, has revealed the following, among other data: Postholes with strong stone linings going high up in the culture layer are grouped along two parallel lines along the length of the terrace about 4 m from one another. These lines run at an angle to the ditch and at an angle to the stone-rows. Consequently, the rows of postholes in question represent a particular epoch. In the western part observations have been rendered difficult by the laying down of a bridle-path in recent times, and only a few postholes have been registered there. Postholes and pits with burnt clay also proved in the main to follow two parallel lines along the length

B U ILD IN G FOUNDATION

I

73

of the terrace. Remarkably enough, they are altogether parallel to the two lines of postholes just mentioned and are therefore at an angle to the ditch and the stone-rows. The distance between the lines with the burnt clay is rather more than 2.5 m. Probably these postholes also represent a separate building epoch. The fact that they are parallel to the two rows or postholes with high stone linings cannot be accidental; it supports the correctness of the choice made and also confirms that during these building epochs the ground plan had a somewhat divergent orientation in relation to the building with the ditch. — It is worth remarking that the “ road” runs at a right angle to the rows of postholes mentioned here and there­ fore possibly belongs to the same building epoch. Thus a preliminary study reveals that at least three more or less distinct building periods can be dis­ tinguished. A more careful study of the postholes taking into account their size, depth, intersections, filling etc. would certainly give a valuable supplementation of these results.

Chapter 4

SPECIAL D E SC R IP T IO N S

No.

i. Posthole. Site J o -K o. Connected to the eastern part of the ditch. Primary. Depth: 0.55 m. Plan: oval. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.5 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel, clay and pebbles. R emarks: The posthole was situated in the eastern part of the ditch and was covered by its filling. The eastern part of the posthole was squeezed in and formed an angle of 450 against the ground-level. The posthole had been dug through the “ green” as well as the “ red” clay.

No.

2. Posthole. Site K o -L o. Connected to the eastern part of the ditch. Secondary. Depth: 0.65 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.7 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with clay (top layer); clay and charcoal (bottom-layer). R emarks: The pit was clearly dug into and through the filling of the ditch. The bottom-layer was on a level c. 0.1 m lower than the bottom-layer of the ditch.

No.

3. PI. 63. Posthole. Site N o. Connected to the middle of the ditch. Secondary. Depth: 0.67 m Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.5 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus. R emarks: The posthole had been dug through the filling of the ditch, 0.2 m below the bottom-level of the ditch.

No.

4. Posthole. Site O o. Connected to the middle of the ditch. Secondary. Depth: 0.5 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.5 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with clay. Stone-filling. R emarks: The posthole had been dug through the filling of the ditch and was slightly deeper than the bottom-level of the ditch.

No.

5. Pit. Site O o-P o. Connected to the middle of the ditch. Primary. Depth: 0.67 m. Plan: oval. Profile: bowl-shaped. Innermeasure of the pit: 1.15 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with clay and stones. R emarks: The posthole was situated in the middle of the ditch and was covered by its filling. Contemporary to or earlier than the ditch.

No.

6. Posthole. Site P o-P 1. Connected to no. 7. Placed in the western edge of the ditch. Primary. Depth: 0.42 m. Plan: oval. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.42 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with clay. Presence of artefacts: occasional burnt bones. R emarks: The western edge of the ditch bends obviously to the east at the posthole.

No.

7. Posthole. Site P i-Q 1. Connected to no. 6. Placed in the western edge of the ditch. Primary. Depth: 0.37 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.45 m. Stone­ lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and clay. Presence of artefacts: burnt bones. R emarks : The postholes have been dug in an undiversified irregular pit measuring 1.6 X 0.95 m.

No.

8. Posthole. Site J i - K 1. Connected to the western part of the ditch. Primary. Depth: 0.85 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.6 m. Stone-lining: upright stones;

SPECIAL DESCRIPTIONS

75

circular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. R emarks: The posthole is obviously older than the ditch. At the western edge of the posthole the “ green” and the “ red” clay was crowded in over the hole. No.

9. Posthole. Site K i - L 1. Connected to the western edge of the ditch. Primary. Depth: 0.38 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.5 m. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. R emarks: The posthole had been dug through the clay at the western edge of the ditch. The filling of the posthole was partly covered by the filling of the ditch and partly by a boulder, which was part of the row of stones along the western edge of the ditch.

No.

10. Pit. Site L 1. Connected to no. 12 and no. 11. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.35 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.3 m. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. Occasional pieces of charcoal.

No.

ii.

No.

12. Posthole. Site M 1. Connected to no. 13. Secondary. Depth: 0.4 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Innermeasure of the pit: 0.43 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. R emarks: The stone-lining of the posthole reached into the turflayer. Posthole no. 12 cut through a third of posthole no. 13 and is therefore obviously secondary to the latter.

No.

13. Posthole. Site M 1. Connected to no. 12. Primary. Depth: 0.3 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl­ shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.35 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. R emarks: The posthole was cut by no. 12.

No.

14. Posthole. Site M i- N 1. Depth: 0.35 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.45 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with clay R emarks: The stone-lining of the posthole reached into the turflayer. The stone-lining is placed around the inner edge of the posthole.

No.

15. Posthole. Site N i-O 1. Connected to no. 16. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.4 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.6 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and pebbles. R emarks: The stone-filling in posthole no. 16 covered even part of posthole no. 15. Their connection is however not clear.

No.

16. Posthole. Site O i-O 2. Connected to no. 15. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.45 m. Plan: oval. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.5 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and pebbles. R emarks: The eastern part of the posthole was covered by a stone-packing of stones measuring o. 1-0.3 m*

Pit. Site L 1. Connected to no. 12, no. 13, and no. 10. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.3 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.33 m. Filling: humus mixed with gravel.

N o., 17. Posthole. Site K 2 -K 3. Connected to no. 18. Secondary. Depth: 0.8 m. Plan: oval. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.3 x 1 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. R emarks: The stone-lining of the posthole reached into the turf­ layer. The stone-lining in the posthole was made of big stones, which formed a circle that bordered a hole 0.3 m diameter. The posthole cut through no. 18 and is obviously secondary to the latter. No.

18. Pit. Site K 2 -K 3. Connected to no. 19. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.55 m. Plan: oval. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.25 x 0.65 m. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. R emarks: A s in no. 19, no. 18 appeared below the gravel­ filling as a dark-coloured spot. No clear contact between no. 19 and no. 18 is apparent. In the

76

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

eastern part posthole no. 18 was cut by posthole no. 17 and is thus primary to the latter. Redburnt clay appeared concentrated in the northern part of the posthole in a layer 0.1 m T . For the rest no. 18 was filled with dark-coloured, gravel-mixed clay with bits of charcoal and burnt clay> which showed in the surface-layer. ' No.

19. Pit. Site K 3 -L 3. Connected to no. 18. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.62 m. Plan: irregular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.85 m. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. R emarks: no. 19 appeared below the gravel-filling as a dark-coloured spot.

No.

20. Posthole. Site M 2. Depth: 0.45 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.6 m. Stone-lining: bottom-slab; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with pebbles. R emarks: The stone-lining of the posthole reached into the turflayer. Over the posthole and 0.04 m below the soil-surface there was a flat stone slab measuring 0.4 x 0.2 m.

No.

21. Hearthpit. Site M - 0 3. Connected to no. 22. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.35 m. Plan: oval. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.05 m. Stone-lining: brittle-burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal. R emarks : The hearth was composed of an irregular packing of burnt pebbles and slightly charcoal-mixed humus. The hearth-packing rested on a layer of sand, which was placed on top of the green-coloured clay. The hearth was within the spread gravel-filling and was covered by a layer of gravel 0.05 m T .

No.

22. PI. 16: i. Pit. Site M 3-N 3. Connected to no. 23 and hearth no. 21. Whether primary or se­ condary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.52 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.9 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and redburnt clay. R emarks: The filling of redburnt clay was mixed with pieces of charcoal. T . of the redburnt clay 0.1 m. Dispersed stones measuring o. 1-0.3 m were found on top of a thin gravel-mixed clavey humus layer 0.03 m T . which covered the redburnt clay. The stones were visible in the humus-layer.

No.

23. PI. 16: i. Pit. Site N 3-N 4. Connected to no. 22. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.5 m. Plan: oval. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.8 m. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay.

No.

24. PI. 16: 3. Posthole. Site P 3. Depth: 0.45 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.02 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. Presence of artefacts: One crucible, find no. 2351 and one “ firesteel” of bronze, find-no. 2352. R emarks: N o real pit could be discerned as the filling of the posthole was the same as the gravelfilling that covered the whole of this area. The bottom of the posthole was on the same level as the bottom-layer of the gravel-filling, and the posthole had not been dug down into the clay.

No. 25. PI. 15: 3. Posthole. Site J 4-J 5, K 4 -K 5. Depth: 0.78 m. Plan: irregular. Profile: (cylindrical); irregular. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with clay and pebbles. Presence of artefacts: Odd fragments of charcoal and burnt clay and one fragment of a crucible, 2 fragments of clay-discs and one pot-sherd find-no. 2320. R emarks : The stone-lining of the posthole reached into the turf-layer. The stone-lining or rather the stone-packing went down to the bottom-level in the clay in the central part of the pit, but the pit widened towards the north without stones, with a filling of dark-coloured humus that had a high percentage of clay. T he pit widened also towards the south in a similar way. No. 26. PI. 14: 3, 15: 3. Posthole. Site K 6 -L 6. Connected to no. 27. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.67 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.92 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal, gravel and clay;

SPECIAL DESCRIPTIONS

77

also redburnt (yellowish) clay. Presence of artefacts: a potsherd, find-no. 2317. R emarks: The stone-lining reached into the new layer of filling-layer on top of the clay. No.

27. PI. 15: 1-2-3. Posthole. Site L 5-M 5. Connected to: no. 26. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.72 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.7 m. Stone-lining: upright stones, bottom-stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. R emarks: The stone-lining of the posthole was surrounded by the layer of gravel-filling that covered the the “ green” clay on this part of the terrace. Only the upper surfaces of the stones of the stone­ lining were visible on the surface of the gravel.

No.

28. PL 16: 2. Pit. Site M 5-M 6, N 5-N 6. Connected to no. 29. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.46 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.95 m. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. R emarks: At the bottom of the pit within an area measuring 0.6 x 0.4 m there was a layer of pebbles pressed down into the clay.

No.

29. PI. 16: 2. Posthole. Site N 5-N 6. Connected to no. 28. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.37 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.52 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. R emarks: Some of the stones of the stone-lining reached the turf-layer.

No. 30. Site O 6. Spot of redburnt clay and charcoal. T ., 0.1 m. No.

31. Hearth (?). Site K -L , 6-7. Connected to postholes no. 35 and no. 36. In the above mentioned squares the gravel-filling was replaced by clayish, dark-coloured gravel with spots of burnt clay on the surface. In L 7 close to posthole no. 35 there was a stronger concentration of burnt clay and gravel forming a pit of 0.5 m in diameter and 0.13 m deep. Posthole no. 36 was situated in L 6 , which at first appeared as a spot of what looked like clay burnt yellow. Within the area were found three whet-stones. The dark-coloured gravel had a maximum T . 0.2 m. The clay on the surface was burnt in some spots and had a maximum T . of 0.02 m. Below the gravel-filling the green-coloured clay began.

No. 32. PI. 16: 2. Pit. Site M 6-N 6. Connected to pit no. 33. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.5 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.11 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. R emarks: Redburnt clay with bits of charcoal was found within an area measuring 0.5 x 0.4 m with a T . of 0.1 m. Stone-lining appeared only at the southern side of the pit. No. 33. PI. 16: 2. Pit. Site N 7. Connected to pit no. 32. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.52 m. Plan: oval. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: c. 0.5 m. Filling: humus mixed writh gravel and clay. Presence of artefacts: 5 pieces of a clay-disc, find-no. 2354. No.

34. Posthole. Site J 7. Depth: 0.54 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.41 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. Presence of artefacts: occasional burnt bones and charcoal. R emarks: The stone-lining of the posthole reached into the humus-layer. Stone-lining only at the southern border.

No.

35. Posthole. Site K 7 -L 7. Connected to hearth no. 31. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.67 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.53 m. Stone-filling: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and redburnt clay. Presence of artefacts: objects of iron. R emarks: The stone-lining of the posthole reached into the humuslayer. The posthole was dug down in the gravel-filling with the bottom-level coming to the same height as the lower part of the gravel-filling. In connection to hearth no. 31 at the south­ eastern edge there appeared some redburnt clay.

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

No.

36. Site L 7-M 7. Depth: 0.45 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.45 m. Stone-lining? irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. R emarks: The posthole was not dug down into the clay and its filling was identical with the surrounding filling-layer of gravel.

No.

37. Posthole. Site M 7-M 8. Depth: 0.4 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.43 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. Presence of arte­ facts: one whetstone. R emarks: The posthole was not dug down into the clay and its filling was identical with the surrounding layer of gravel.

No. 38. Site J 9. An irregular spot of burnt clay. No. 39. Site L 9. An irregular concentration of burnt clay-flakes (find-no 1289) and clay-mixedgrav el. No. 40. Pit. Site J 10. Connected to no. 41. Depth: 0.78 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Innermeasure of the pit: 1 m. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. Also some redburnt clay. R emarks : The hole was covered by additional gravel-filling within the area and below this filling it was partly covered by a thin layer of clay. Below this on the surface-layer there was spread out a layer of redburnt clay within an area measuring 0.55 x 0.28 m and 0.1 m T . Below this appeared dark-coloured, gravel-mixed clayish soil. Close to the bottom of the hole the filling consisted of 0.05 m T . charcoal-layer containing big pieces of burnt clay. Around this filling following the edges of the pit there was a filling of pure gravel. A heap of stones ap­ peared in the clay at the northern edge of the hole probably constituting a filling of the hole. No. 41. Pit. Site K 9 -K 10. Connected to no. 42, and no. 40. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.7 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 1 .18 m. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. R emarks : Pit no. 41 is connected to no. 40 and forms together with this (probably) a coherent construction. The pit was cut by the obviously secondary posthole no. 42. No. 42. Posthole. Site K 10. Connected to no. 41, and no. 40. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.75 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.78 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with clay. R emarks: The posthole cut through no. 41 and is obviously secondary in relation to this. Close to posthole no. 42 lies the hearth-like construction no. 43. No. 43. Hearth-pit. Site K -L , 9-10. Connected to no. 42. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.20 m. Plan: circular. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.72 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal. R emarks: N o. 43 consists of a sedimentary layer of stones brittle-burnt resting on a filling-layer of gravel that covered this side of the foundation. The connection with posthole no. 42 is not clear. No. 44. PI. 14: 2. Hearth-pit. Site L -M , 10-11. Connected to no. 45. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.68 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.95 m. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal, gravel and clay. R emarks: The hearth con­ sisted of a flat pit dug down into the clay. The upper parts of the pit were filled up by bigger stones that reached into the turf-layer. Below these stones there was an uneven packing of stones measuring o. 1-0.2 m resting on a filling of soil-mixed gravel. Below this filling at the bottom of the pit there was a concentrated charcoal-layer a few centimeters T. The connection with posthole no. 45 is not clear. No. 45. Posthole. Site M 10-N 10. Connected to hearth no. 44. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.46 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.8 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. R emarks: The stone-lining

SPECIAL DESCRIPTIONS

79

reached into the turf-layer. The posthole was not dug down into the clay, but the bottom-level was immediately on top of the clay. The connection with hearth no. 44 is not clear. No. 46. Posthole. Site G 11-G 12. Connected to a spot not far from the northern edge of the ditch. Depth: 0.66 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.39 m. Stone­ lining: upright stones and stones at the bottom. Filling: humus mixed with clay. Presence of artefacts: burnt clay and charcoal. R emarks: At the eastern edge of the posthole there was a slab put edgewise. A number of stones, 0.5 m wide, lay along the walls of the pit down to the bottom. At the bottom a layer of very small pebbles and pieces of charcoal. No. 47. PI. 9: 4, and PI. 64. Posthole. Site I n . Connected to no. 48. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.48 m. Plan: oval. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.75 m. Stone-lining: upright stones and bottom-slab. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal, gravel and clay. Big remains of charcoal and redburnt clay. R emarks: In the centre of the hole there was on the surface of the humus-layer some redburnt clay within a circular area measuring 0.4 in diameter and below this a concentration of dark humus down to the bottom of the hole. This concentration was surrounded by vertical splits of charcoal with exception of the eastern part. This circle of charcoal-splits had a diameter of 0.4 m. The longest charcoal-split measured 0.03 m. The splits ceased to appear 0.05 m from the bottom of the hole. The dark concentration of soil was surrounded by gravel-filling mixed with clay. At the bottom of the hole in the western part there was a bottom-slab of a flat sandstone broken into several parts. No. 48. PI. 9: 4 and PI. 64. Posthole. Site I 11, I 12-J 12. Connected to no. 47. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.69 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.6 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel, clay; stone­ filling. Presence of artefacts: two goldfoils with decoration and one fragment of glass find-no. 1186. R emarks : The stone-lining which was thickest in the upper part of the posthole reached into the turf-layer. No. 49. PI. 10: 1-2-3 and PI- 63. Posthole. Site J 11-J 12, K 1 1 -K 12. Connected to no. 50. Primary. Depth: 0.67 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.20 m. Stone­ lining: upright stones; bottom-stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel, charcoal and red-burnt clay. R emarks: The stone-lining reached into the turf-layer. In the western half-part of the hole there were two millstones placed beside each other and upside down on a filling of gravel and clay-mixed dark soil. In the eastern part of the pit there was below the humus-layer a packing of red-burnt clay within an area measuring 0.5 x 0.4 m and 0.05 m T . Below the burnt clay a filling of dark, loose, charcoal-mixed soil which covered an almost even covering of thin flat stones within an almost circular area with a diameter of 0.55 m. Below the stone­ covering there was gravel-mixed dark soil to the bottom of the hole, which was situated 0.06 m deeper down. Scattered splits of charcoal appeared in the filling of the hole. No.

50. PI. 63-64. Posthole. Site K 12-L 12. Depth: 0.79 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Innermeasure of the pit: 0.8 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. R emarks : The stone-lining of the posthole reached into the turf-layer. In the centre of the hole there was a filling of dark not gravel-mixed soil; the rest of the hole consisted of gravel-mixed soil. The dark filling could be followed down to the bottom of the hole, which here had a conical form. The dark humus-core had a diameter of 0.37 cm.

No.

51. Posthole. Site M 11-M 12. Depth: 0.5 m. Plan: circular. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.15 m. Stone-lining: upright stones and bottom-stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. R emarks: The stone-lining of the posthole reached into the turf-layer. The hole was

8o

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

not dug down into the clay but only into the filling-layer, which consisted of gravel. At the bottom there was a covering of stones measuring 0.05-0.15 m. No.

52. PI. 63-64. Posthole. Site K 13. Depth: 0.45 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Innermeasure of the pit: 0.69 m. Stone-lining: bottom-stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with clay. R emarks: The stone-lining of the posthole reached into the turf-layer. The borders of the posthole in the clay are not certain.

No.

53. Heap of stones. Site L 13-M 13. Connected to stone-packing in M 13, Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.4 m. Plan: oval. Profile: irregular. Stone-lining: bottomstones; irregular. Filling: gravel. R emarks : N o . 53 was surrounded by the filling-layer of gravel.

No.

54. Hearth-pit. Site F-G, 13-14. Connected to the ditch. Secondary. Plan: irregular. Profile: bowl­ shaped. Innermeasure of the pit 0,9 m. R emarks: The hearth consisted of a single layer of brittle-burnt stones.

No.

55. PI. 64. Posthole. Site G 13. Connected to hearth no. 54. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.65 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical Inner-measure of the pit: 0.48 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with clay; stone-filling. Presence of artefacts: A few burnt bones in the filling. R emarks : In the southern part there was an upright slab which with its upper part reached the humus-layer, and with its lower part came down to the bottomclay. The stone-packing accompanied the slab downwards and consisted of stones measuring 0.05-0.15 m.

No.

56. PI. 64. Posthole. Site J 13-J 14. Depth: 0.68 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Innermeasure of the pit: 0.55 m. Stone-lining: upright stones and burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. R emarks: The stone-lining was not very big; on three sides there were deeply dug down stone-slabs put edge-wise. The bottom was damaged by a root. The upright stones were placed at a distance from each other thus indicating that an eventual posthole could have had a diameter of 0.17 m. In the filling of the posthole there appeared odd bits of charcoal.

No.

57. Posthole. Site L 13-L 14. Depth: 0.43 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.56 m. Stone-lining: upright stones, and bottomstones. Filling: humus mixed with clay. Presence of artefacts: Bones of animal and one pot-sherd, find-no. 2075. R emarks : The stone-lining of the posthole reached into the turf-layer. In the lower part of the stone-lining there were two upright stones, probably in situ, which thereby indicated that the post, which had once stood between the two stones, had a diameter of c. 0.16 m.

No. 58-60. Posthole. Site I 15-J 15. Connected to no. 61. Primary. Depth: 0.82 m. Plan: irregular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.25 m. Filling: humus mixed with clay; redburnt clay. R emarks: The hole was cut at the eastern edge by posthole no. 61. At the bottom of the irregular shaped hole there was redburnt clay along the edge, which was strongly concentrated in the northern part. The bottom was uneven with a depression (no. 59) in the middle. No.

61. Posthole. Site J 15. Connected to nos. 58-60 and no. 62. Secondary. Depth: 0.45 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus. Remarks : The posthole seemed to be dug down between posthole no. 62 and holes no. 58, 60, 59, which had thus been partially cut through.

No.

62. Posthole. Site J 15. Connected to no. 61. Primary. Depth: 0.55 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.6 m. Filling: humus mixed with clay. R emarks: The hole was cut by no. 61.

No.

63. Pit. Site K 15-L 15. Depth: 0.84 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowlshaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.3 m. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay; redburnt clay in flakes. Presence of

SPECIAL DESCRIPTIONS

8l

artefacts: potsherd no. 2077. R emarks: In the humus-layer there were a few small stones without obvious order. Below these there appeared a circular pit with darker filling of clay and gravel. The filling contained a few stones but none was burnt. Plane bottom directly on the un­ touched sedimentary clay. No.

64. Posthole. Site E 17. Depth: 0.56 m. Plan: oval. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.4 m Filling: humus mixed with clay and pebbles. R emarks: Not a very characteristic posthole.

No.

65. Posthole. Site G 16-H 16. Depth: 0.72 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.55 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with clay. R emarks: Stone­ packing present only in the western part of the posthole.

No.

66. PI. 8: 3. Posthole. Site I 16. Connected to no. 67; primary. Depth: 0.42 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: c. 0.4 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with clay. R emarks: The stone-lining reached through the humus-layer into the turflayer. The posthole had stone-lining all around except on the northern side where no. 67 cut the posthole. No. 67 was a shallow pit which in its turn was cut by no. 68.

No.

67. Posthole. Site I 16. Connected to no. 66 and no. 68. Depth: 0.56 m. Plan: oval, irregular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.3 m. Filling: humus mixed with clay. R emarks: N o . 67 had no stone-lining but was a dark-coloured oval pit. No. 67 cut into no. 66 and seemed se­ condary in relation to the latter. No. 67 was in its turn cut by no. 68 and seemed primary to the latter. The borders to no. 67 were however difficult to distinguish and the connection between no. 66, 68 and 67 was not quite clear.

No.

68. Posthole. Site I 16-J 16. Connected to no. 67 and 69. Depth: 0.65 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.5 m. Filling: humus mixed with clay. R emarks: No. 68 had no stone-lining but appeared only as a dark circular spot that went down into the bottom-clay in a bowl-shaped depression. No. 69 cut through no.68 which seems primary in relation to no. 69. No. 68 seemed in its turn to cut pit no. 67 and seemed secondary in relation to the latter. The borders to no. 67 were however difficult to distinguish and consequently the connection between no. 68 and 67 is obscure.

No.

69. PI. 8: 3. Posthole. Site I 16-J 16. Connected to no. 68 and 67. Depth: 0.46 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.55 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; bottom-stones. Filling: humus mixed with clay. R emarks: N o. 69 had a stone-lining and below this lay a flat slab measuring 0.35 x 0.38 m. Below this slab there were only a couple of stones in the northern edge which lay on the bottom-level of the hole 0.11 m deeper than the bottom-level of the slab. No. 69 cuts through no. 68 while the connection between no. 66 and 67 is not clear.

No.

70. PI. 8: 3, 8: 4, 9: 3. Posthole. Site J 16-K 16. Depth: 0.77 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.85 x 0.65 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with clay. R emarks: The stone-lining of the posthole reached into the turf-layer. Bowl-shaped bottom.

No. 71. Posthole. Site L 17. Depth: 0.57 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.87 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with clay. No. 72. Posthole. Site L 16-L 17, M 16-M 17. Depth: 0.68 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical; bowl­ shaped bottom. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.01 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus. Presence of artefacts: bones of animal. R emarks: The stone-lining reached into the turf and consisted of stones partly put edgewise. The bottom-level was bowl-shaped and went down into the untouched clay. 6 — 60153004 Helgö

82

No.

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

73. PI. 12: 1-2. Pit. Site H 18-H 19, I 18-I 19. Connected to no. 74. Primary. Depth: 0.56 m. Plan: (circular); irregular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.83 m. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay; in the middle redburnt clay. R emarks: While clearing the stone­ packing of no. 74 there appeared on a level with the stones at the southern side of the stone­ packing a circular spot consisting of only red-burnt clay and drossy blistery lumps. This spot was surrounded by dark gravel-mixed clayish soil that filled a pit with plane bottom at the same depth as the redburnt clay. The red-burnt clay formed an almost cylindrical column sharply cut down into the filling of the pit. The pit was sharply bordered from surrounding clay.

No. 74. PI. 12: 1-2. Posthole. Site I 18-J 18. Connected to no. 73. Secondary. Depth: 0.73 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.23 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and redburnt clay. R emarks: The stone-lining of the posthole reached into the turf-layer. The upper stones in the heavy stone-lining had obviously fallen down, but on the bottom-level there were stones measuring 0.2-0.6 m which formed a bottom-slab. Below these there was a very thin layer of charcoal. Beside the centre of the pit there was an uneven formation of redburnt clay and odd pieces of charcoal. This formation rested on a level that was 0.03 m higher than that of the bottom-stones. No. 75. PI. 11: 3, 13: i and PI. 64. Pit. Site J 19. Connected to no. 76. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.5 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.83 m. Filling: humus mixed with gravel; big remains of charcoal; redburnt clay. Presence of artefacts: burnt and unburnt bones, and slag. R emarks: In the middle of no. 75 there appeared a circular spot of red-burnt clay surrounded by vertical upright splits of charcoal. These formed a completely closed circle measuring 0.40-0.45 m in diameter. The redburnt clay ceased to appear just above the bottom-level of the flat pit. No. 76. PI. 11: 3 and PI. 64. Pit. Site K 19. Connected to no. 75. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.62 m. Plan: circular. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.23 m. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal, gravel and redburnt clay. Presence of artefacts: burnt and unburnt bones and slag. R emarks: N o . 76 had in the centre an unevenly bordered filling of redburnt clay with odd splits of charcoal. At the somewhat uneven bottom-level there were some scattered spots of charcoal. No.

77. Pit. Site M 19-M 20-N 19-N 20. Depth: 0.79 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.85 m. Filling: humus mixed with odd burnt stones. Presence of artefacts: some fragments of unburnt animal-bones. R emarks: The pit had no stone-lining but was obviously bordered from surrounding clay. Straight edges and even bottom. The pit was below the filling of gravel (c. 0.05 m T .) that covered this part of the terrace at the lower row of stones. On top of the gravel was the humus-layer.

No.

78. Site M 20—N 20. Depth: 0.72 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.34 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus. R emarks: Dubious as posthole. Appeared first below the layer of gravel measuring 0.05 m T . that covered this part of the terrace at the lower row of stones. No real stone-lining but a stone placed edge-wise.

No. 79. Posthole. Site E 19. Primary. Depth: 0.67 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 3.8 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel, clay and stones. Presence of artefacts: one crucible, find-no. 2178. R emarks: Odd splits of charcoal in the filling. Close to no. 79 a small pit filled with gravel and clay-mixed soil. No. 80. Pit. Site E 20. Connected to stone-heap E 21. Primary. Depth: 0.7 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.35 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling:

SPECIAL DESCRIPTIONS

83

humus mixed with gravel, clay and stones. Presence of artefacts: one pot-sherd find-no. 2108. R emarks : The stone-lining consisted only of three minor stones at one side of the pit. No.

81. Posthole. Site G 21. Depth: 0.48 m. Plan: circular. Profile: conical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.38 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. Presence of artefacts: one whetstone with grooves on both sides, find-no. 2126. R emarks: The stone-lining irregular. On one side there was an upright stone, which appeared to be a whet­ stone (see above). The pit had a rounded almost conical bottom.

No:

82. Pit. Site H 21-I 21. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.5 m. Plan: oval. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.42 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay and stones.

No.

83. PI. 65. Posthole. Site H 21-H 22. Depth: o. 57 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Innermeasure of the pit: 0.36 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel clay and stones. R emarks: At the bottom of the hole there were two high upright stones measuring 20 cm. In the filling there were stones measuring 10-25 cm and odd splits of char­ coal.

No. 84. PI. 63. Posthole. Site K 21. Connected to no. 85. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.54 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.6 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with clay, odd pebbles and stones. R e m a r k s : The relation to no. 85 is not clear as the holes do not cut into each other. No.

85. PI. 63. Pit. Site K 22. Connected to no. 84. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.57 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.82 m. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal, clay, big remains of charcoal and redburnt clay. R e m a r k s : In the middle of the hole there stood out a spot not quite circular of redburnt clay to a great extent surrounded by a circle of vertical splits of charcoal. This spot was bordered by a few small stones. The redburnt clay did not quite reach the bottom of the pit. The filling of the pit for the rest consisted of clayish soil with odd splits of charcoal. Plane bottom and clearly bordered sides.

No. 86. PI. 13: 2. Posthole. Site M 21. Depth: 0.79 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.36 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus. R e m a r k s : The stone-lining could almost be characterized as a stone-filling. Beside the bottom-stones that lay in the bottomclay, there appeared splits of charcoal. No. 86 was covered by a thick layer of gravel, c. 0.05 m T., which covered this part of the terrace at the lower row of stones. The humus-layer was on top of the gravel-layer. No.

87. PI. 13: 2. Posthole. Site L 22-M 22. Depth: 0.74 m. Plan: oval. Profile: conical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.42 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal at the bottom. Presence of artefacts: three pot-sherds, find-no. 2133. R e m a r k s : N o . 87 was covered by an additional gravel-layer, 5 cm T., which appears along the lower row of stones towards east-west. On top of the gravel-layer there was the humus-layer. The stone-lining was irregular with a stone put edge-wise. At the bottom-level there was a fixed boulder. Between no. 87 and no. 98 but clearly bordered off from these there was a small pit filled with charcoalmixed soil and one burnt stone. This was also covered by gravel.

No.

88. PI. 13: 2. Posthole. Site N 21-N 22. Depth: 0.79 m. Plan: circular. Profile: conical. Inner-

measure of the pit: 0.44 m. Stone-lining: bottom-stones. Filling: humus. R emarks : Hole no. 88 lay close to no. 86 but there were distinct borders between them. No. 88 had no stone-lining

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

but two bottom-stones of which one rested in untouched clay. At the bottom-level there were odd splits of charcoal. No. 88 was covered by a layer of gravel, c. 0.05 m T ., which covered this part of the terrace at the lower row of stones. The humus-layer was on top of the gravel-layer. No.

89. PI. 11: 2. Posthole. Site F 22-F 23. Depth: 0.92 m. Plan: oval. Profile: conical.Inner-measure of the pit: 0.6 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel clay, and stones. Presence of artefacts: a few burnt bones. R e m a r k s : Posthole no. 89 could not be seen until no. 91 and 90 had been uncovered. Stone-lining appeared only at the western edge. In the filling, which consisted of some 20 stones (fist-size), there was one piece of a quern find-no. 2141, put edge-wise.

No.

90. PI. 11: i. Posthole. Site F 22-G 22. Depth: 0.67 m. Plan: oval. Profile: conical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.5 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. Presence of artefacts: a few pieces of burnt bone.

No. 91. Posthole. Site G 22. Depth: 0.76 m. Plan: oval; irregular. Profile: conical; irregular. Innermeasure of the pit: 0.85 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; bottom-slab. Filling: humus mixed with gravel clay and stones. Presence of artefacts: two flat whetstones, find-no. 2139-40. R e ­ m a r k s : The stone-lining of the posthole reached the humus-layer. No. 92. PI. 10: 4. Posthole. Site H 23. Connected to no. 93. Primary. Depth: 0.61 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.5 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with clay. R e m a r k s : At the bottom of the pit there stood a slightly sidewards bending stone placed on its edge, 17 cm high. The rest of the stone-setting was irregular. The border towards no. 93 was not very clear but this hole, which was deeper, seemed to have cut through no. 92. No.

93. PI. 10: 4 and PI. 65. Posthole. Site H 22-H 23. Connected to no. 94 and no. 92. Secondary. Depth: 0.64 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.85 m. Stone­ lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with clay, pebbles; odd flakes of redburnt clay. Presence of artefacts: burnt bones and fragments of charcoal and one rough potsherd find-no. 2136. R e m a r k s : The posthole had an irregular stone-setting in the southern part. No. 94 and no. 92 seemed primary holes, which had been cut by no. 93. See further detailed description of no. 94 and no. 92. At the southern part of no. 93 there seemed to be a minor en­ largement of the posthole filled with clay-mixed dark soil and a few stones measuring 10-20 cm. This area was partly covered by silty clay.

No. 94. PI. 10: 4 and PI. 65. Posthole. Site I 22-I 23. Connected to no. 93 and no. 95. Primary. Depth: 0.57 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.65 m. Filling: humus mixed with gravel, pebbles, clay and red-burnt clay with charcoal. R e m a r k s : N o . 94 seems primary in relation to no. 93 which had cut its southern border. The connection with no. 95 was not clear, but one stone belonging to the stone-lining of no. 95 lay above the western border of the hole. Thus no. 95 appears secondary to no. 94. Close to one of the border-stones of no. 93 the filling of no. 94 contains a core of redburnt clay and soil with a high percentage of charcoal. This filling went under one of the bottom-stones in no. 93 and was probably connected with the dark soil-filling in this hole. No.

95. PI. 10: 4 and PI. 65. Posthole. Site I 22. Connected to no. 94. Secondary. Depth: 0.46 m. Plan: circular. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.78 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with clay. R e m a r k s : An irregular stone-lining in the western part. At the bottom a thin layer of charcoal. For the rest the filling consisted of humus-mixed clay with boulders measuring 5-20 cm. The surrounding silty clay was crowded in over the hole which thus almost got the shape of the frustum of a cone.

SPECIAL DESCRIPTIONS

«5

No. 96. PL 12: 3. Pit. Site J 22. Connected to no. 97. Primary. Depth: 0.41 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.63 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. R emarks: No. 96 was a shallow hole with a stone-packing which seemed to be a stone-lining that had come down or a filling of the hole. Between no. 96 and 97 there was no sharp border but no. 97 is probably secondary as it cut into the latter and was con­ siderably deeper. No. 97: PI. 12: 3. Site J 22-K 22. Connected to no. 96. Secondary. Depth: 0.68 m. Plan: irregular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.78 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; bottomstones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal (humus in the middle), gravel (odd pebbles) and clay. Presence of artefacts: one lump of slag. R emarks: No. 97 was in the middle filled with dark humus with odd bits of charcoal. This filling formed a pit in the surrounding clayish filling. The pit was bordered by stones of which some were put edge-wise. At the bottom of the above mentioned pit there was a flat stone which had probably served as bottom-slab. The surrounding filling went considerably further down and had flat bottom, where there was in some parts a thin layer of charcoal. Close to the eastern border 10 cm from the bottom there was a lump of slag. No. 98. PI. 13: 2 and PI. 65. Pit. Site K 22-L 22. Connected to no. 99, no. 100. Primary. Depth: 0.58 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.7 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with clay. R emarks: Below the southern border of the pit there was a lengthened pit in the clay filled with slightly humus-mixed gravel and stones measuring 0.1 m. This is probably to be looked upon as a natural gravel-lens. The stone-lining was almost circular and consisted of stones measuring 0.2-0.4 m. Close to the north-eastern edge of no. 98 there appeared below a gravel-layer 0.05 m T ., a small pit filled with charcoal-mixed soil and one brittle-burnt stone. See no. 87. No. 99. PI. 13: 2 and PI. 65. Posthole. Site L. 23. Connected to no. 98 and no. 100. Secondary. Depth: 0.8 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.4 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with clay. R emarks: The two upright stones of the posthole stood at the bottom of the posthole. The posthole cut through no. 98 and seems secondary in relation to this. No. 100. PI. 13: 2 and PI. 65. Posthole. Site L 22-L 23. Connected to no. 98 and no. 99. Secondary. Depth: 0.93 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.5 m. Stone­ lining: upright stones; bottom-stones. Filling: humus mixed with clay. R emarks: A slab put edge-wise in the upper part of the eastern edge of the pit separated this from a layer of burnt stones and dark soil that lay at this edge. The slab came high up in the humus-layer. The posthole cut no. 98 and no. 99 and seems secondary in relation to these. No. 101. PI. 14: I. Posthole. Site H 23. Depth: 0.64 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.39 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with clay. No. 102. Posthole. Site I 23-J 23. Depth: 0.6 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.6 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with clay and stones. Presence of artefacts: burnt bones. R emarks: In the filling of the pit there were stones 15-20 cm wide and odd splits of charcoal. No. 103. PI. 66. Posthole. Site K 24. Depth: o. 55 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.32 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and stones. R emarks: Appeared first below the humus-layer. A shallow hole. No. 104. Posthole. Site E 24-F 24. Depth: 0.91 m. Plan: circular. Profile: conical. Inner-measure of the

86

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

pit: 0.44 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with clay and stones. R emarks: One of the upright stones of the stone-lining reached into the humus-layer. In the filling there were splits of charcoal along the edges of the pit. No. 105. PI. 14: i and PI. 63. Posthole. Site G 24. Connected to no. 106. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.61 m. Plan: oval. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: - 0.55 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel, clay and stones. R e ­ m a r k s : The relation to no. 106 is not clear. The holes do not cut each other but were placed closely beside each other. The stone-lining of the posthole reached into the humus-layer. No. 106. PI. 14: i and PI. 63. Posthole. Site G 24. Connected to no. 105. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.73 m. Plan: oval. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.72 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; bottom-slab. Filling: humus mixed with gravel clay and stones. Presence of artefacts: grinding-stone find-no. 2138. R emarks: N o. 106 had a hori­ zontally placed bottom slab of sandstone towards the south-eastern edge. A bit higher up in the filling and further towards the west lay the whetstone (also horizontal) which seemed to be a bottom-slab for a small posthole. This possibility is confirmed by the fact that the bottomlevel lies higher up than the rest of the pit. Concerning the relation to no. 105 see special de­ scription of this hole. The stone-lining of the posthole reached into the humus-layer. No. 107. PI. 67. Posthole. Site I 24-J 24. Depth: 0.97 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Innermeasure of the pit: 0.52 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with clay and pebbles. Presence of artefacts: burnt bones. R emarks: Close to no. 107 there was a small pit filled with clayish soil and pebbles. In the filling there was a whetstone. The bottom-level of the posthole was slanting. The stone-lining of the posthole reached at its highest points up into the humus-layer. No. 108. PI. 66. Posthole. Site K 24. Depth: 0.67 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.37 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and stones. Presence of artefacts: in the upper layer of the filling there were one half of a spindle-whorl and at the bottom an astragalus find-no. 2295. R e m a r k s : A few stones reached above the silty clay below the humus-layer. The hole was filled with pebbles and black-coloured charcoalmixed soil. No. 109. PI. 64. Pit. Site K 25-L 25. Connected to posthole no. n o . Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.56 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.76 m. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal, clay and red-burnt clay. Presence of artefacts: a few unburnt bones. R emarks: N o. 109 appeared first on the silty clay-surface as a red-burnt spot without stone-packing. The red-burnt clay that was much sintered formed a pit making part of a somewhat bigger pit with strongly charcoal-mixed clay and odd unburnt bones. No. 109 was well bordered in comparison with posthole no. n o . No. n o . PI. 64. Posthole. Site L 24. Depth: 0.84 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.6 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal. Presence of artefacts: two rough potsherds and one finer with linear decoration; unburnt bones of animal find-no. 2134. R e m a r k s : The heavy stone-lining reached through the humus-layer into the turf-layer. The decorated potsherd was found below the stone-lining close to the bottom-level. No. 1 12. PI. 65. Posthole. Site F 2 5 -G 25. Depth: 0.76 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Innermeasure of the pit: 0.46 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with pebbles. R emarks: The stone-lining was somewhat uneven but at the western edge there was a distinct circle of stones. In the filling there appeared odd fragments of charcoal and at the bottom a layer of charcoal.

SPECIAL DESCRIPTIONS

87

No. 113. PL 63. Hearth-pit. Site J-K, 26-27. Depth: 0,45 m. Plan: irregular. Profile: irregular. Innermeasure of the pit: 1 m. Filling humus mixed with charcoal. R e m a r k s : N o . 113 had no stones except one heavy boulder in the eastern edge and a collection of small stones in the northern part. No. 1 14. PI. 67. Hearth-pit? SiteG29~G 30. Depth: 0.54 m. Plan: oval. Profile: conical; irregular. Innermeasure of the pit: 1.17 x 0.68 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay; stone-filling. Presence of artefacts: two potsherds. R e m a r k s : N o . i 14 had a stone-packing that was more or less oval packed down into the silty clay. Around a slab placed upright in the northern part of the pit the filling was slightly darker and the pit reached here its deepest part. The bottom-level was uneven and the shape of the pit was slightly conical. No. 115. Pit. Site I 29. Depth: 0.52 m. Plan: oval. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.69 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal an red-burnt clay (only a few fragments). Presence o f artefacts: burnt bones and burnt clay. R e m a r k s : The pit was dug between some boulders and had therefore an uneven bottom. No. 1 16. Pit. Site K 28. Depth: 0.56 m. Plan: oval. Profile: conical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.29 m. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and clay with pebbles. R e m a r k s : A small pit was dug close to a big boulder. Well bordered from the surrounding clay. Not likely a posthole. No. 1 17. Posthole. Site L 29. Depth: 0.58 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical; irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.59 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. Presence of artefacts: one pot-sherd, burnt clay and burnt bones. R e m a r k s : The posthole was dug down to the moraine and had a stone-lining which in its highest parts reached into the humus-layer. No. 1 18. Hearthpit. Site L. 28. Depth: 0.3 m. Plan: oval. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.75 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and burnt stones. No. 119. Posthole. Site H 31-H 32. Depth: 0.77 m. Plan: oval. Profile: conical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.64 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. R e m a r k s : A few stones were visible at the bottom of the layer of finds. The southern part of the posthole was packed down into the silty clay. The stone-lining can probably be characterized as an uneven stone-packing. No. 120. Posthole. Site H 33-I 33. Depth: 0.78 m. Plan: circular. Profile: conical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.42 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel, pebbles and clay. R e m a r k s : A few stones visible at the bottom of the layer of finds. The filling con­ sisted mainly of clay and the posthole was covered to a great extent by silty clay which at first seemed sterile. No. 121. PI. 65. Posthole. Site J 31. Connected to hearth no. 165. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.8 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.4 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; bottom-stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel with stones c. 0.1 m big; clay. R e m a r k s : Posthole no. 121 is connected to hearth no. 122 through a ditch that runs towards the east-west which was filled with burnt stones and charcoal-mixed soil. The posthole has obviously cut through part of the ditch. A couple of stones from the stone-lining of the posthole reached into the humus-layer. A layer of clay circa 10 cm T . (silty clay?) covers the southern edge of the posthole. No. 122. PI. 67. Hearth-pit. Site K 33. Connected to pit no. 124. Secondary. Depth: 0.54 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.0 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and burnt stones. R e m a r k s : A s to the upper humus-layer, see remarks to

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hearth no. 123. The hearth was dug down into the centre of pit no. 124, and here the clay was somewhat red-burnt. From hearth no. 122 a ditch c. 1.5 m long and 0.8 m wide stretched east­ wards; the ditch had irregular edges. This ditch was filled with burnt stones and charcoalmixed soil with a strong concentration a charcoal in some parts. No. 123. PI. 67. Hearth-pit. Site K -L , 34-35. Connected to pit no. 124. Secondary. Depth: 0.45 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.94 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and burnt stones. R e m a r k s : Within squares K 30K 38 and immediately north of them there was a layer of pebbles, which appeared already in the surface-layer. This layer of pebbles became thinner as it approached the uneven row of boulders that lay at the northern edge of the terrace. The humus-layer consisted here of claymixed soil with increasing concentration of clay towards the bottom. Hearth no. 123 lay in the clayish bottom-layer of the humus-layer. At the bottom of the pit there was a concentrated layer of charcoal 0.02-0.03 m T . The hearth cuts over the edge of pit no. 124 and is secondary in relation to the latter. No. 124. Pit. Site J-L , 32-34. Connected to hearth no. 122, no. 123. Primary. Depth: 0.78 m. Plan: • circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.79 m. Filling: silty clay and stones. Presence of artefacts: in the bottom-layer of the filling: a whetstone, a loom-weight and a tooth of animal, find-no. 2279. R e m a r k s : The bottom of the pit was almost even and its edges slanting. The filling consisted of clean, hard clay and stones measuring o. 1-0.2 m. The stone-filling was connected to a boulder. Close to the western edge of the pit a small buddha-statuette of bronze, find-no. 2200 was found. No. 125. PI. 66. Posthole. Site L 31-M 31. Depth: 0.64 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Innermeasure of the pit: 0.41 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and pebbles. Presence o f artefacts: some burnt bones. R e m a r k s : N o . 125 had a stone-lining, which consisted of two upright slabs that reached into the turf-layer. The pit in itself was not visible until the humus-layer had been removed. At the bottom-layer there was a layer of hard gravel. No. 126. Pit. Site L. 30.

R em ark s:

A shallow pit without distinct borders.

No. 127. Hearthpit. Site O 31. Depth: 0.29 m. Plan: circular. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: i m. Stone-lining: burnt stones damaged by fire. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and burnt stones. No. 128. Pit. Site O 33. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.37 m. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. No. 129. Pit. Site A -B, 18-19. Depth: 0.58 m. Plan: oval. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: i X 1.2 m. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal. Presence of artefacts: Fragment of a crucible, find-no. 2092, i fragment of a whetstone, find-no. 1845.

Chapter 5 B U I L D I N G F O U N D A T I O N II PL 5:2 and 75-76. Figs. 15-16.

F

o u n d a t i o n

II

l a y

immediately south and south-west of Foundation I and was consequently some­

what higher up on the hill slope. Like the former it extended from east to west. In the east it adjoined a large and dominating erratic block, in the west it gradually passed into the rather even but fairly steep hill slope. To the south the hill rose steeply, and to the north parts of the stone lining could be observed in the surface of the ground at the transition to Foundation I. The eastern half of the building foundation was largely destroyed, partly as a result of excavation work for a summer cottage situated in the place and partly by the former bridle-path. The latter had also damaged the western part of the foundation. Before the investigation it was covered with larches and deciduous trees. Owing to this recent damage and also owing to the complicated stratigraphy (see below) Foundation II does not present a uniform character. In what follows, the constructional details are therefore described according to a rather schematic division of the material, in which the eastern part of the foundation forms one section and the western part another.

EASTERN PART 2j m Une-55 m line In 1946 a small summer cottage measuring 6x4.5 m was erected here. In front of this, i.e. along its northern side, the owner of the plot made a small stone terrace about 9 m long in the direction W N W ESE. In excavating the foundations for the cottage and in laying down the terrace the underlying culture layer was damaged to a considerable extent. Damage was also caused by the building of the old bridle­ path which here separates Foundation I from Foundation II. In this part, constructional details could be distinguished in the form of four or five postholes (Nos. 132, x33 > *37 (?)> i 39 j i 4 ° m a hearth (No. 134), a patch of red-burnt clay and carbon-containing soil (No. 131) and four pits with carbon-containing clay etc. (Nos. 129, 130, 138, 141). On all this, see special descriptions. The culture layer was best preserved under the terrace of the summer cottage and was there found to be 20 cm deep.— As it proved inconvenient to move the cottage, the investigation could not be made total in this area.

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E X C A V A T IO N S AT H E L G Ö

j j m line-44 m line Foundation II was more intact here. It formed a terracelike extension in the hill slope and was bordered on the north by a stone packing which began in squares C and D 34 and extended westwards to the 44 m line, where it merged into the stone packings of some hearths or smelting ovens. To the south it was delimited against the steeply rising hill slope by a long stretch of strong pigmentation which also extended in an east-west direction from BE 32 to BC 41. Between this pigmentation in the south and the stone packing in the north there were encountered several hearths, postholes, pits etc., all of which are described under separate numbers and headings. In this part of Foundation II it was possible to observe a fairly clearly delimited layer sequence, as is shown by the profile at the 38 m line. When in the course of the investigation these layers were removed one by one the terrace character was obliterated almost entirely. In other words, the terrace was formed by a settlement proceeding over a long period. The stone packing in the north, the material of which ranged in size from 10 to 60 cm, seems to belong to one of the later building phases, as was shown among other things by the fact that it overlay several’ hearths (Nos. 148, 156, 157, 158). The stone packing was not entirely regular, but on the other hand it must be presumed that it had been deranged by the building on the site as well as by time. At any rate it presented the clear appearance of a stone terrace edge, which may possibly also have served as a building foundation. In this part of Foundation II the majority of the postholes and pits, were concentrated together with a considerable number of hearths. Concerning these see special descriptions on page 98. Unfortunately a preli­ minary examintation of the material has not made it possible to discern any definite system for the struc­ ture of the building as was the case regarding Foundation I. So far the postholes have resisted all attempts to coordinate them in parallel rows; this of course may be due partly to the fact that the different stages in the building were characterized by different systems of poles. Observations regarding the individual stages were rendered even more difficult by the fact that the cultural layer, here relatively deep, had been much disturbed during the long settlement period. A remarkable constructional detail is the long stretch of pigmentation or ditch which ends Foundation II to the south and which constitutes a kind of counterpart to the “ ditch” of Foundation I. This feature stretched between squares Be 32 and BC 41 and was about 75 cm wide. The pigmentation consisted of a strong element of carbon and burnt clay, clearly distinguishable against the surrounding clay. No con­ structional details could be observed except for a slight depression, 12.5 cm wide, which extended in a westerly direction between the 32 and 35 m lines. The pigmentation also branched off a slight distance to the south, where it descended into three small pits (Nos. 142, 143 and 144). PI. 6: 2. In connection with these pits another pigmentation was also found (No. 149), but with less welldefined limits.

TH E P R O F I L E A T 38 M Profile at 38 m from BC to E. PI. 72: 3. The following layer sequence could be distinguished. 1. Vegetation layer, 0.1-0.15 m thick. 2. Dark soil up to 0.2 m thick, containing artefacts, thinning off towards the north along the slope.

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3. Artificial gravel layer observable from BC northwards along the terrace slope to D, with a maximum thickness of 0.3 m at BA. 4. Dark gravelly and clayey soil from A, thinning off down the slope between D -E. Maximum thickness 0.2 mm. 5. Natural gravel layer. From BA down the slope, thinning off between D and E. Maximum thickness 0.2 m. 6. Silt, a natural layer 0.1-0.15 m thick. 7. Gravelly stony moraine.

Constructional details observable in the profile At BB the profile cut posthole No. 160. (See special description.) The posthole was observable in layer 3 (artificial gravel layer) with its bottom in layer 7 (gravelly moraine). At BA the profile cut hearth No. 162 (see special description.) The hearth was observable in layer 2 (dark soil), cut through layer 3, (artificial gravel) and had its bottom in layer 7 (gravelly moraine). Between BA and A the profile cut posthole No. 164 (see special description). The hole was observable in the lower part of layer 2 (dark soil) and had its bottom in layer 7 (gravelly moraine). Between A and B the profile cut hearth No. 157. The hearth was observable at the transition between layer 4 (dark gravelly soil) and layer 5 (gravel). The hearth had its bottom at the beginning of layer 6 (silt).

B U I L D I N G F O U N D A T I O N II, W E S T E R N PAR T

(44-53 m ) The western part presented the outward appearance of a natural hill slope. This slope extended down towards the path called Lars Kaggs stig, the only interruption being the former bridle-path. Foundation II therefore here mingled with the western continuation of Foundation I, and the whole area is conse­ quently dealt with here under the same main heading. In the investigation it also proved that the area was archaeologically very uniform. The dominating feature in the area was the large number of hearths and an extensive layer of brittle-burnt stones. With regard to the hearths (see Nos. 195, 196, 197, 199, 201, 202, 203, 205, 206, 208, 209) it may be observed that in several cases they were situated side by side or merged into one another in such a way as to make it impossible to distinguish one hearth from another. In addition, the hearths were very deeply dug into the slope which thus had become entirely obliterated. The filling consisted as a rule of brittleburnt stones and soil with a high carbon content. Here and there appeared large and small patches of redburnt clay, and in squares BB-B 44-BB-C 48 there extended a superficial layer of powdery red-burnt clay and a concentration of this (No. 196) where one could observe a large number of impressions from pegs.

92

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

L A Y E R OF B R I T T L E - B U R N T S TO N E S PL 72: 1-2. From the 33 m line to the 48 m line there extended a wide, connected layer of brittle-burnt stones, about 4 m wide but in the west considerably wider, which lay on and by the side of the old bridle-path and in the west ended in a deep pit, 6 x 2.5 m, filled with brittle-burnt stones. Under the layer of brittle-burnt stones which had a thickness of 15-20 cm, lay a thin layer of carbon-mixed culture soil with clay under­ neath. In the culture soil artefacts were found. In the layer of discarded stones two hearths were found in squares J 43 and L 44.

P I T W I T H B R I T T L E - B U R N T S T O N E S NO. 207 PI. 18: 2, 72:1-2. Position in squares Nos. L -O , 43-49. This pit was about 6 m long and 2.5-3 m wide. It extended down into an uneven clay bottom and the parts adjoining to the south and east were covered by a layer 20 cm thick of sterile silt. This silt may be assumed to have migrated from the higher parts of the slope during a late building period and it may be supposed that the sterile silt or clay also extended under the whole of this area, which otherwise is covered by brittle-burnt stones. Observations in the course of the investigation of the western part of Foundation I seem to confirm this. The silt layer thinned out at the pit and disappeared above its northern half. The brittle-burnt stones were tightly packed together and contained very few finds. Here and there,, however, some potsherds were found, and in a few cases small accumulations of these near the bottom level, where some greatly decayed animal bones and animal teeth were also found. Everywhere there were encountered pieces of burnt clay, several with plane sides. In a more superficial layer there was found a padlock of bronze (No. 2315). The edges of the pit were cut almost straight down to a depth of i m below the surface of the turf. The south-western part had a high carbon content owing to the prox­ imity of the groups of hearths.

TH E P R O F IL E A T 47 M Profile at 47 m from BC to J, PI. 6:1, 7: 1-2, 71:4. The following layer sequence could be distinguished. 1. Vegetation layer, about 0.1 m thick. 2. From BC to B, thinning out towards B, dark soil mixed with gravel, thickness about 0.15 m, con­ taining artefacts. 3. From BB-B to C, sandy, red-burnt, carbon-mixed clay, thinning out towards C, maximum thickness at B 0.25 m. 4. Dark soil with a high carbon content from A to J, the strongest concentration of carbon being be­ tween A and E, whereas from E to J only the lower part of layer 4 was carbonized. 5. From E-H , carbon-mixed silt with a maximum thickness of 0.2 m between G and H.

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93

6. Layered silt, mixed with sand from BB to D, pure from D to G. 7. From BC to H, coarse moraine gravel, between H and J sand-mixed silt. 8. Stiff clay along the whole terrace.

Constructional details observable in the profile Between C and E the profile cut through a collection of hearths (No. 201) already observable imme­ diately under the vegetation layer and stretching down to and touching the undisturbed layer of coarse moraine gravel. Between E and J the profile cut through another collection of hearths (No. 205) already observable in the lower part of layer 4 and extending between 6 and 7. A gravel “ lens” about 1 m long, thinning out in all directions, could be observed at I immediately under the vegetation layer. (Probably a recent pit.)

THE P R O F I L E AT B Profile at B from 38-47 m, PI. 71: 1. The following layer sequence could be distinguished. 1. Vegetation layer, 0.1-0.15 m thick. 2. Dark soil mixed with gravel, from B 45-B 47 containing a layer of brittle-burnt stones. Thickness 0.35 m. The layer of brittle-burnt stones passed over into a layer of carbon-mixed clay about 0.15 m thick. 3. From B 38 to B 44, a layer of gravelly clay. At B 39, a diffuse carbon patch mixed with stones, at B 41, a compact carbon layer belonging to the bottom layer of No. 174, at B 42 and B 43, No. 184 a bakingoven or cellar pit; at B 44-47, the red-burnt powdery clay which covered this area of Foundation II and the underlying hearth No. 197. 4. Between B 39 and B 41, a gravel sill cut off in the east by carbon patch at B 39 and in the west by the compact carbon layer in carbon patch No. 174. Between B 45 and B 46, a thin gravel “ lens” of gravel mixed with carbon. 5. Stratified silty clay.

THE P R O F I L E AT K Profile at K from 33-50 m, PI. 72: 1-2. 1. Vegetation layer, about 0.1 m thick; between N 46 and N 49, an old bridle-path. 2. From K 34 to 44, a layer of brittle-burnt stones about 0.2 m thick and under this a thin layer of dark soil containing carbon.— Between N 44 and N 50 the layer was replaced by dark soil with only occasional brittle-burnt stones. 3. Undisturbed clay. The layer sequence was further investigated only at the pit of brittle-burnt stone where it proved that the clay’ consisted of stratified silty clay (see description of No. 207). It is probable that this silty clay extends under the greater part of the layer of brittle-burnt stones.

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94

S U M M A R Y OF T H E S T R A T I G R A P H Y OF F O U N D A T I O N II Before the investigations the eastern part of Foundation II presented the clear appearance of an elevation, whereas the western part had no external features which differed from a natural hill slope. Because of the old bridle-path a considerable part of the terrace edge etc. had been destroyed, as was shown among other things by the fact that a considerable quantity of stones were now broken away from their original places and were collected together near the northern edge of the road. On the other hand, deeper layers were entirely intact. As will appear from the profile at 38 m and the profile along the B-line, the eastern part of Foundation II presented a deep layer sequence in which at least two stages of construction could be distinguished. These observations could be made especially along the 33-44 m line. Here it was as a rule a matter of a gravel filling. Towards the terrace edge and the stone lining between the 34 and 42 m lines the layer sequence was obliterated, probably because the stone lining was constructed during a late building stage and the layer sequence was then disturbed. Artefacts were encountered in one culture layer lying near the surface and in one lying deeper. The whole of the eastern part of the foundation was more or less artificial and the original hill slope proved relatively even. In the east-west direction the building foundation had an almost horizontal bottom plan. On Foundation II silty clay occurred to a considerably greater extent than on Foundation I. In some places it was fully 0.2 m thick. This silty clay, like the artificial gravel filling, overlay constructional details in some parts (see No. 141). In the western part of the foundation the carbon-mixed culture soil occurred as a rule immediately under the vegetation layer and under this was the undisturbed layer se­ quence of gravel and clay or silty clay, gravel, stratified clay and so on.

G E N E R A L S U M M A R Y C O N C E R N I N G F O U N D A T I O N II The eastern part of Foundation II up to the 44 m line was characterized above all by the strong stone lining along the northern edge as well as by the long stretch of pigmentation along the southern edge, which however ceased between the 41 and the 42 m lines. Between this lay most of the postholes, and the im­ mediate impression was gained that this part of the foundation formed a constructive unit. The stone-laid northern side may constitute the foundation for a wall, as was the case with Foundation I, and the pig­ mentation along the southern edge may be the remains of the southern walls of the same building. This, however, is not at present clear. On Foundation II there were 33 holes which can be classified as postholes. The great majority of these had a total depth of 0.5-0.8 m below the surface of the ground and were dug down into the undisturbed clay. The diameter of the holes varied from 0.31 to 1 m, most of them however having a diameter of about 0.5 m. A noteworthy feature was the rectangular hole No. 169. In most cases there was a stone lining, often with slabs placed on edge. The postholes were in some cases in direct connection with hearths; holes Nos. 163, 164 and 166 were connected with hearth 162, hole No. 188 with hearth 185 and hole No. 190 with hearth 191; hole No. 204, which in other respects also was atypical, was connected with hearth 203.

FOUNDATION

Fig. 15. Foundation II, western part excavated.

BUILDING II 95

96

E X C A V A T IO N S AT H E L G Ö

Fig. 16. Foundation detail from the western part, excavated.

Red-burnt clay in the surface layer occurred in 8 postholes, 4 of which, however, lay within the area of Foundation II which was also covered with red-burnt clay. In addition to postholes there were also pits on other kinds. Among these may be distinguished two (Nos. 138 and 184), which differ markedly from the others. One of these may be a cellar pit (No. 138) and the other a baking-oven (No. 184).— Nos. 129, 130 and 141 are probably refuse pits.— The large pit of discarded stones (No. 207) is of more uncertain character. Its size and the fact that its edges are cut down straight into the clay shows that it was intentionally made. However, it cannot at present definitely be said whether it was connected with a building foundation, hearth or smelting-oven or perhaps had provided clay for some special purpose. The largest number of hearths occurred in the western part of Foundation II, but several were also encountered in the eastern part. Thus hearths and carbon pits were found there both in the upper and the lower culture layers, which could be distinguished in the eastern part of the foundation. In the upper culture layer were Nos. 146, 147, 162, 176, 188 and 198; in the lower culture layer were Nos. 148, 153, i 55 > 1 57 ’ i 58> *73 - J 74 and B 39 Of the hearths, only a few were of ordinary type; most of them formed hearth pits 1-2 m in diameter and were deeply dug down into the hill slope. Often, especially in the western part, they were placed close side by side— probably at different periods— and thus formed irregular contours and merged more or less indistinguishably into one another. They were as a rule filled with brittle-burnt stones, red-burnt clay and carbon. The collection of hearths in the western part was especially characterized by the deeply excavated vertical edge towards the hill slope, where the brittle-burnt stones lay in a layer half a metre deep. Towards the north the stone filling thinned out and the hearths in this part were almost entirely

BUILDING

F O U N D A T I O N II

97

open. Probably this was because it was desired to utilize the current of air up the slope in order to obtain a more intense heat.— Practical experiments on the site showed that the draught was extremely effective and well fitted to increase the heat in the hearths. The hearths here referred to are not only distinguished from ordinary cooking hearths by their construc­ tional appearance; they probably also had an entirely different use. A large quantity of fragments of crucibles were found in their neighbourhood, together with slag and iron, which makes it probable that the hearths were used in connection with metal-working. It has not been possible to establish whether they were also used in the actual smelting of march ore. Thus, in none of the hearths was slag found in situ. The extensive layer of brittle-burnt stones which stretched from the 33 m line westwards to the large pit of brittle-burnt stones was obviously largely derived from the hearth installations. A remarkable feature, however, is the very flat extent of the layer. In part this may have been occasioned secondarily as a result of the road which goes through the central part of the layer, but it may also be a question of an intentionally laid plane stone setting which formed a constructional element in a prehistoric building.

Chapter 6

SPECIAL D ESCR IP T IO N S

No. 131 . Patches of carbon-mixed soil and red-burnt clay From B 23 to C 27 there stretched an irregular layer, about 20 cm thick, of humus strongly mixed with carbon and adjoining redburnt clay. This layer passed over southwards and westwards into the remains of the culture layer, which in this area was largely destroyed. In spite of the fact that measures taken in recent times had made observations difficult, the sharp delimitation of the carbon patches north­ wards and eastwards deserves a certain amount of attention, as does also its direction, which largely cor­ responds to that of the foundation. In other words, it may indicate the burnt remains of the corner of a building.— In this carbon-mixed layer and in the culture layer near it there were encountered a number of artefacts.

No. 138. Cellar-pit? PI. 66. In squares BD and BC 31 and 32 there was an almost rectangular pit measuring 3 x 2.6 m and 0.40 m deep under the surface of the turf with a dense, flat collection of stones in one layer. The easternmost part of the pit lay under the summer cottage and had been destroyed during the building of the latter. The filling of the pit consisted, immediately under the turf surface, of clayey and gravelly culture soil, under this clayey culture soil, and, last of all, a layer of culture soil, 5 cm thick, strongly mixed with carbon. The edges of the pit were clearly marked in relation to the surrounding layers of soil, which consisted mostly of clay. The layer strongly mixed with carbon was distinguished from the southern pit-edge by a shallow excavation about 8 cm deep (No. 135), and a corresponding but somewhat wider excavation (ditch) could be observed at the northern edge ot the pit (No. 136). The stone setting, which consisted of stones measuring 10-60 cm, did not form an obvious construc­ tional unit. Owing to its position on the surface and to the building of the summer cottage it had been partly destroyed. However, when the looser stones had been removed the remainder seemed largely to follow the contours of the pit, although they only filled the central part of the pit. Between the stones there were found the following artefacts: an iron knife, a potsherd, a lump of slag and iron smeltings (find-no. 2466).

SPECIAL DESCRIPTIONS

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Pit No, 141, PI. 65. In squares C 31 and D 32 there was observed a pit ( 1 x 2 m), filled with dark, humus-mixed clay. It was almost oval in shape and overlaid by a layer, about 12 cm thick, of light sterile and silty clay, which had probably migrated down from the slope above. This clay layer was overlaid in its turn by the usual culture layer and turf layer. The pit provided a very clear example of this phenomenon of migrating silty clay, which could also be observed in several other connections. The silty clay was inspected at the site by experts, including Professor Gösta Lundqvist, Inst, of Swedish geological investigations.— In the pit there were found, among other items, an iron knife, find-no. 2215, and a clay-disc in three fragments, find-no. 2322.

Pit No, 184 PI. 17: 1-2 and PI. 70. In squares BA 42-BA 43, A 42-43, B 42-43 was an almost square pit with rounded corners dug down about 0.3 m into the natural base clay. The pit had a surface size of about 2.2 x 2 m. The edges cut in the clay sloped outwards. Two-thirds of the plane, horizontal bottom surface were covered by a thin layer, up to 0.05 m thick, of carbon. On the plane surface there were occasional flat stone chips, especially at the northern part of the pit. These chips, however, did not form a connected group. The edges of the pit were partially lined with stone slabs placed on edge. These occurred partly at the western part of the pit, where two large slabs remained in situ, and partly at the north-eastern part of the pit, where two slabs placed at an angle to each other formed the corner. Next to the stone slab at the northern side of the pit in the extension towards the west were the remains of a wall of small flat stones in four layers, preserved to a height of 0.25 m. These slabs and the wall obviously constitute the remains of a connected frame, possibly running round the edges of the pit. At both the eastern and the southern edges of the pit there were some stone chips, which gave the impression of having been raised at the edge of the pit. At the northern edge there was also, near the bottom edge of the pit, a deep impression in the clay from the stone slab lying near this, which had been turned over. On the flat bottom surface there were encountered some artefacts, which obviously have contact with this bottom level. These objects consist among other things of a lock with key inserted, find-no. 2481 fragments of a crucible, find.-no. 2891, 2904, 2905 and the remains of two clay vessels, find-no. 2907, 2908 and a clay-disc, find-no. 2912. The NE corner of the pit, near the two slabs placed at an angle to each other, was filled with a collection of burnt stones and carboncontaining soil. The collection of brittle-burnt stones had an irregular boundary within the pit. This collection of stones gives the impression of being a small hearth constructed in the corner of the pit. As indicated above, the southern third of the bottom surface of the pit was not covered by the carbon layer, which had a fairly straight boundary running E-W . The bottom surface of the southern portion consisted only of the natural clay base. The bottom of the pit was 0.9 m under the surface of the ground. The stratigraphy of the pit can be des-

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cribed as follows. Under the vegetation level was a culture layer, up to 0.4 m thick, covering large parts of the terrace. Under this was an obviously artificial filling of dark gravel with a strong clay content, which filled the pit. This filling layer covered large parts of the terrace also. In addition to this clayey gravel filling, the pit contained large and small stones, of which the larger ones were up to 0.4 m long. This stone filling was concentrated especially in the middle part of the northern half of the pit. The pit gives the im­ pression of having been filled up again with this stone material and the clayey gravel filling. In the surface layer of this filling there were some scattered artefacts. Because the pit has been dug down into the hill slope, its northern side is open, with the exception of the eastern portion, which is bounded by the above-mentioned slabs and remains of a wall. It is not incon­ ceivable that the western part of this side, which shows no traces of a similar stone construction, is to be regarded as an entrance opening.

No. 129. Pit. Site A -B , 18-19. Depth: 0.58 m. Plan: oval. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: i X 1.2 m. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal. No. 130. Pit. Site A -B , 17-18. Depth: 0.73 m. Plan: oval. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: i X 2 m. Filling: humus mixed with clay. No. 131. See page 98. No. 132. Posthole. Site BA 27. Depth: 0.55 m. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: Cannot be stated. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with clay. R emarks: The posthole was found below the filling of Hammarlund’s terrace, where the humus-layer continued under the cottage. No. 133. Posthole. Site B A 29. Depth: 0.57 m. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: Cannot be stated. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with clay. R emarks: The posthole was found below the filling of Hammarlund’s terrace, where the humus-layer continued under the cottage. No. 134. Hearthpit. Site A -B 30. Depth: Below Hammarlund’s terrace. Plan: four-sided. Inner-measure of the pit: 2 x 1 . Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and burnt stones. Presence of artefacts: 14 pot-sherds, burnt clay, find-no. 2467. R emarks: One homo­ genous layer of brittle-burnt stones. No. 135. See page 98 (No. 138). No. 136. See page 98 (No. 138). No. 137. Posthole (?). Site BD 31-BD 32. Connected to no. 138 and the ditch no. 135 that ran along it. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.51 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.35 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. R emarks: Not a very characteristic posthole at the end of ditch no. 135. No. 138. See page 98. No. 139. Posthole. Site BB 31-32. Connected to posthole no. 140. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.44 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.83 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal, clay and redburnt clay. No. 140. PI. 66. Posthole. Site BA 31-BA 32. Connected to posthole no. 139. Whether primary or se­

SPECIAL DESCRIPTIONS

IOI

condary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.54 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.85 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus with stones. R emarks : The upper part of the posthole was filled with stones measuring 0.25 m. No. 141. See page 99. No. 142. Pit. Site BE 33. Depth: 0.65 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.25 m. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. R emarks: A small shallow pit in connection with the pigmented area that ran along. No. 143. Pit. Site BF 34. Depth: 0.6 m. Plan: circular. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.25 m. Filling: humus. R emarks: A small shallow pit in connection with the pigmented area that ran along. No. 144. Pit. Site BF 34. Depth: 0.55 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.25 m. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. R emarks: A small shallow pit in connection with the pigmented area that followed along the pit. No. 145. Posthole. Site BD 34. Depth: 0.52 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.57 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal. No. 146. A spot of charcoal 20 cm T. in the uppermost humus-layer. No. 147. A spot of charcoal 20 cm T. in the uppermost humus-layer. No. 148. Hearthpit. Site C 34-35, D 34-35. Connected to the stone-packing on the hillside. Secondary. Depth: 0.42 m. Plan: irregular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.4 x 1,7 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and burnt stones. Presence of artefacts: Potsherds, find-no. 2313. R emarks: The hearth was found in the lower humus layer, that could be discerned in this part of the foundation. No. 150. Posthole. Site BC 36. Depth: 0.34 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.55 m. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal. No. 151. Posthole (?). Site BB 36-BB 37. Depth: 0.8 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.10 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with clay. R emarks : A shallow, not very characteristic hole. No. 152. Posthole. Site BA 37. Depth: 0.95 m. Plan: circular. Profile: conical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.5 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. R emarks: The stone-lining consisted only of two smaller stones at the south-eastern border of the hole. No. 153. Spot of charcoal. Site A 35-36. Connected to hearth no. 156. Depth: 0.6 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.6 m. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and gravel. R emarks : A pit filled with charcoal-mixed soil in connection with hearth no. 156. No. 154. PI. 67. Posthole. Site A 37. Depth: 1.06 m. Plan: circular. Profile: conical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.65 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. No. 155. Hearthpit. Site A 37. Connected to hearth no. 157. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.65 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.5 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and burnt stones. R emarks : The hearth was in the lower humus-layer, that could be discerned in this part of the foundation. No. 156. PI. 67. Hearthpit. Site A -B 36. Connected to no. 153, hearth no. 158 and no. 157. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.75 m. Plan: irregular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 1 x 1.4 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and burnt stones. R emarks: The borders to the surrounding hearths were not clear. The hearth belongs to the lower humus-layer, that appeared in this part of foundation II.

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No. 157. PL 65. Hearthpit. Site B -C 37: Connected to hearth no. 158, hearth no. 156 and no. 155, Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.5 m. Plan: irregular. Profile: irre­ gular. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.4 x0 .75 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal. Presence of artefacts: iron mounting, find-no. 2363. R emarks: The hearth has probably consisted of several hearths, at least 2 with bowl-shaped profile. The borders to surrounding hearths were not clear. The hearth belonged to the lower humus-layer, that ap­ peared in this part of the foundation. No. 158. PI. 67. Hearthpit. Site C 36-37. Connected to hearth no. 156 and no. 157. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.6 m. Plan: oval. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.1 x 1.2 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed charcoal. R emarks: The borders to the surrounding hearths were not clear. The hearth was in the lower humuslayer, that appeared in this part of foundation II. No. 159. Pit. Site D 37. Connected to the stone-heaps in the hillside. Depth: 0.49 m. Plan: oval. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.44 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. R emarks: A shallow pit in the clay. No. 160. Posthole. Site BB 37. Connected to hearth no. 162. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.52 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.5 m. Stone­ lining: upright, burnt stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and burnt stones. R emarks : The filling consisted of humus with odd fragments of charcoal and some pebbles. Towards the west the stone-packing was heavy and went down to the bottom. The packing consisted there of burnt stones. The northern side of the hole cut through clay, while the bot­ tom and the rest of the hole consisted of clay-mixed gravel. No. 161. Posthole. Site BC 39-BB 39. Depth: 0.68 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.6 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal. R emarks: The hole was dug down into gravel-mixed clay. In the eastern edge the clay was cleaner and came up into a projection. Towards the north the pit was bordered by a big boulder. In the filling there were odd splits of charcoal. No. 162. Hearthpit. Site BB 37-BB 38. Connected to postholes nos. 163, 165, 166. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.65 m. Plan: oval. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: c. 1 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal. Presence of artefacts: 1 piece of iron-slag, find-no. 2063. R emarks: The stones in the hearth were badly brittleburnt. No. 163. Posthole. Site BB 38. Connected to hearth no. 162, posthole no. 166. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.64 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical; irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.32 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. R emarks: Only upright stones at the southern edge. The border to no. 166 was not clear, but they were all the same two different holes. No. 164. Posthole. Site B A -A 37. Connected to hearth 155. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.75 m. Plan: oval. Profile: conical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.5 m. Filling: humus mixed with gravel. R emarks : The relation of the posthole to hearth no. 162 was not clear. Compare the other postholes around the hearth (nos. 165, 166, 163, 160). No. 165. Posthole. Site BA 38-A 38. Connected to hearth no. 162. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.57 m. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.55 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus. R emarks: A big slab put upright at the eastern edge. A clearly bordered hole with even bottom. The posthole did not go down into the clay.

SPECIAL DESCRIPTIONS

IO3

No. 166. Posthole. Site BA 38-BA 39. Connected to hearth no. 162. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.65 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.5 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus; odd fragments of redburnt clay. Presence of artefacts: A whetstone with grooves, find-no. 1449. R emarks: Upright stones at the western and southern edges. No. 167. Pit. Site D 39. Connected to the stone-heaps in the hillside. Primary. Depth: 0.52 m. Plan: irregular. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.4 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling humus mixed with charcoal. R emarks: N o . 167 did not go down into the clay. No. 168. Heap of stones. R emarks: While clearing the place, no. 168 turned out to be merely a heap of stones in connection with the pigmented area, that ran along. No. 169. PI. 9: I. Posthole. Site BB 40. Connected to no. 170. Primary. Depth: 0.92 m. Plan: four-sided. Profile: conical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.2 x 0.64 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; pebbles along the edges of the pit. Filling: humus. Presence of artefacts: 1 piece of flint, burnt clay, find-no. 2495. R emarks: A four-sided long hole, that appeared below the stone-packing of no. 170. The hole was clearly bordered from surrounding gravel. At the bottom a boulder. No. 170. Posthole. Site BA 40. Connected to posthole no. 169. Secondary. Depth: 1.09 m. Plan: (circular); irregular see remarks. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.7 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus. R emarks: The posthole appeared as an irregular black-coloured spot of dark-coloured humus with a big stone-packing in the middle. In the central part of the stone-packing there was no hole but the stones were placed directly on the gravel. In the western part of the stone-packing the dark-coloured humus continued down to the clay, thus filling a pit with circular bottom-plan. In connection with this pit there was on a higher level an upright slab. No. 169 appeared below the stone-packing and on a deeper level than posthole no. 170. No. 171. PL 65. Posthole. Site BA 39-40. Connected to posthole no. 172. Secondary. Depth: 1.06 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.5 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus. R emarks : Along the hole there were upright stones. The hole was clearly bordered from no. 172 and was for the rest well built. No. 172. PL 65. Posthole (?). Site BA 39-40. Connected to no. 171. Primary. Depth: 0.76 m. Plan: oval; distinct borders. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.35 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal. R emarks : The hole appeared when digging out no. 171, consequently the borders in the east of the hole could not be cleared. The hole can have been demolished by no. 171. In the hole there were no upright slabs, and the stone-packing was uneven. No. 173. PL 68. Hearthpit. Site BA-A, 40-41. Connected to a spot of charcoal no. 174, and posthole no. 170. See remarks. Depth: 0.5 m. Plan: irregular. Profile: bowls-haped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.8 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal; stone-filling. R e ­ marks : Hearth no. 173 appeared in the northern edge of posthole no. 170 and seems secondary in relation to this. On a lower level there appeared in the hillside hearth no. 174, which lay close to hearth no. 173. This hearth may be contemporary to or primary to no. 173. Both hearths seem untouched in relation to each other. No. 174. PL 68. Pit. Site A 41-B 41. Connected to spot of charcoal no. 173. Depth: 0.8 m. Plan: circular. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.6 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal (in the bottom-layer). R emarks: The stone-lining was in the lower edge of the pit (diameter c. 1.6 m), which was filled with gravel-mixed clay also mingled with charcoal and

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with a bottom-layer of c. io cm charcoal. In some parts there remained big pieces of charcoal. Between the charcoal and the bottom-layer there was a thin layer of yellowish gravel. In the upper corner of the pit there was a heap of stones but not like that of a posthole. See also the profile at B (from 40-41 m. PI. 71: 1.) No. 175. Posthole. Site C 40-C 41. Connected to stone-heaps in the hillside. Primary. Depth: 0.45 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.55 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with gravel (with odd burnt stones). R emarks: The posthole had in the south some upright slabs. For the rest the stone-lining had fallen down. No. 176. PI. 69. Hearth-pit. Site BD 41-42. Depth: 0.32 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Innermeasure of the pit: 0.5 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal. No. 177. PI. 68. Heap of stones. Site BC 41. Connected to posthole no. 178. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.43 m. Plan: irregular. Profile: irregular. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal. Presence of artefacts: 1 potsherd at 0.2 m depth. R emarks: Below a projection of redburnt clay and charcoal 0.2 m T . there was an upright stone in a filling of gravel-mixed clay. The redburnt clay is connected to the redburnt clay of posthole no. 178, but no. 177 was however clearly bordered from no. 178. No. 178. PI. 69. Posthole. Site BD 42-BC 42. Connected to a shallow recent pit measuring 1 m (width). Depth: 0.8 m. Plan: circular; irregular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.7 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and redburnt clay. R emarks: The actual hole lay in the western edge of a very irregular stone-lining, which went outside the edge of the pit towards the east, but only in the upper layer. The filling consisted of a projection of redburnt clay at the top. It was 0.15 m T. and 0.25 m wide (thus filling the hole on the inner side of the stones). Below this there was a layer of charcoal-mixed soil and at the bottom claymixed gravel. On the surface the redburnt clay continued outside the borders of the hole at the heap of stones, no. 177. No. 179. PI. 69. Posthole. Site BC 41-BB 41. Connected to posthole no. 180. Primary. Depth: 0.43 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.45 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. R emarks: 3 upright stones in the stone-lining, which for the rest was not very remarkable. In the filling there were odd splits of charcoal. The pit was surrounded on all sides, except the southern side, where clay appeared, by gravel. No. 180. PI. 69. Posthole. Site BB 41. Connected to posthole no. 179 and no. 181. Secondary. Depth: 0.63 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.4 m. Filling: humus mixed gravel, clay, and stones. Presence of artefacts: Undecided fragment of iron, find-no. 2487. R emarks : N o stone-lining. The hole cut through the edge of posthole no. 179 and no. 181. The filling consisted mainly of pebbles. No. 181. PI. 69. Posthole. Site BB 42. Connected to posthole no. 180. Primary. Depth: 0.5 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.4 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel, clay and stones. The stone-lining consisted only of two upright slabs. No. 182. Site B A 41-B A 42. Connected to no. 184. Secondary. Depth: 0.74 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.60 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with redburnt clay. Presence of artefacts: Sintered clay (fragments of a crucible?), find-no. 2508. R emarks: In the eastern part redburnt clay, which on the surface was very hard sintered. Stone-lining existed only at the western edge. One of the stones of the hole, which had fallen out, covered no. 184.

SPECIAL DESCRIPTIONS

i OS

No. 183. PL 69. Posthole. Site B B-B A 43. Connected to no. 184. Depth: 1.2 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.9 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus. R emarks : A regular posthole lined with stones with upright slabs. No. 184. See page 99. No. 185. PI. 68. Hearth-pit. Site C 42-43. Connected to hearth no. 198, pit no. 186, posthole no. 188. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.68 m. Plan: irregular. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.3 m. Stone-lining: stones damaged by fire. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal. Remarks : In the middle of the hearth there was a pit filled with soil with a strong concentration of charcoal. No. 186. Pit. Site D 42. Connected to hearth no. 185, pit no. 187. Depth: 0.7 m. Plan: irregular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.95 m. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and gravel. R emarks: A shallow pit with odd stones in the filling. No. 187. Pit? Site D 42. Connected to pit no. 186 and the stonepacking in the hillside. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.4 m. Plan: irregular. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: c. 0.3 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with gravel and clay. R emarks : Not dug down into the bottom-clay, but the stone-lining was placed in the loose gravel on top of the clay. No. 188. Posthole. Site D 43. Connected to hearth no. 185. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.79 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.3 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal. R emarks: Posthole with stones placed edge-wise. No. 189. Hearth-pit. Site J 45. Connected to the layer of splintered stones, which covered this part of foundation II. Depth: 0.44 m. Plan: circular. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.7 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and burnt stones. No. 190. Posthole. Site L 46. Connected to hearth no. 191. Primary. Depth: 0.75 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.28 m. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and clay. R emarks: A small posthole, which appeared below hearth no. 191. The posthole was covered by silty clay (compare the adjacent pit of no. 207). No. 191. Hearth-pit. Site K -L , 45-46. Connected to posthole no. 190. Depth: cannot be stated. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.8 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal gravel, and burnt stones. No. 192. Posthole. Site B 45. Connected to posthole no. 193. Depth: 0.65 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.32 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal, gravel, clay and redburnt clay. R emarks : The hole was partly covered by the redburnt pulverized clay, that existed in this area of foundation II. No. 193: Posthole. Site B B 45-B B 46. Connected to postholes nos. 192, 193. Depth: 0.91 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.6 m. Stone-lining: irregular. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal, gravel, clay, stones and redburnt clay. R emarks : The stone­ packing of the posthole was completely covered by the redburnt pulverized clay, which was found in this area of foundation II. No. 194. Posthole. Site B A 46. Connected to posthole no. 193. Depth: 0.88 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.5 m. Stone-lining: upright stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal, clay and redburnt clay. R emarks : In the filling of the hole there were only a few big stones, of which one was a big upright stone. Especially in the eastern part there

io6

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

existed an intermixture of charcoal. The hole was covered by the redbumt pulverized clay, that appeared in this part of foundation II. No. 195. PI. 68. Posthole. Site B A 45-A 45. Connected to hearth no. 197. Depth: 0.78 m. Plan: circular. Profile: cylindrical. Inner-measure of the pit: upright stones; irregular. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal, gravel and redbumt clay. R emarks: The hole was partly covered by the redburnt pulverized clay, that appeared in this part of foundation II. No. 196. In connection with the redburnt pulverized clay, that appeared within squares BB-B, 44-46 there was a concentration in A 45 no. 196 that consisted of harder redburnt clay in big pieces with parallel impressions of pegs (wood). The big concentration of fragments of crucibles was remarkable within this area. They were all in the surface-layer; further down where the redburnt clay ceased to appear and turned into soil with a concentration of charcoal the finds were few in number. No. 197. Hearth-pit. Site A -B, 44-45. Connected to posthole no. 195 and the redburnt clay 196. Depth: 0.65 m. Plan: irregular. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 1 x 2 m . Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and burnt stones. Presence of artefacts: Three potsherds of which one with a knoblike ear, one iron fragment, burnt clay and slag, find-no. 2470. Two potsherds, burnt clay, in some cases with impression of pegs (wood), find-no. 2477. R emarks: The hearth consisted probably of two hearths separated by an embank­ ment, 0.07 m high, consisting of charcoal-mixed gravel (see profile of B. PI. 71: 1). The hearth was covered by the pulverlike redburnt clay, that existed in this part of foundation II. The borders of the hearth towards the west were not clear, as the charcoal-layer continued 0.5 m further away than the actual hearth-pit. No. 198. Hearth-pit. Site C 43-44. Connected to hearths no. 185 and no. 199. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.58 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.1 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and burnt stones. R emarks: Plane bottom in the clay. No. 199. PI. 70. Hearth-pit. Site B-C, 45-46. Connected to hearths nos. 198,197, 201. Depth: 0.95 m. Plan: oval. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 2.4 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and burnt stones. R emarks: The hearth was dug into the hillside with an almost straight edge at the back and plane bottom. The hearth was partly covered by the redburnt pulverized clay, that was found in this part of foundation II. No. 200. Hearth-pit. Site D 44-E 44. Depth: 0.5 m. Plan: circular. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 1.2 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and burnt stones. R emarks : The hearth was dug into the hill-side with a straight edge in the slope. No. 201. Hearth-pit. Site C -D -E , 45-46-47. Connected to hearth no. 199. Depth: 0.6 m. Plan: oval. Profile: irregular. Inner-measure of the pit: 2.5 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and burnt stones. R emarks: At the northern part the hearthpit, which was dug down into the clay, turned into a conical depression. No. 202. PI. 70. Hearth-pit. Site C 49. Connected to hearth no. 203. Depth: 0.85 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 0.65 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and burnt stones. No. 203. PL 69. Hearth-pit. Site D -E , 48-49. Connected to posthole? no. 204. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.8 m. Plan: circular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 2.1 m. Stone-lining: burnt stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and burnt

SPECIAL DESCRIPTIONS

IO

7

stones. R emarks: Hearth no. 203 lay in the charcoal-layer, which covered this part of the terrace. In the south-western part was posthole (?) no. 204, which probably forms a constructive part of the hearth or is secondary to no. 203. At the western part of the hearth there seemed to have been another hearth-pit separated from no. 203 by an embankment of gravel and clay measuring 0.25 m (width). The further extension of this hearth could however not be discerned in the black charcoal-layer. No. 204. PI. 9: 2, 18: 3 and PI. 69. Posthole (?). Site D -E 49. Connected to hearth no. 203. Whether primary or secondary cannot be decided. Depth: 0.8 m. Plan: oval. Profile: cylindrical. Inner measure of the pit: 0.4 m. Stone-lining: upright stones; bottom-stones. Filling: humus mixed with charcoal and redburnt clay. Presence of artefacts: One rectangular mounting of iron and burnt clay, find-no. 2581. R emarks: The pit, that was in hearth no. 203, did not go down into the clay. The redburnt clay in the filling of the clay connected to a diffuse layer on the surface without noticeable borders of redburnt clay and charcoal, that appeared in squares D -E , 5° - 5 iNo. 205. PI. 69. Hearth-pit. Site F-J, 49-52. Connected to hearth no. 209. Depth: 0.46 m. Plan: irregular. Profile: bowl-shaped. Inner-measure of the pit: 3 > - 2 7 .

1166. Crucible, open, fragment of upper edge, blackgrey, vitrified outer surface; weight 2 g. Site M 5. 1174. Crucible, indeterminable type, fragment of bottom and side part, grey-black, slightly vitrified surface; weight 5 g. Site H 13. 1240. PI. 49: 24. Crucible, closed, fragment with wholly preserved bottom part and rear upper half with handle, grey/grey-green, highly vitrified with red spots; weight 72 g. Site G 13, +77.

Site: posthole no. 25. 2351. PI. 47: 8. Crucible, closed, fragment with preserved lip with outer casing, grey-green, vitrified outer surface; weight 17 g. Site: posthole no. 24. 2439. PI. 47: 14. Crucible, closed, fragment of the rear part with outer casing and handle, grey-green, vitrified surface; weight 14 g. Site M -N o. 2440. Crucible, closed, fragment of the rear part with outer casing and base of handle, grey/grey-yellow, partly bitrified outer surface with red spots; weight 8 g. Site: posthole no. 24.

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

224

Foundation II

broken-off handle, 1 large handle with parts of

1730. Crucible, closed, fragment of lip and bottom por­ tion with outer casing, grey-yellow, vitrified outer surface with red spots; weight 5 g. Site BB 39,

probably do not belong to the same crucible. All have

+ 216. 1814. Crucible, closed, fragment of lip and bottom part with outer casing, grey-green, vitrified outer surface; weight 3 g. Site B C 34, +215. 2058. Fig. 72:10. Crucible, closed, fragment of rear edge with outer casing and handle. Grey-yellow/greygreen, partly vitrified surface; weight 10 g. Site

grey/grey-green,

vitrified

outer

surfaces

partly with red spots; weight 54 g. Site E 48. 2387. Crucible, closed, handle with part of outer casing, grey-green, vitrified outer surface; weight 9 g. Site F 49. 2395. Blank for a crucible (?), fragment of crucible edge, no trace of outer casing, clay red-burnt but showing signs of having been exposed to greater heat;

BA 34. 2082. Fig. 72: i i . Crucible, closed, fragment of the rear edge with outer casing and a handle with a bowl-shaped depression, grey-yellow/grey-green, vitrified outer surface; weight 11 g. Screened find. 2314. Crucible, indeterminable type, fragment, nature indeterminable, grey-green, vitrified outer surface; 2348. Crucible, closed, fragment of upper edge (?) with with outer casing,

grey-green,

probably fragment of a crucible never used for smelting. Site E 49. 2395. Crucible, closed (?), fragment of upper edge, no trace of outer casing, outer surface not vitrified, fine grained, gray clay, weight 11 g. Site E 42. 2397. Crucible, open (?) fragment of upper edge (?) grey-green, vitrified outer surface; weight 4 g.

weight i g. Site K 42. vitrified outer

surface with red spots; weight 4 g. Site A 43. 2349. Crucible, closed, fragment of lip with outer casing, grey-green, vitrified outer surface with red spots; weight 7 g. Site BB 39-49. 2353. Crucible, closed, fragment with double crucible bottom (?) with outer casing, grey-green, vitrified outer surface; weight 14 g. Site A 42. 2371. Crucible,

outer casing, 1 edge-fragment with outer casing and i fragment with outer casing. The fragments

closed (?), 2 fragments with outer

casing (?). Probably not from the same crucible,

Site D 41. 2398. Crucibles, closed, 3 fragments, of which 2 with outer casings; outer casing of the third rather un­ certain;

grey-yellow/grey-green,

vitrified outer

surface, one case with red spots.

Fragments

probably not from the same crucible; weight 13 g. Site A 46. 2406. Crucible, closed (?), fragment with grey-green, vitrified outer surface with red spots; weight 5 g. Site B 42. 2409. Fig. 72: 4. Crucibles, closed, 2 fragments of which

grey/grey-green, partly vitrified surfaces with red

i of lip with outer casing, 1 edge-piece (?) with

spots; weight 9 g. Site B 40.

outer casing. Probably not from the same crucible.

2373. Crucibles, closed (?), 4 fragments of which 2 have

In the first case grey/grey-yellow, very slightly

outer casings (?), 1 consisting only of outer casing

vitrified outer surface, in the second case grey-

and i without outer casing. The fragments not

yellow/grey-green, partly vitrified outer surface;

likely from the same crucible. The three first

weight 8 g. Site B 50.

mentioned fragments with grey/grey-green vitrified

2420. Crucible, closed, 2 fragments of which 1 rather

surfaces, the remaining one with a grey-yellow

large with part of upper edge and outer casing,

surface, not vitrified; weight 20 g. Site B 49-50. 2376. Crucible, closed, fragment of upper edge of the crucible with outer casing, grey-green, vitrified outer surface; weight 1 g. Site D 50.

i smaller with outer casing; possibly fragment of same.

Grey/grey-green,

partly

vitrified

outer

surfaces with red spots; weight 15 g. Site B 46. 2429. Fig. 72: 8. Crucibles, closed, 10 fragments of which

2377. Crucible, closed (?), fragment with outer casing,

i large with lip and outer casing, 1 edge piece

grey-green, vitrified outer surface; weight 3 g.

with outer casing, and others indeterminable, all

Site C 41.

with outer casing.

2383. Fig. 72: 2-3.

Crucible, closed, 4 fragments of

which i rear part with outer casing and traces of

Not possible to establish

whether any of the fragments are from the same crucible.

Grey-black/grey-green, vitrified outer

CATALOGUE

Fig. 72. Scale i/ i.

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

22Ô

surfaces in some cases with red spots; weight 50 g.

2904. Fig. 72: 5. Crucible, closed, fragment of lip with outer casing, grey-green, vitrified outer surface,

Site A 45. 2430. Crucible, closed, fragment with outer casing (?), grey-green, vitrified outer surface with red spots;

at outer edge of lip a marked red coloration; weight 4 g. Site A 43, + 102, in the pit no. 184. 2905. Fig. 72: 6. Crucible, closed, fragment of lip with

weight 3 g. Site D 44-46. 2443. Crucible, closed, fragment with outer casing,

outer casing, grey-green, vitrified outer surface

grey-green, vitrified outer surface; weight 5 g.

with red spots; weight 10 g. Site A 43, in the pit no. 184.

Screened find. 2444. Crucible, closed, fragment with traces of outer

2911. Crucible, closed, handle with grey, slightly vitri­ fied outer surface; weight 11 g. Site B 42-43.

casing; weight 1 g. Site BA 43-44. 2457. Crucible (?), closed (?), fragment with porous,

2911. Crucible, open, 2 fragments of slightly concave

vitrified, grey-green, outer layer and plane, slightly

upper edge, the inside lined with clay; grey-yellow/

curved, vitrified, upper edge, uneven redburnt

grey-green, vitrified outer surface; weight 13 g.

inner surface,

the plane upper edge possibly

secondarily pressed together, when the crucible was white-hot; weight 8 g. Site C 45. 2469. Fig. 72: i, 9. Crucibles, closed, 7 fragments of

Site B 42-43. 2911. Crucible, indeterminable type,

fragment with

grey-green, vitrified outer surface; weight 2 g. Site B 42-43.

which i rear part with outer casing and handle with bowl-shaped depression, 1 handle with part of outer casing, 1 upper edge with traces of outer casing, 2 definitely with outer casing, 1 probably

Clay-discs Foundation I

consisting of part of outer casing, 1 with very

10. Clay disc, fragmentary, with traces of the centre-

slightly vitrified outer casing. All with grey/grey-

hole, smooth, yellow-brown surface. D. c. 8. Site

green, more or less highly vitrified outer surfaces, in one case with red spots; weight 44 g. Site A-B

face. Site P 17.

45-

2470. Crucible (?), closed, fragment possibly highly vitrified handle, grey-yellow, outer surface; weight 7 g. Site B 46. outer casing, grey/grey-green, vitrified surface; weight 5 g. Site BB 37.

hole, smooth, red-brown surface. D. c. 5. Site O 17. hole, uneven, red-yellow surface. Site O 20. 452. Clay disc, fragmentary with traces of the centrehole,

2511. Crucibles, closed, 3 fragments of which 1 lip with traces of outer casing, 2 with outer casing grey/ grey-green, more or less highly vitrified outer sur­ faces; weight 18 g. Site D 40. outer casing, grey-yellow, vitrified outer surface with red spots; weight 12 g. Screened find. fragment with

grey-yellow, vitrified outer surface with red spots; weight 4 g. Site D 38.

M 14,

736. Clay disc, fragmentary with traces of the centrehole,

smooth, grey-yellow surface. Site

H 11,

782. Clay disc, fragmentary, smooth, grey-yellow sur­ face. Site G 23. 790. Clay disc, 3 fragments of which one has traces of the centre-hole, smooth, grey-yellow surface. Site N i. 795. Clay disc, fragmentary with traces of the centre-

2519. Fig. 72: 7. Crucible, closed, fragment of lip with

hole,

outer casing, grey-yellow, vitrified outer surface;

+ 67.

weight 10 g. Site: stone-heap No. 190. 2891. Crucible, closed, fragment of upper edge, greygreen, vitrified outer surface; weight 5 g. Site A-B 42-43, in the pit no. 184.

smooth, grey-yellow surface. Site

+ 59.

+ 104.

2513. Crucible, closed, fragment of upper edge with

indeterminable type,

53. Clay disc, fragmentary, with traces of the centre304. Clay disc, fragmentary, with traces of the centre-

2478. Crucible, closed, fragment of upper edge with

2516. Crucible,

I 20, +73. 30. Clay disc, fragmentary, smooth, grey-yellow sur­

smooth, grey-yellow surface. Site

H 23,

916. Clay disc, fragmentary with 2 circles stamped near

outer edge, smooth, grey-yellow surface.

Site M 34, - 21. 990. Clay disc, fragmentary with traces of the centre-

CATALOGUE

227

hole, slightly uneven, grey-yellow surface. Site N 23. 1073. Clay disc, fragmentary with traces of the centrehole, smooth, red-yellow surface. Site H 7, + 100. 1126. Fig. 73: i. Clay disc (spout for a pair of bellows ?), entire, circular with oval section, conical centrehole, slightly uneven surface, one side of the disc is burnt red (at the narrower mouth of the centrehole), the other grey-brown. D. 9. D. of the hole i.7-2.2. Site K 7, +93. 1175. Clay disc, fragmentary with traces of the centrehole, slightly uneven, grey-yellow surface. Site H 5, + 106. 1282. Clay disc, fragmentary with traces of the centrehole, slightly uneven, grey-black surface. D. c. 6.5. Site M 27, + 12. 1216. Clay

disc,

fragmentary,

smooth,

grey-yellow

surface. Site J 5. 1342. Fig. 73: 2. Clay disc (spout for a pair of bellows ?), entire, circular, conical centre-hole with a pro­ tuberance around the narrower mouth of this, on the other side an uneven ring-shaped depres­ sion around the wider mouth of the hole, uneven, grey-yellow surface. D. 10.4. D. of the hole 2-2.7. Site L 23, + 22.

Fig. 73. Scale 1/2.

1344. Clay disc, fragmentary with traces of the centrehole, slightly uneven grey-yellow surface. Site N 19. 1444. Clay disc, fragmentary with uneven, grey-yellow surface. Site I 10. 1445. Clay disc, fragmentary with traces of the centre-

bellows), 5 fragments of which obviously only two fit together, one of these with traces of the centre-hole, cindered at the mouth, the other, partly vitrified, both with uneven, red-yellow

hole, smooth, grey-yellow surface. Screened find.

surfaces with black-green, cindered surfaces. O f

1951. Clay disc, fragmentary with traces of the centre-

the other fragments one traces of the centre-hole

hole, smooth, red-yellow surface. Site F 33. 2147. Clay disc, fragmentary, smooth, red-yellow sur­ face. Site G 11. 2191. Clay disc, fragmentary, uneven, grey-yellow sur­ face. Site S 21. 2240. Clay discs, 2 fragments, Unconnected, one has traces of a centre-hole, uneven, the other smooth with yellow-brown surfaces. Site K 31. 2240. Clay discs, 2 fragments unconnected, both edge pieces; one with flat, red-yellow surface, the other

another one has a incised, irregular groove at the edge and one is without particular charac­ teristics,

all

grey-yellow/red-yellow.

Screened

finds. 2306. Clay disc, fragment with rather smooth, greyyellow surface. D. c. 12. Site O 6-7. 2316. Clay disc, fragmentary, with a series of irregular marks running along the outer edge (nail-impres­ sions ?), rather uneven, grey-yellow surface. D. c. 10. Site L 0-1.

with uneven, grey-yellow surface. Site K -N 31-35.

2320. Clay disc, 2 fragments, probably connected, one

2279. Clay disc, fragmentary, traces of the centre-hole,

stamped with 3 uneven circles and with traces

rather uneven, grey-yellow surface. Site pit no.

of the centre-hole, both with rather smooth, red-

124. 2297. Clay discs (one of them is a spout for a pair of

yellow surface. Site: posthole no. 25. 2354. Fig. 74: 2. Clay disc (spout for a pair of bellows),

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

228

Fig. 74.

Scale 1/2.

rather less than half, with part of the conical

2322. Fig. 74: i. Clay-discs, 3 fragments of which 2

centre-hole, around its narrower opening a low

connected, all with traces of the centre-holes, un­

protuberance surrounded by a groove, the other

even, grey-yellow surfaces. Site C 32, in the pit

side flat, smooth, grey-yellow surface. D. c. 12.

no. 141.

D. of the hole 2-2.5. Site: posthole no. 33. 2425. Clay disc, fragmentary with traces of the centrehole, uneven, grey-yellow surface. Site O -P o. 2464. Clay disc, fragmentary with smooth, grey-yellow surface. Site L 0-1.

2387.

Clay disc (?), fragmentary with 2 square stamp impressions. Site F 49.

2393. Clay disc, 2 fragments, possibly connected, both from the surface near the edge of the disc; fairly even, grey-yellow surfaces. Site D 45-46. 2401. Clay disc, 3 fragments, probably connected, of

Foundation II 1570. Clay disc, fragmentary with uneven, grey-yellow/ grey-black surface. Site D 23, +72. 1811. Clay disc (spindle whorl?), fragment with traces of centre hole; somewhat uneven, grey/red-yellow surface. D. c. 4. Site BC 37. 2214. Clay disc, 2 fragments, probably connected, one with traces of the centre-hole, both with uneven, grey-yellow surface. D. c. 11. Site C 31. 2224. Clay-disc, 3 large and 10 small fragments, con­ nected, one with traces of the centre-hole, rather uneven, grey-yellow/grey surface. Site I-J 41.

which one has trace of the centre hole with a protuberance around this; uneven, grey-yellow surfaces. Site F 50. 2436. Clay disc, fragmentary with traces of the centrehole, rather smooth, red-yellow surface. Site H -I

46. 2438. Clay disc, fragmentary with smooth, grey-yellow surface. Site D 43. 2520. Clay disc, fragmentary with uneven, grey surface. Screened find. 2912. Clay disc, fragmentary with uneven, highly eintered surface. Site no. 184 in the bottomlayer.

2245. Clay discs, 2 fragments, not connected, one of which has traces of the centre-hole, and with

Oven-linings

smooth, grey-black surface, the other with smooth,

Foundation I

red-yellow surface. Site I 41-42.

1175. Oven lining (?) irregular, fragment with one

2288. Clay disc, fragmentary with smooth, grey-yellow surface. Site L 44.

vitrified, green-black surface, the revers hard, red-burnt clay. L. 2.8. Site H 15, + 106.

CATALOGUE

229

1988. Oven lining (?) irregular, fragment with a grey-

There are altogether 7 fragments of moulds described

yellow/green-black, vitrified surface. L. 5. Site

in the catalogue of finds and of these three are vague.

E 332426. Oven lining (?) irregular, fragment with a grey-

All fragments are of fine-grained, sandy, not very hard,

yellow, vitrified surface passing into red, hardburnt clay. L. 2.6. Screened find.

Only one fragment (No. 89) shows ornamental art. burnt clay. The group of aitefacts that has been given account of in the find-description characterized as clay discs are circular and bun-shaped and fitted with a centre-hole

Foundation II

which is conical in some cases. These discs may have 2428. Oven lining (?) 4 irregular, fragments with vitri­

served two different purposes; they have either been

fied surfaces passing into red, hard-rburnt clay.

loom-weights or clay spouts for a pair of bellows. In

L. 4.5-2.2. Site E 44.

some cases where obvious traces give evidence, that they

2912. Oven lining (?) irregular, fragment with one vitri­ fied, grey-yellow/green-black surface passing first into dark, red, hard-burnt clay, then into brickred clay. Site B 42-43.

are spouts for a pair of bellows, this has been remarked in the description of finds. Two complete and 56 fragments of clay discs have been found within the boundaries of the two foundations — 20 wear traces of centre-holes.

Summary concerning clay

Besides a few characteristic pieces of clay here de­ scribed as oven-linings, there are found in both founda­

Compared with the numerous fragments of crucibles,

tions a great number of fragments of burnt clay which will

that appear in both foundations, the moulds form an

be dealt with in connection with the publication of the

insignificant group.

other house-foundations.

S M E L T I N G S AN D SLAGS Iron smeltings

1321. Site L 23; weight 370 g. 1360. Site I 29, + 28; weight n o g.

Iron smeltings, whole or fragmentary, in shape circular, oval or quite irregular, upper sides often rather flat or slightly concave, under sides generally convex and uneven, colour throughout rust-brown.

1361. Site I 28, +35; weight 80 g. 1367. Site P 14; weight 170 g. 1438. Screened find; weight 70 g. 1439. Screened find; weight 240 g. 1440. Screened find; weight n o g .

Foundation I 4. Site I 17; weight 170 g. 15. Site J 18; weight 40 g.

1441. Screened find; weight 50 g. 1856. Site G 35, + 13; weight 105 g. 1864. Site E 30; weight 365 g. 3 frags. 1920. Site F 30; weight 230 g. 2 frags.

168. Site N 21; weight 115 g.

1987. Site F 34; weight 75 g.

439. Site O 8; weight 120 g.

2009. Site F 29; weight 260 g. 5 frags.

503. Site O 13; weight 50 g.

2010. Site H 28; weight 60 g.

856. Site G 22; weight 130 g.

2087. Screened find; weight 40 g.

976. Site K 24; weight 150 g.

2089. Screened find; weight 90 g.

1020. Site I 28; weight 100 g.

2104. Site E 29; weight 80 g.

1069. Site I 18, - 118; weight 80 g.

2119. Site P 19; weight 70 g.

1092. Site F n ; weight 55 g.

2149. Site R-S 30; weight 40 g.

1128. Site H 6; weight 60 g. 2 frags.

2473. Site J 3; weight 60 g.

1300. Site K 2; weight 125 g. 2 frags.

2480. Site O -S 13-14; weight 35 g.

230

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

2109. Screened find; weight 330 g. 2109. Screened find; weight 130 g. 2109. Screened find; weight 45 g. 3279. Screened find; weight 235 g. 3279. Screened find; weight 145 g.

Iron slag Iron slag,

large and small,

irregular lumps, outer

structure resembling iron smeltings but without common characteristics as regards shapes, colour throughout rustbrown.

Foundation I 19. Site I 19; weight 35 g. 377. Screened find; weight 8 g. 410. Site P 24; weight 15 g. 457. Site M 15; weight 18 g. 538. Site N 4, + 82; weight 50 g. 886. Site K 29, + 22; weight 11 g. 891. Site I o, + 134; weight 6 g. Fig. 75. Scale 1/2.

902. Site L o; weight 50 g. 945. Site N 33, - 34; weight 14 g.

Foundation II

980. Site F 3 - 1 3; weight 10 g. 2 frags. 1158. Site M 19; weight 24 g.

1501. Site D 27; weight 175 g. 4 frags.

1168. Site I 4; weight 24 g.

1718. Site BB 40, +221; weight 290 g.

1187. Site J 5, + 121; weight 36 g.

1808. Site BC 40, +231; weight 185 g.

1193. Site J 5; weight 5 g.

2042. Site D 32; weight n o g.

1216. Site B 12; weight 24 g.

2063. Fig. 75. Site BA 39; weight 750 g.

1263. Site L 29; + 107; weight 29 g. 4 frags.

2081. Screened find; weight 510 g.

1368. Site L 25; weight 10 g.

2088. Screened find; weight 50 g.

1442.

2224. Site I-J 41; weight 215 g.

1521. Site E 26; weight 29 g. 3 frags.

Screened find; weight 65 g. 3 frags.

2299. Site L 40; weight 260 g.

1698. Site E 6; weight 29 g.

2321. Screened find; weight 950 g. 2 frags.

1850. Site F 31, +36; weight 36 g.

2336. Site A 22-23; weight 105 g.

1870. Site G 35, + 21; weight 5 g.

2343. Site A 42; weight 660 g. 2 frags.

1875. Site F 36; weight 18 g.

2361. Site A 25-26; weight 200 g.

1931. Site E 31, +61; weight 14 g.

2366. Site BB 47; weight 130 g.

1943. Site E 31; weight 64 g. 3 frags.

2377. Site C 41; weight 70 g.

1954. Site I 36; weight 53 g.

2378. Site B 43; weight 420 g.

1956. Site E 30, +46; weight 28 g.

2435. Site H 46; weight 100 g.

i960. Site E 31; weight 32 g.

2442. Site E 48; weight 60 g.

1963. Site F 35; weight 18 g.

2466. Site BC 30 in the pit no. 138; weight 135 g.

1987. Site F 34; weight 22 g. 2 frags.

2468.

Site K 45-50; weight 355 g. 3 frags.

1996. Site G 34; weight 12 g.

2906.

Hearth no. 202; weight 370 g.

2020. Site E 31, +56; weight 5 g.

2912. Site B 42-43; weight 90 g.

2105. Site F 29; weigt 23 g.

2109. Screened find; weight 310 g.

2148.

Site S 27, - 28; weight 4 g.

23I

CATALOGUE

2242. Site M 36; weight 3 g.

2391. Site D 42-43; weight 25 g. 2 frags.

2297. Screened find; weight 31 g. 2 frags.

2393. Site D 45-46; weight 6 g.

2426. Screened find; weight 12 g. 2439. Site M -N o; weight 14 g.

2394. Site E -F 46; weight 100 g. 3 frags. 2397. Site D 41; weight 36 g.

2462. Site M o; weight 24 g.

2398. Site A 46; weight 30 g. 4 frags.

2473. Site J 3; weight 40 g.

2519. Stone-heap no. 190; weight 115 g. 4 frags. 2551. Hearth no. 201; weight n o g . 3 frags.

Foundation I I

Porous, vitrified slag

1501. Site D 27; weight 77 g. 9 frags. 1552. Site D 26, + 89; weight 76 g. 2 frags. 1561. Site D 25; weight 59 g. 1616. Site C 27; weight 45 g. 10 frags. 1617. Site C 27, + 91; weight 49 g. 3 frags. 1618. Site C 28; weight 59 g. 4 frags. 1619. Site B 26, + 102; weight 18 g. 1622. Site C 28; weight 40 g. 4 frags. 1717. Site BC 40, -f 220; weight 48 g. 4 frags. 1723. Site BC 40; weight 85 g. 4 frags. 1729. Site BA 40; weight 75 g.

Porous,

vitrified

slag,

irregular pieces,

cases highly vitrified with hard glassy surfaces, hardburnt clay sometimes attached to the pieces; the vitrified surfaces presenting grey-green, red-brown and blackish hues.

Foundation I 5. Site I 18, +295; weight 1 g. 15. Site J 18; weight 9 g.

1813. Site BC 41; weight 7 g. 3 frags.

532. Site Q 14; weight 2 g.

1814. Site BC 34; weight 2 g.

688. Site M 5, +91; weight 46 g.

1838. Site BB 35, + 211; weigt 34 g.

819. Site I o; weight 4 g. 2 frags.

1984. Site D 31; weight 30 g. 4 frags.

902. Site L o; weight 15 g. 5 frags.

2063. Site: hearth no. 162; weight 30 g. 8 frags.

913. Site N 6; weight 10 g.

2081. Screened find; weight 19 g.

often very

porous and light in relation to their volume; in many

966. Site P 2; weight 2 g. 2 frags.

2116. Site C 30; weight 31g.

1062. Site G 8; weight 14 g.

2256. Site G 43; weight 38 g. 4 frags.

1161. Site J 3; weight 18 g.

2261. Site K 42; weight 18 g.

1175. Site H 15; weight 11 g.

2267. Site I 40; weight 15 g. 2 frags.

1193. Site I 5; weight 2 g.

2268. Site G 41; weight 5 g.

1217. Site M 6; weight 15 g.

2169. Screened find; weight 410 g. 8 frags.

1240. Site G 13, +77; weight 60 g. 2 frags.

2270. Site H 40; weight 4 g.

1241. Site G 23; weight 75 g.

2278. Site I 43-45; weight 68 g. 4 frags.

1254. Site K 12, +63; weight 130 g. 2 frags.

2282. Site I 43; weight 4 g.

1263. Site L 29, + 107; weight 7 g. 2 frags.

2289. Screened find; weight 86 g.

1300. Site K 2; weight 13 g. 2 frags.

2292. Site J 41, - 28; weight 34 g.

1332. Site H 15; weight 19 g.

2299. Screened find; weight 34 g. 2 frags.

1436. Posthole 55; weight 35 g. 2 frags.

2301. Screened find; weight 250 g. 3 frags.

1437. Screened finds; 124 g. 30 frags.

2319. Site B 29; weight 134 g. 14 frags.

1683. Site E 7, + 124; weight 23 g.

2336. Site A 22-23; weight 63 g. 4 frags.

1698. Site E 6; weight 1 g.

2342. Site B 26-28; weight 210 g. 11 frags.

1758. Site E 21; weight 1 g.

2348. Site A 43; weight 240 g.

1784. Site L 8; weight 5 g.

2358. Site B 29; weight 20 g. 2 frags.

1943. Site E 31; weight 6 g. 2 frags.

2361. Site A 25-26; weight 31 g. 6 frags.

1956. Site E 30, + 46; weight 35 g. 2 frags.

2366. Site BB 47; weight 59 g.

1981. Site G 32; weight 15 g.

2370. Site C 44; weight 120 g. 3 frags.

2054. Site F 15; weight 4 g. 2 frags.

2372. Site BB 45; weight 15 g.

2056. Site S 14; weight 1 g.

E X C A V A T IO N S AT H E L G Ö

232

2122. Posthole 73; weith 400 g. 14 frags.

2353. Site A 42; weight 4 g.

2149.

2361. Site A 25-26; weight 25 g. 3 frags.

Site R -S 30; weight 14 g.

2191. Site S 21; weight 80 g. 3 frags.

2365. Site BB 44; weight 14 g. 3 frags.

2240. Site K -N 31-35; weight 4 g.

2366. Site BB 47; weight 75 g.

2425. Site O-P o; 24 g. 2 frags.

2369. Site B 39; weight 25 g. 4 frags.

2464. Site L 0-1; weight 10 g. 1 frag.

2371. Site B 40; weight 39 g. 2376.

2480. Site O -S 13-14; weight 35 g.

Site D 50; weight 12 g. 2 frags.

2383. Site E 48; weight 6 g.

Foundation I I

2395.

1501. Site D 27; weight 16 g. 3 frags.

2398. Site E 46; weight 4 g.

1615. Site C 28, + 94; weight 35 g. 10 frags.

2402. Site B 44; weight 22 g. 2 frags.

Site E 49; weight 12 g.

1875. Site BA 38; weight 5 g.

2407. Site B 46; weight 22 g.

1945. Site D 30; weight 4 g. 2 frags.

2416. Screened find; weight 2 g.

1979. Site A 37; weight 59 g.

2430. Site D 44-46; weight 22 g. 2 frags.

2039. Site C 30; weight 3 g.

2435. Site H 46; weight 9 g.

2051. Site A 35; weight 25 g.

2437. Site E 41; weight 9 g.

2088. Screened find; weight 10 g. 2 frags.

2438. Site D 43; weight 4 g.

2116. Site C 30; weight 65 g. i i frags.

2441. Site F 49; weight 14 g.

2169. Screened find; weight 380 g. 11 frags.

2444. Site BA 43-44; weight 98 g. 3 frags.

2222.

2453. Site F 38; weight 4 g.

Site J 41, - 9; weight 5 g. 2 frags.

2253. Site H 42; weight 23 g. 5 frags.

2466. Site BC 30 in the pit no. 138; weight 48 g.

2278. Site I 43-45; weight 10 g. 2 frags.

2469. Site A-B 45; weight 20 g.

2289. Screened find; weight 27 g. 4 frags.

2470. Site B 46; weight 5 g.

2309. Site C -D 40; weight 6 g.

2519. Site: stone-heap no. 190; weight 11 g.

2315. Site K 42; weight 3 g. 5 frags.

2508. Site: posthole no. 182; weight 90 g.

2342. Site B 26-28; weight 130 g. 12 frags.

2912. Site B 42-43; weight 114 g. 3 frags.

S TO N E Whetstones with grooves Three whetstones from foundations I and II have a rather special shape as they are fitted with oval grooves. These are in several cases glassy polished and therefore give the impression of being used for polishing some kind of object or to grind some hard material.

W. 2.2, depth 0.3), the third groove open to­ wards the end of the whetstone with very slight traces of wear and a narrow furrow in the bottom (L. 4.7, W. 2.1, depth 0.6); one of the edges of the whetstone somewhat worn; red/grey-yellow, rather coarse-grained rock. L. 25.8. W. 12.5. T. 7.4. Site:

Foundation I 2126. Fig. 76: I.

running towards the outer edge of the whetstone with a narrow furrow in the bottom (L. 2.6,

posthole no. 81. Whetstone with grinding grooves,

irregular, almost triangular shape, one plane side

Foundation I I

entirely ground with an oval smooth-ground

1448. Fig. 76: 2. Whetstone with grinding grooves,

groove in the middle (L. 1.3, W. 3.1, depth 1.2),

irregular, almost rectangular with one plane side,

the opposite side also ground and with three

in parts showing traces of wear and having in the

grooves, of which the middle one is oval and

middle an oval smooth-ground groove (L. 9.2,

smooth-ground (L. 8.6, W. 3.2, depth 1), to this

W. 2.1, depth 0.4), open towards one edge of the

corresponds a slightly worn knocked-in groove

whetstone, here damaged; the edges moreover,

CATALOGUE

233

Fig. 76. Scale 1/4.

show traces of wear, in parts faint; red-brown,

surfaces polished, grey-black, schistose rock. L.

rather coarse-grained rock. L. 20.4. W.

8.2. W. 0.9. T. 0.8. Site M 26, + 24.

16.1.

T. 5.6. Screened find. 1449. Whetstone with grooves,

165. PI. 62: 3. Whetstone, originally a parallel-epiped, irregular,

somewhat

cracked by fire, one of the two broad sides shows irregular and in parts very faint traces of wear and a few narrow furrows, the opposite side slightly worn down into a bowl shape with three narrow parallel furrows in the middle and at one edge four parallel knocked-in grooves of which three are open towards the edge of the whetstone, here damaged (L. 3-5, W. 0.5-1.5, depth 0.3-0.6); at the edge of the whetstone, at right angles to the grooves just mentioned, a further knocked-in groove, open to the edge (L. 5, W. 1.5., depth 0.5);

grey-yellow, fine-grained rock. L. 7.5. W. 3.3-1.4. T. 2.7-1.2. Site M 26, +24. 253. Whetstone, irregular, one flat, worn surface, greyyellow, fine-grained rock. L. 6.6. W. 3.7. T. 1.6. Site R 19, - 48. 453 - Whetstone,

fragmentary,

originally a parallel­

epiped (?), yellow-red, fine-grained rock. L. 3.4. W. 3.4. T. i. Site P 10, + 27. 454. PI. 62: 13. Whetstone, fragmentary, originally a parallel-epiped, dark grey, schistose rock. L. 12.5. W. 2. T. i. Site P 9, + 37.

none of the grooves shows traces of wear; one of

501. Fig. 77: 5. Whetstone, fragmentary, originally a

the edges of the stone somewhat worn; red-yellow/

parallel-epiped (?), grey, fine-grained rock. L. 3.

grey-yellow, coarse-grained rock. L. 35. W. 26. T. 13.5. Posthole no. 166.

W. 2.4. T. 0.9. Site O 12, + 46. 502. Whetstone, 2 fragments, irregular pieces, greyblack, schistose rock. L. 2.6. and 2.4, Site O 13,

Whetstones Foundation I 16. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular, damaged by fire, grey-yellow, relatively coarse-grained rock. L. 5.4. W. 4. T . 2.6. Site J 19, +79. 165. Fig. 78: I. Whetstone, regular, parallel-epiped, all

+ 29. 511. Whetstone,

fragmentary,

originally a parallel­

epiped, grey-yellow, fine-grained rock. L. 4.3. W. 3.5. T . 2.2. Site M 9, + 83. 529. Whetstone, 2 fragments, irregular pieces, greyblack, schistose rock. L. 2.4. and 2.6. Site Q 15.

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

234

Fig. 77. Scale 1/2.

537. Whetstone, fragmentary (belongs to no. 511). Site P 13. 595. PL 62: 6. Whetstone, fragmentary, a parallel­

870. Whetstone,

fragmentary,

irregular,

dark-grey,

schistose rock. L. 4.2. Site F 6, + 120. 914. Whetstone,

fragmentary,

originally a parallel­

epiped, broken off, the two broad-sides, both

epiped (?), grey-yellow, fine-grained rock. L. 4.1.

fitted with one narrow groove, grey, fine-grained

W. 1.7. T. 0.9. Site I 9 , + 101.

rock. L. 5.1. W. 3.3. T. 1.3. Site J 8, + 101. 772. Fig. 77:4. Whetstone, a parallel-epiped, darkgrey, schistose rock. L. 12.8. W. 1.8. T. 1.7. Site H 23, + 66.

922. Fig. 78: 4. Whetstone, a parallel-epiped, broken off, grey-yellow, fine-grained rock. L. 5.6. W. 1.8. T. 1.5. Site J 16, + 88. 967. Whetstone, fragmentary, some 20 irregular pieces,

819. PI. 62:7. Whetstone, fragmentary, originally a

grey, schistose rock. Maximum L. 5.8. Site M 2.

parallel-epiped (?), grey-black, schistose rock. L. 7.

981. PL 62: i i . Whetstone, a parallel-epiped, grey-

W. i. T. i. Site I o, + 153. 855. Fig. 77: 6. Whetstone, a parallel-epiped, broken off, grey-red, fine-grained rock. L. 4.7. W. 2.8. T. 1.6. Site P i , +43.

black, schistose rock. L. 10.3. W. 0.8. T. 0.5. Site O 17. 1005. Whetstone, fragmentary,

irregular, grey, fine­

grained rock. L. 3.6. W. 2.5. T.2.4. Site R23, - 90.

CATALOGUE

io n . Fig. 78:2. Whetstone, fragmentary (belongs to no. 1005). Site R 23. 1026. Fig. 77: 7. Whetstone, originally a parallel-epiped (?), broken off, dark-grey, schistose rock. L. 7.9. W. 3.2. T. 1.8. Site H 32. 1036. Whetstone, almost a parallel-epiped, red-brown, coarse-grained rock. L. 7.3. W. 3. T. 0.9. Site M 1. T058. PI. 62: 9. Whetstone, originally a parallel-epiped,

yellow-red, fine-grained rock. L. 3.9. W. 2. T. 1.6. Site H 9, + 108. 1067. Fig. 77:1. Whetstone, a parallel-epiped, light grey, fine-grained rock. L. 16.8. W. 4. T. 2.2. Site I 8, + 108. 1083. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, grey, schistose rock. L. 4.7. Site H 9. 1125. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, grey, schistose rock. L. 3.4. W. 1.7. T. 0.3. Site G 12, + 103. 1 147. PI. 62: 4. Whetstone, almost a parallel-epiped, broken off, dark-grey, schistose rock. L. 7.1. W. 1.3. T. 0.9. Site N 20, + 23. 1214. Fig. 77: 2. Whetstone, almost a parallel-epiped, grey-green, fine-grained rock. L. 13.3. W. 3.5. T. 3. Site J 6, + 1 14. 1221. PI. 62: 5. Whetstone, almost a parallel-epiped, dark-grey, schistose rock. L. 7.3. W. 1.7. T. 1. Site O 10, + 42. 1232. PI. 62: 8. Whetstone, irregular, red-brown, fine­ grained rock. L. 6.3. W. 4.1. T. 1.3. Site I 4, + 100. 1272. PI. 62:10. Whetstone, originally probably a paralelepiped, light grey, fine-grained rock. L. 4.9. W. i.7 -1 .i. T. i. Site L 27, + 6. 1274. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular, broken off, light grey, fine-grained rock. L. 4.5. W. 2.5. T. 1.5. Site M 28, +12. 1282. Whetstone, almost a parallel-epiped, on one side a narrow groove, grey-yellow, fine-grained rock. L. 3.9. W. 2.4. T. 1.8. Site M 27, + 13. 1297. PI- 62: 12. Whetstone, originally almost a parallel­ epiped, the ends broken off, grey-black, schistose rock. L. 8.7. W. 1.2. T. 1.3. Site K 25, + 46. 131 1. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, greyyellow, coarse-grained rock. L. 10.1. Site M 8, + 80.

235

red-brown, coarse-grained rock. L. 10.1. W. 6.7. T. 2.4. Site L 16, +73. 1351* Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular, grey, schistose rock. L. 5.3. Site I 29, + 30. 1364. PI. 62: 14. Whetstone, a parallel-epiped, broken off, light grey, fine-grained rock. L. 4.6. W. 3.1. T. 1.4. Screened find. 1369. Fig.

78: 5. Whetstone,

fragmentary, irregular

piece, grey, schistose rock. L. 3.8. Site P 18. 1447. Fig. 77: 3. Whetstone, almost a parallel-epiped, broken off, dark-grey, schistose rock. L. 13.8. W. 2.2. T. 1.3. Screened find. 1447. Fig.

78: 3.

Whetstone,

fragmentary,

irregular

piece, dark-grey, schistose rock. L. 6.1. Screened find. 1452. Whetstone (?), irregular piece, grey-brown, fine­ grained rock. L. 7.2. W. 4. T. 1. Site M 17. I453- Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, darkgrey, schistose rock. L. 9. Screened find. 1454. Whetstone, triangular section, broken off, darkgrey, schistose rock. L. 9. Base 4. H. 2.7. Screened find. 1455. Whetstone, almost a parallel-epiped, red-brown, coarse-grained rock. L. 23. W. 14. T. 6. Screened find. 1456. Whetstone, irregular piece, one side fitted with a narrow groove, red-brown, coarse-grained rock. L. 21. W. 11.5. T. 4.6. Screened find. i'589. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, greyyellow, schistose rock. L. 3.4. Site E 14, + 101. 1592. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, greyyellow, schistose rock. L. 10.2. Site E 13. 1600. Whetstone, fragmentary (belongs to no. 1592). Site E 13, + 104. 1882. Whetstone (?), fragmentary, staff-shaped, circular section, grey, schistose rock

(piece of modern

slate-pencil ?). L. 3.2. D. 0.6. Site I 36, + 23. 1934. Whetstone,

fragmentary,

originally a parallel­

epiped^), dark-grey, schistose rock. L. 5.3.W. 1.3. T. 0.8. Site G 34. 2010. Whetstone, fragmentary,

originally a parallel­

epiped, light grey, fine-grained rock. L. 5.6. W. 2.4. T. i. Site H 28.

1315. Whetstone, almost a parallel-epiped, broken off,

2076. Whetstone, fragmentary, a parallel-epiped, one

yellow-red, fine-grained rock. L. 9. W. 5.5. T. 4.7.

side has a narrow groove, light grey, fine-grained

Site K 4. I 343- Whetstone, almost a parallel-epiped, broken off,

rock. L. 4.8. W. 1.9. T . 1.8. Screened find. 2138. Whetstone, irregular piece, red-brown, coarse­

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

236

grained rock. L. 23. W. 19. T. 5. Site: posthole no. 106. 2139. Whetstone, irregular piece, on one side a narrow groove, red-brown, coarse-grained rock. L. 28. W. 23. T. 9. Site: posthole no. 91. 2140. Whetstone, irregular piece, one side with a narrow groove, red-brown, coarse-grained rock. L. 27.5. W. 12. T . 1.9. Site: posthole no. 91. 2142. Whetstone,

irregular,

piece,

two

sides

with

grooves, red-brown, coarse-grained rock. L. 20. W. 7. T. 3.3. Site L 26. 2145. Whetstone, fragmentary, originally a parallel­ Fig. 78. Scale 1/2.

epiped (?), light grey, fine-grained rock. L. 5.5. W. 4.8. T . 2.3. Site G 14. 2147. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, damaged by fire (?), red-brown, coarse-grained rock. L. 6.5. Site G

ii

.

2459. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, lightgrey, fine-grained rock. L. 4.8. Site N o. 2461. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, grey, schistose rock. L. 7.3. Site R o.

2149. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, darkgrey, schistose rock. L. 2.7. Site R -S 30.

2464. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, greyyellow, coarse-grained rock. L. 6.4. Site L o -L 1.

2187. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, darkgrey, schistose rock. L. 2.9. Site R 28.

2464. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, grey, coarse-grained rock. L. 5.8. Site L o -L 1.

2201. Whetstone, irregular piece, two sides fitted with a shallow groove, red-brown, coarse-grained rock. L. 20. W. 16. T. 6. Site J 24.

2480. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, damaged by fire, red-brown, coarse-grained rock. L. 13. W.

ii

. T. 4.5. Site O -S 13-14.

2279. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, damaged by fire (?), red-brown, coarse-grained rock. L. 8.5. W. 6.2. T. 4. Site pit no. 124.

1719. Whetstone, fragmentary,

2290. Whetstone, almost a parallel-epiped, yellow-red, coarse-grained rock. L.

15.3. W.

11. T . 5.7.

Screened find. yellow, fine-grained rock. L. 6.9. W. 6.3. T . 2. Screened find. irregular

originally a parallel­

epiped, grey-green, schistose rock. L. 5.3. W. 4.3. T. i. Site BC 40. 1722. Whetstone, almost a parallel-epiped, broken, dark-

2297. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, grey-

2307. Whetstone,

Foundation I I

grey, schistose rock. L. 6.7. W. 1.5. T. 0.8. Site BA 38, + 210. 1810. Whetstone, a parallel-epiped, one side fitted with

piece,

light

grey,

fine­

a narrow groove and an unfinished hole for

grained rock. L. 16. W. 9. T. 5. Site: posthole no.

hanging, dark-grey, schistose rock. L. 7.3. W. 3.2.

25-

T. i. Site BC 37, +222.

2414. Whetstone, a parallel-epiped, broken off, dark-grey, schistose rock. L. 6.1. W. 1.1. T . 0.9. Site J o. 2426. Whetstone, irregular, red-brown, coarse-grained rock. L. 9.2. W. 3.8. T. 1.4. Screened find. 2426. Whetstone, fragmentary, almost a parallel-epiped, grey-yellow, fine-grained rock. L. 5.1. W. 4.3. T. 2.2. Screened find. 2426. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, grey-

1812. Whetstone, irregular, one side fitted with several narrow grooves, dark-grey, schistose rock. L. 18. W. 3.8. T. 1.8. Site BA 37, + 201. 2046. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, darkgrey, schistose rock. L. 5.2. Site B 30. 2047. PI. 62: 2. Whetstone, almost a parallel-epiped, fitted with hole for hanging, dark-grey, schistose rock. L. 7.1. W. 1.2. T. 0.8. Site C 30, + 89.

yellow, coarse-grained rock. L. 3.3. Screened find.

2074. PI. 62: i. Whetstone, a parallel-epiped, broken,

2458. Whetstone, irregular piece, red-biown, coarse­

dark-grey, schistose rock. L. 16. W. 1.3. T . 1.1.

grained rock. L. 20. W. 10. T. 3.5. Site L o.

Site C 30.

CATALOGUE

237

2223. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, split by

2394. Whetstone, almost a parallel-epiped, grey, schis­

fire, yellow-red, coarse-grained rock. L. 4.5. Site

tose rock. L. 11.2. W. 4. T. 2.3. Site E -F 46.

H 4 1 , + 8.

2398. Whetstone,

2224. Whetstone, irregular, dark-grey, schistose rock. L.

ii

.3. W. 2.7. T. 1.8. Site I-J 41.

fragmentary,

originally a parallel­

epiped (?), dark-grey, fine-grained rock. L. 3.1. W. 3.2. T. i. Site A 46.

2224. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, dark, schistose rock. L. 7.6. Site I-J 41.

2398. Whetstone, a parallel-epiped, broken, red-brown, fine-grained rock. L. 3.6. W. 2.4. T. 1.8. Site A 46.

2255. Whetstone, fragmentary, almost a parallel-epiped, grey, schistose rock. L. 4.6. W. 1.6. T. 0.6. Site K40.

2401. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, darkgrey, schistose rock. L. 4.5. Site F 50. 2405. Whetstone, a parallel-epiped, grey-yellow, fine­

2289. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, dark-

grained rock. L. 5.3. W. 2.3. T. 2. Site E 44.

grey, schistose rock. L. 7.6. Screened find.

2428. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, grey-

2312. Whetstone,

irregular slab,

sides with narrow

yellow, fine-grained rock. L. 5.2. Site E 44.

grooves and lines in different directions, dark-grey,

2437. Whetstone, pyramidal, one side rather damaged,

schistose rock. L. 17. W. 12.5. T. 2. Site B 27.

black, schistose rock. L. 5.2. Base 1.5 x 1.2. Site

2343. Whetstone, irregular, broken, dark-grey, schistose rock. L. 4.6. W. 1.1. T. 0.6. Site BA-A 47. 2346. Whetstone, almost a parallel-epiped, grey, fine­ grained rock. L. 5.4. W. 1.9. T. 1.1. Site BA 45-46. 2349. Whetstone,

irregular

piece,

red-yellow,

fine­

grained rock. L. 1 1.8. W. 5. T. 1.3. Site BB 39-40. 2350. Whetstone,

fragmentary,

irregular piece,

E 41. 2438. Whetstone, fragmentary, almost a parallel-epiped, light-grey, fine-grained rock. L. 4.3. W. 1.9. T. 0.7. Site D 43. 2452. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, grey, schistose rock. L. 3. Site K -L 38.

red-

2890. Whetstone, 2 fragments, irregular pieces, grey-

brown, fine-grained rock. L. 4.5. Screened find.

yellow, fine-grained rock. L. 5.5-4.3. Site A -B

2353. Whetstone, almost a parallel-epiped, dark-grey,

42- 4 3 *

schistose rock. L. 12.9. W. 1.6. T. 1.6. Site A 42. 235S- Whetstone (?), irregular piece, grey-yellow, fine­ grained rock. L. 3.3. Site BA 49. 2361. Whetstone,

fragmentary,

irregular piece,

Strike-a-light stones Foundation I

red-

yellow, coarse-grained rock. L. 10. W. 7.6. T. 3.1.

2154. Strike-a-light, half, pointed oval, flat parallel sides

Site A 25-26. 2361. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, grey-

with groove-shaped traces of wear in the middle,

lilac, schistose rock. L. 5.8. Site A 25-26.

around the edge a groove; white quartz. L. 7. W. 4.7. T. 2.3. Site R 17, -

h i

.

2361. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, darkgrey, schistose rock. L. 7.4. Site A 25-26. 2365. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, darkgrey, schistose rock. L. 4.1. Site BB 44. 2365. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, darkgrey, schistose rock. L. 4.9. Site BB 44. 2371. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, dark-grey,

Foundation I I 2035. Strike-a-light, one end missing, originally hexa­ gonal

with

oval

cross-section,

groove-shaped

traces of wear in the middle of the broad sides; quartzite, light grey. L. 8. W. 4.4. T. 2.5. Site D 30, + 78.

schistose rock. L. 7. B 40. 2377. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, greyyellow, fine-grained rock. L. 5.6. Site C 41. 2387. Whetstone, almost a parallel-epiped, two sides

Flint flakes Foundation I

fitted with grooves, grey-yellow, fine-grained rock.

123. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 4.7. Site M 27.

L. 3.6. W. 1.4. T. 1.2. Site F 49.

249. Flint flake, sharp.edged, dark grey. L. 1.6. Site O

2391. Whetstone, fragmentary, irregular piece, split by fire, red-brown, coarse-grained rock. L. 4.3. Site

25* 278. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 2.4. Site Q 18.

D 42- 4 3 *

363. Flint flake (tinder-flint), sharp-edged with chalk

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

238

crust on one edge, one corner is worn, dark grey.

1257. Flint flake, sharp-edged with chalk crust on one edge, dark grey. L. 2.5. Site L 29, + 96.

L. 4.3. Site N 27, - 24. 370. Flint flake (tinder-flint), worn edges and corners.

1282. Flint flake, sharp-edged with one slightly worn edge, dark grey. L. 4.3. Site M 27, +12.

L. 2.1. Site Q 18, -3 6 . L. 2.5. Screened

1292. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 4.2. Site J 25,

386. Flint flake, sharp-edged with chalk crust on one

+ 46. 1294. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 2.2. Site N 19.

377. Flint flake sharp-edged, grey. find.

edge, dark grey. L. 2.5. Site M 24.

1300. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 2.6. Site K 2.

402. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 2.6. Site O 14. 425. Flint flake, sharp-edged, light grey. L. 2.4. Site

+ 44494. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 1.8. Site P 9, + 21. 518. Flint flake, sharp-edged, dark grey. L. 2.1. Site P 10.

1.4. Screened finds. 1866. Flint flake, sharp-edged, light grey. L. 0.9. Site I 34» + 251940. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 3.4. Site G 34. 1970. Flint flake, sharp-edged, light grey. L. 2. Site I 34, + 23.

553. Flint flake (tinder-flint), worn edges and corners, grey. L. 3.9. Site H 15. ,

+ 114.

2053. Flint artefact, keeled blade, passing into a re­ touched point (drill or tang of arrow-head ?),

726. Flint flake, sharp-edged, light grey. L. 1.8. Site F 13, + no.

grey. L. 2.5. Site E 15. 2054. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 2.6. Site F 15.

772. Flint flake (tinder-flint), worn edges and corners, grey. L. 2.3. Site H 23, + 66. sharp-edged,

light grey.

2083. Flint

flake,

sharp-edged,

dark grey.

L.

1.8.

light grey.

L.

1.7.

Screened find.

777. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 1.6. Site G 20. 822. Flint flake,

2053. 2 flint flakes, sharp-edged, grey. L. 2.4. and 2. Site E 15.

721. Flint flake, sharp-edged, dark grey. L. 2.8. Site i i

J 28, + 30. 1443. 4 flint flakes, sharp-edged, dark/light grey. L. 3.7—

R 24. 484. Flint-flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 3.1. Site P 6,

F

1353. Flint flake, sharp-edged, light grey. L. 2.5. Site

L.

2.3.

Screened find.

2087. Flint

flake,

sharp-edged,

Screened find. 2149. Flint flake (tinder-flint ?),

991. Flint flake, sharp-edged, dark grey. L. 3. Site H 21.

partly worn edges,

light grey. L. 2.4. Site R-S 30.

1019. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 1.8. Site O 26,

2240. Flint flake (tinder-flint ?), partly worn edges,

-3 6 . 1050. Flint flake (tinder-flint),

2473. Flint flake, sharp-edged, cracks and white colora­

light grey. L. 3.5. Site K -N 31-35. slightly worn edges,

dark grey. L. 2.9. Site 1 7 , + 109. 1054. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 2.8. Site G 8, + 112. 1126. Flint flake, sharp-edged with chalk crust on one side, grey. L. 3. Site G 6, + 121. 1134. Piece of flint, core-like with white patinized sur­ face, the rest light grey. L. 5.3. Site H 29. 1155. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 4. Site K 4, +90. 1189. Flint flake, sharp-edged, dark grey. L. 2.6. Site H 10. 1200. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 1.9. Site N 8, + 56. 1238. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 3.5. Site L 27, + 18. 1252. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 3.7. Site L 25, + 3 i-

tion as a result of fire. L. 2.6. Site I 3.

Foundation I I 1577. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 2.8. Site B 24, + 114. 1613. Piece of flint (tinder-flint ?), partly worn edges, dark grey. L. 3.2. Site B 24, + 118. 1616. Flint flake (tinder-flint), worn edges and corners, grey. L. 3.2. Site C 27. 1623. Flint flake, sharp-edged with chalk-crust, grey with yellow-brown patina. L. 2.4. Site D 23. 1984. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 2.5. Site D 31. 2253. Flint flake, sharp-edged, dark grey. Site H 42. 2271. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 1.9. Site J 41. 2308. Piece of flint (tinder-flint), with one worn edge, the others sharp, grey. L. 3.8. Site A 22-23.

CATALOGUE

239

2342. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 3.9. Site B 26,

grained, grey granite. L. 70. W. 45. T. 22. Site:

- 28. 2344. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey-white. L. 2.9. Site

posthole no. 49. 1451. Quern, trough-shaped, natural moraine boulder

BA -A 47.

with very slightly concave grinding surface, the

2347. Flint flake, sharp-edged with chalk-crust, dark grey. L. 2.9. Site A 26.

edges partly broken away all round by fire (?); coarse-grained, grey granite. L. 63. W. 52. T. 20.

2353. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 2. Site A 42. 2361. Piece of flint, sharp-edged, partly with chalkcrust, grey. L. 6.2. Site A 25-26.

Site: posthole no. 49. 2141. Quern, trough-shaped, fragmentary, natural mo­ raine boulder with slightly concave grinding sur­

2378. Flint flake, sharp-edged, partly with chalk-crust, grey. L. 6.1. Site B 43.

face; coarse-grained, grey granite. L. 30. W. 25. T. 14. Site: posthole no. 89.

2401. Flint flake, sharp-edged, partly with chalk-crust, grey. L. 1.6. Site F 50.

Foundation I I

2442. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 3. Site E 48. 2451. Flint flake, sharp-edged, partly worn edges, grey.

2400. Quern, circular, fragmentary, quadrant-shaped, outer edge and central hole rough-hewn, the upper

L. 3.4. Site G-J 49. 2454. Flint flake, sharp-edged with partly worn edges, chalk-crust on one side, grey. L. 2.3. Site G - J 38. 2469. Flint flake, sharp-edged, grey. L. 3. Site A -B 45. 2495. Flint flake, sharp-edged, partly with chalk-crust,

side uneven and almost unworked, the evenly hewn grinding surface in parts ground smooth with con­ centric traces of wear; coarse-grained, grey-yellow, rather loose rock. D. 44. T . 7.5. Site A 46.

dark grey. L. 4.8. Site: posthole no. 169.

Miscellaneous objects

Summary concerning flint The 72 pieces of flint that have been found within

Foundation I

foundations I and II are mostly sharp-edged flakes

2316. Polishing stone (?), circular, flat naturally shaped

without traces of any working. Ten of them show

stone with traces of wear on the plane sides; red-

however more or less obvious traces of wear, thus making

brown, fine-grained rock. D. 2.1. T . 0.6. Site L

it clear that they have been used for striking fire. In one

0-1.

case (No. 2053) the flint flake consists of a fragmentary

2451. Polishing stone (?), oval with plane sides and edges

Stone Age-artefact. All pieces of flint are of South

set almost at right angles to these, all surfaces

Scandinavian origin.

evenly ground without showing any traces of actual wear; rather coarse-grained, grey-yellow

Querns

rock with parallel, red bands of varying breadth.

Foundation I

L. 7.7. W. 6.9. T . 2.6. Site I-J 49.

1450. Quern, through-shaped, natural moraine boulder with slightly concave grinding surface; coarse­

2432. Piece of graphite, unworked. L. 3.1. W. 0.8. T. 0.6. Screened find.

HORN AN D BONE Foundation I

transverse line; grey-black, shiny surface, damaged

616. PL 49: 23. Handley horn, both ends broken off,

by fire. L. 3.8. W. 1.1. T. 0.9. Site H 13, + 102.

narrowing off downwards, oval section; in the

1358. PI. 49: 21. Blank for a spindle-whorl bone, sawn

upper part traces of a hole passing through,

off head of a femur from domestic animal, semi-

decoration of three encircling incised parallel lines,

spheiical with flattened base surface, otherwise

under these a network of lines crossing each other at right angles, delimited downwards by a

unworked. D. 4. H. 2.3. Site K 28, + 7. 2295. PI. 49: 22. Spindle-whorl yhorn, half, semi-spherical

240

E X C A V A T I O N S AT H E L G Ö

Fig. 79. Scale 1/1.

with plane base surface, hole in the centre, the

Note. In both house-foundations odd bones of animals

curving surface shows concentric traces of turning.

have been found. These bones will be dealt with in connec-

D. 3.7. H. 2.2. Site: posthole no. 108.

tion with the publication of the other house-foundations.

C O IN S Foundation I

322. Fig. 79-80: 2. \ of Arabic silver coin. Abbasid,

83. Fig. 79-80: 5 i fragment of Arabic silver coin.

Harun al-Rashid, Madinat Samarkand, the year

Umaijad, the year ixx, c. 125=742-743 A.D.

unreadable, c. 190 = 805-806 A.D. Weight 0,792 g.

Weight 0,662 g. Site G 17, -90.

Site P 26, -40.

186. Fig. 79-80: i. Arabic silver coin. Abbasid, al

411. Fig. 79-80:6. i fragment of Arabic silver coin.

Mahdi, al Abbasiah, the year 160 = 777-778 A.D.

Abbasid, Harun al-Rashid, Madinat Zerendj, the

Weight 1,936 g. Site M 19, - 48.

year unreadable, c. 176 = 793-794 A.D. Weight

Fig. 80. Scale 1/1.

24I

CATALOGUE

0,328 g. Cf. Tomberg C. J., Numi-Cufici Regii

Mamun (?), Madinat al-Salam, the year unread­

Numophylacii Holmiensis, Upsaliae 1848, no. 150.

able, c. 212-218 = 827-833 A.D. Weight 0,607 g.

Site P 27, -45. 465. Fig. 79-80:3. i Arabie bronze coin with silver coating. Abbasid, al-Mahdi, mint place unrea­

Site I 19, +76. 1912. Fig. 79-80:4. i fragment of Arabic silver coin. Abbasid,

Harun al-Rashid, Medinet-as-Salam,

dable, the year 164 = 780-781 A.D., contemporary

Dirhem. C. 170-193=786-808. Weight 0,415 g.

falsification. Weight 1,459 g- Site M 18, +52.

Cf. Tornberg C. J., Numi Cufici Regii Numo­

812. Fig. 79-80:7. i fragment of Arabic silver coin, with a perforation, partly gilded. Abbasid, al-

phylacii Holmiensis, Upsaliae 1848, no. 226. Site G 34, +27.

PLATES

PI.

i:

i

Foundation I. Eastern part

1:2 Foundation I. W estern part

I

PI. 2

2: i Foundation I. W estern part

2 :2 F o u n d a t io n I. R o w s o f s to n e s w ith a c o v e r in g p a v in g , p a r tia lly e x c a v a te d

PI

3: i Foundation I. Rows of stones with a covering paving, partially excavated

3: 2-3 Foundation I. T h e ditch, from W and E

PI. 4

4: i Foundation I. Eastern part with the curving ditch

4: 2 Foundation I. Eastern part with the curving ditch, postholes and profile

PI •

5: i Foundation I. T h e stone paving

5 :2 F o u n d a tio n I I , fr o m X

V

PI. 6

6: i Foundation II, profile at 47 m

6 :2 F o u n d a tio n I I , p ro file fro m th e s o u th e rn d itc h

y: 1-2 Profile at 47

PI. 8

8 :1-2 Profile at 3 m, F -J and H M

8: 3 Postholes N os. 66, 69 and 70

8: 4 Postholes N os. 61 and 70

ç: i Pesthole No. 169

9: 3 Posthole No. 70

9:2 Posthole (?) No. 204

9: 4 Postholes Nos. 47 and 48

PI.

IO

io:

i

Posthole N o. 49

10: 3 P o s t h o l e N o . 49 p a r t ia l l y e x c a v a t e d

10: 2 Posthole No. 49 partially excavated

1 0 :4

Postholes Nos. 94, 92, 95 a n d 93

PL

11 : i Posthole No. 90

11:2 Posthole N o. 89

1 1 : 3 P o s t h o l e s N o s . 75 a n d 76

ii

PL 12

12: i Pits Xos. 73 and 74

12: 2 Pit No. 73 and posthole No. 74 partially excavated

12:3 Pit No. 96 and posthole No. 97

PI. i

13: i Pit No. 75 w ith burnt clay and wood splinters

13: 2 Pit N o. 98 and postholes N cs. 99, 100, 87, 86 and 88

14: i Postholes N os. 101, 105 and 106

14: 2 Hearth No. 44

14: 3 Posthole No. 26 partially excavated

PI. i

15:1 Posthole N o. 27

15:2 Posthole N o. 27 partially excavated

15:3 Postholes Nos. 27, 26 and 25

.17 — 60153004

H e lg o

PI. i6

16: i Pits Nos. 23 and 22

16: 2 Posthole No. 29 and pits Nos. 28, 32 and 33

16 :3 P o s th o le N o . 24

17: i Pit No. 184 partially excavated

1 7 : 2 P it N o . 184 e x c a v a te d

PI. i8

18: i Hearth N o. 206

18: 2 Pit N o. 207

18: 3 Posthole (?) N o. 204 partially excavated

PI. 19

Scale: 3/1

PI. 20

Scale: i

3/1 2

2/1 3 = 3/1 4

3/1 5

1/1

PI 21

Scale: ca 4 3

PI. 22

Scale: ca 4/3

PI 23

Scale: 4/3

PI. 24

Scale: 4/3

PI. 22

Scale: 1-2 = 2/1

PL 26

Scale: 1 = 2/1 2-3 = 1/!

PI. 27

Scale: i

2/1 2- 3/2 3

i/i 4^3/ 2

PI. 28

Scale: 1 and 2 - 3/2 3 18

1/1

PI. ag

Scale: i - ca 5/6 2 ~ ca 1/2

PI 30

Scale:

ill

PL 31

PI. 32

Scale: 1/1

Scale: i /

PI. 34

Scale: i /1

PI 3 •

Scale: i/i

:>

PI. 36

Scale: 1/1

PI • 57

Scale: i /1

PL 38

Scale: i/i

PI. 39

Scale: i/i

PI. 40

Scale: 1/

Fl. 41

Scale: i /1

PI. 42

Scale: 1/1

PI. 43

Scale: i i

PI. 44

Scale:

t

/t

Scale: i/i

O i

PI. 4

PI. 46

Scale: 1/1

PL 47

Scale: i/i IQ

60x53004 Helgei

PI. 48

Scale: 1/1

PI. 49

Scale: i /

PI. 50

Scale: ill

PI. 51

Scale: 1 1

Scale: i i

O l

Scale: i i

PI- 5 4

Scale: i/i

Scale: i i

PI. 56

Scale: 1 /

PI

Scale: i /1

PL 58

Scale: i/i

fJ I

Scale: i /1

PI. 6o

Saale: i i

PI. 6i

S ir a lf» '

t

/T

PI. 62

Scale: 1/1

PLANS AND PROFILES

1. V egetation-layer.

2

. C ulture

14. B urnt stones

layer, dark earth containing artefacts.

15. Stone(s).

3.

»

» , m ixed w ith charcoal.

16. Sand.

4.

»

» , m ixed

w ith stones.

17. Gravel.

5.

»

» , m ixed

w ith gravel. 18. Coarse moraine-gravel.

6.

»

»

, m ixed

7.

»

»

, m ixed w ith gravel and clay.

8.

»

w ith clay.

» , w ith a high percen­ tage o f charcoal.

9. G ravel, redburnt.

10. G ravel m ixed w ith charcoal.

11. C lay, redburnt.

12. C lay, redburnt, m ixed w ith charcoal.

19. Clay.

20.

» , green-coloured.

21.

» , stratified (alluvial clay).

22.

»

23.

» , m ixed w ith sand.

24.

» , m ixed w ith gravel.

, silty, sometimes stratified.

25. D isturbed layer sequence.

13. C lay m ixed w ith charcoal.

Simplified explanation o f signs concerning only the main plans on a scale 1 : 2 5 26. A concentrated layer o f charcoal.

30. Posthole.

27. W ood charcoal.

31. Shallow pit.

28. A rea w ith charcoal.

29. Area w ith hearths without distinct borders.

32. Hearth.

PI. 63

PL 64

PI. 66

PI. 67

PI. 68

PI. 69

PI. 70

PL 71