The aim of these investigation was to
penetrate the question concerning the structure, dating and
extent of the settlement of the trading place. We know from
earlier investigations that there are extensive traces of
settlement spread out over several hundreds of meters of the
area. Earlier investigations have most of all been carried
out in the northern and the southern part of the settlement
area, and the aim of this year's investigation has been to
cast light of the extension of the settlement in the middle
of the settlement area.
Therefore, we decided to open up an area
in the middle of the settlement area, in the form of 5 shaft
in a north-south direction. All together, we investigated an
area of 112 m2.
Relaxing archaeologists (Per and Maria), thinking about the construction and the meaning of the postholes. Photo D. Carlsson.
Carina; concentrating herself heavily! Photo D. Carlsson.
The investigations showed that the
culture layer was about 0.3 meters thick, very dark and with
a lot of ash and charcoal. In some parts of the shafts, we
found rather extensive quantities of slag, which
indicate that the area partly has been used for
manufacturing. A piece of a clay-mould strengthen that
impression. Also, the lack of more intensive quantities of
animal bones suggests another occupation than normal living
condition.
In most of the shafts, we come upon
postholes. These were mainly concentrated to the
western part of the shafts, and were we could connect them
to each other, we found out that the houses had been
oriented mainly in north-south direction.
An animal shaped brooch in the form of a dragon in
classical Urne-style, dated to the 11th century. Photo D.
Carlsson.
K-G, the man who found the dragon brooch, wondering about
its origin and meaning. In the foreground Mattias, envying
the dragon finder. Photo D. Carlsson.
The material found in the soil was
relatively extensive, with several interesting items found.
Among many things, we found a faceted bead of rock-crystal
from the Caucasus area, several pieces of balance scales and
several pieces of brass-work. Most fascinating was an animal
shaped brooch, discovered in the northernmost shaft. It was
in the form of a dragon biting himself in one of his legs.
This animal style is commonly known as Urne-style, and dates
the brooch to the 11th century AD.
If we look to the settlement patterns as
we know it now after this excavation, we can clearly see a
very regular pattern, from the southernmost part of the
settlement, to the northernmost, The investigation so far
this summer, has strengthen the impression of a regular
settlement pattern, laid out after a plan.
A bead of rock-crystal from Caucasus. Photo D. Carlsson.
What have you found Börje, Cornelia wonder. Photo D. Carlsson.
This week, we will start the last part of this summers excavation in Fröjel. We have now moved some 60 meters further north, and a little closer to the former shore line. The aim of this investigation is to put together the dispersed shafts from earlier investigations, and by that getting a clearer picture of the distributions of settlement and graves in the northern part of the trading place. We know from earlier excavations that the oldest parts of the trading place is located to this area, which means from the late 6th century AD and onwards.
In the next newsletter, I will come back to the results from these investigations.
A piece of decorated pottery from Viking Age. Photo D. Carlsson.
Lothar, our friend who came all the way from Australia to take part in our excavation. Completely happy when he found a silver-ring from Viking Age. Today, a copy of the ring will be found on his left hand! (Or is it his right hand?) Photo D. Carlsson.