Economic and Social Space at a Fenced Roman Iron Age Farm

An Example from the South Coast of Sweden

Abstract

In the autumn of 2011 the well-preserved remains of a Roman Iron Age farm – a longhouse, an outhouse and fences – were investigated in Nybrostrand, on the south coast of Sweden. In this article the houses, the relation between houses and fences, and the use of areas inside the fence are discussed and interpreted in terms of their economic and social importance. The surrounding landscape is also brought into the interpretation. It is argued that the northern and western part of the fenced area comprised areas used for small-scale gardening and the keeping of cattle. The southern part was of special social significance, signalling status when receiving guests from far away.