Uppåkra, a Central Place in Skåne during the Iron Age

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is ro give an account of the archaeological investigations of the settlement site at Uppåkra and to present problems and hypotheses for future research. The site is situated about 5 km south of Lund. It was discovered and small parts excavated in 1934. This excavation and some later investigations have revealed a very large Iron Age settlement with occupation layers with a thickness up to 3 m. Prehistoric settlements and cemeteries, several gold finds and an offering bog at Gullåkra are documented in the area around Uppåkra,

A problem for future research is the relation between Uppåkra, discussed as a central place, and the Iron Age settlements on the Uppåkra plain between the Höjeån and the Segeån rivers on one hand and the settlement in other parts of south-west Skåne on the other. Another problem is the relation between Uppåkra (mentioned in 1085) and the city of Lund and also the political connections with the Danish Kingdom.

A project concerning the structure and change of the Iron Age settlements in southern Sweden has started at the Institute. The large settlement at Uppåkra is central in that connection.