For Gods and Men to Behold

Excavations at an Iron Age Grave-Field in Färlöv, 1995–1998

Abstract

During the last few years, the author has excavated an Iron Age burial ground in Färlöv, a village north-west of Kristianstad. Several important finds have been made, including remains of previously destroyed monuments and recovered artefacts. Worth mentioning are three extremely large shipsettings, of approximately 40, 50 and 80 m length, a weapon grave with a Roman bronze vessel, filled with burnt bones of two individuals and a number of iron weapons, and a rune-stone given a very early dating by the experts.

In the light of these new finds the author discusses the questions of regional division and the hierarchy of the Iron Age communities in Skåne, based on finds from the Roman Iron Age. The large ship-settings are discussed both as a regional phenomenon for the display of rank and as complex grave monuments. Some suggestions are also given as to where the settlements in the area around Färlöv were located and what happened after the burial ground was abandoned. The reader is also presented with ideas as to when and why the grave-field was destroyed.