Just Another Central Place?

A Critical Description of Vä

Abstract

An evaluation of the central place Vä in north-east Scania is an important task in connection with the project concerning Uppåkra and the structure of lron Age sociery in south Sweden. It felt as if Vä had not been given a detailed description for a long time. The opportunity came when the author was able to study the role of Vä and its hinterland as a side track to a work on grave ritual in Scania during the Early Iron Age.

The problems discussed are connected to the questions of how to perceive Vä in particular, and in some respects concerning its role on the Kristianstad plain and its role in a larger perspective, compared to other central places, especially Uppåkra. The questions and the answers raise more questions, and rather than giving a definite interpretation of Vä, this contribution shows the vital importance of further research and excavations in Vä and its hinterland. Hopefully it also brings Vä back to a more evident position in the discussion, where I believe it belongs.