Chronological Trajectories at Iron Age and Medieval Settlements in Vinjefjord Based on Recent Excavations
Original version
From Life to Death in Iron Age and Medieval Vinjefjord. 2024, 15–43. 10.23865/cdf.218Abstract
This chapter explores chronological trends at archaeological sites recently excavated in Vinjefjord, Central Norway, focusing on the Iron Age and medieval periods The Pre-Roman and Early Roman periods, in the Early Iron Age, show dispersed evidence, indicating a scattered settlement (c 100 BC–AD 300) The Late Roman Iron Age and Migration Period (AD 350–550) witnessed increased activity, with concentrated cooking pits suggesting a communal gathering place and settlement evidence indicating more stable settlements AD 500–600 exhibits a decline, potentially linked to the AD 536 event The Late Iron Age (AD 550–1050) introduced burials in mounds, signalling a shift in landscape use, implied by a change from arable land and cooking pit field to cemeteries Mounds served as territorial markers and memorials, possibly preceding stable settlements The Viking Age (AD 800–1050) saw a rise in events, marked by increased activity, wealth and religious changes Viking raids and trade contributed to local prosperity, while the transition to Christianity altered burial practices in the Early Middle Ages (c AD 1050–1100) Later stages of the Middle Ages (c AD 1250–1350) show a decline, possibly due to demographic challenges, with a significant decrease post-AD 1350 Historical records align with findings, suggesting desertion followed by reoccupation in the 17th century.