Högom: The Excavations 1949-1984

Description

This volume includes the study and analysis of the many important finds recovered in the course of the total of five excavation periods at the Högom grave-field in the parish of Selånger in the county of Medelpad, North Sweden. In all, three large mounds, two small mounds, two house foundations and an area with ard marks were investigated. The site has been dated to the period from about 200/300 to the 6th century AD. Two of the investigated objects in particular are of unusually great international significance in view of the finds which they yielded. These are the chambered tomb contained in largemound No. 2 and the house foundation beneath mound No. 3. The very well-preserved chambered tomb was a richly outfitted man’s grave with an abundance of weapons, two bridles, a saddle, and a 'laid table' including inter alia two glass beakers, bronze vessel, pails, four wooden plates, ceramic and wrapped vessels, and a bronze washing bowl with an associated elegant comb. Gold objects in the form of finger rings, pendants, small gold bars and an obole were found on the deceased. Scandinavia’s largest collected number of clasp buttons was found in position on the clothing of the deceased. The excellent state of preservation of the finds, their abundance, their international character and the detailed documentation mean that we are dealing here with a grave which, in an extraordinary fashion, illustrates the role of the regional chieftain or petty king and contacts in Central Norrland during the Migration Period. FOREWORD 5 PREFACE 7 CONTENTS 9 1. INTRODUCTION 15 2. CULTURAL AND NATURAL FACTORS 22 3. PHOSPHATE MAPPING 29 4. MOUND No. 2 31 5. MOUND No. 3 154 6. MOUND No. 4 191 7. MOUNDS Nos. 5 AND 11 216 8. CHRONOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL HISTORICAL CONCLUSIONS 221 REFERENCES 227 GUIDANCE FOR THE READER 235 PLATES 1-154