The aim of the present study was to take a closer look into the evidence for a theory of prehistoric string manufacture, formulated by the British archaeologist Karen Hardy in the article Prehistoric string theory. How twisted fibers helped to shape the world (Hardy, 2008). A problem with the article, with the relevance and validity of the presented evidence as substance for the theory, was the mi

The purpose of this essay is to investigate the social function, symbolism, and significance of the Scandinavian snake-head rings from the Roman Iron Age, and how this may reconstruct social identities. By studying the shape of the rings, their ornamentation, the craftsmanship behind them and the general contexts in which they are found, it is possible to reach a deeper understanding for the rings

This thesis aims to explore the problems archaeologists have to face when working with mixed kontexts and multi cultural technologies. The thesis explores how archaeologists could use linguistic explanations when working with material culture studies and how material culture spreads in human societies. The thesis concludes that material culture spreads and function like language and that such meta

This study focuses on the textile implements, notably the loom weights and spindle whorls, found at fortified hilltop settlements - a specific type of hillfort in Sweden. The sites included in the study are Boberget (Östergötland), Gullborg (Östergötland), Darsgärde (Uppland) and Börsås kulle (Bohuslän). From quantitative analysis of the material, assessing the least possible production range, the

The designation of World Heritage Site overcomes a serious of events in the life of each location. The social life of the sites that are designated brings a discussion about the characters that are responsible for the maintenance and preservation of the physical and ontological characteristics of the data and knowledge originated in it. Archaeology today involves certain characteristics that overc

In the 1930s, a boat-grave was found in Sutton Hoo, England. Soon after, it was noted to have several similarities to swedish boat-grave from the region of Mälardalen, specifically Vendel and Valsgärde. These graves are from the same period as the Sutton Hoo ship burial, in Sweden known as the Vendel period (550-750 AD). Since then there has been an ongoing discussion concerning how the Sutton Hoo

Several digital technologies are now available to record and document archaeological excavations. A large number of studies have been published concerning the use of laser scanning, image based 3D modelling and GIS. By integrating different typologies of 3D data from Uppåkra, an Iron Age central place in southern Sweden, this thesis focuses on the development and evaluation of how 3D Geographic In

This text aims at describing an archaeology of relations. Methodologically many approaches are being tested, through a multiple-angled discourse analysis. Relational archaeology studies the interactive middlegrounds in between two actors, or between smaller components that exist within one single actor. What is of relevance here is then how to define and outline the »actor«. This thesis demands th

Tourists are gathering to discover the ancient monuments of Sweden. A rising number of people find interest in exploring the cultural landscape. When they do, they often visit a few well-advertised sights that are easy to find through tourist information or online search engines. These popular tourist attractions provide economical benefits for local companies and can be part of maintaining a flou

This essay is an analysis of the horse during the scandinavian bronze age, more specifically southern scandinavia with a breaking point at circa Gothenburg. The questions regard whether or not the horse was a high status animal during older to younger bronze age in the region and whether or not we can argue this based on rock carvings, horse gear and other pictorial renderings where the horse is p

Kullaberg is a unique landscape for southern Sweden and the caves have for long been an exciting phenomenons for people, both in the past and present times. The archaeological research around Kullaberg’s caves has long been focused on the Stone Age area and this has led to the caves being associated with this period. This study will instead consider the caves as a material object and its function

This work looks at three case studies from bog body research in Denmark, England and Ireland in order to investigate the variation of human decomposition in different depositional environments and the application of forensic methods to the area of bog body research in archaeology. The work attempts to assess the chosen case studies using an established forensic scoring method by Heaton et al (2010

What indicates that the Scandinavian bog bodies were places in bogs as a result of a ritual act? This paper will try to look into this by studying different cases of bog bodies from the Early Iron Age. To answer this question, I will examine the various theories researchers provide regarding bog bodies and why they were deposited. In a time period and region which is mainly dominated by cremation,

The archaeological traditions of the Viking Age have a complex history. Some of it has been nationalist in orientation, at times constructing proud historical narratives reflecting ownership in and continuity of the past. These narratives conflict with increasing population diversity in the Scandinavian nations, where contemporary identity politics grapple with real and imagined realities of im

This paper goes over the process of evaluating the environmental variables, which are most likely to predict the locations of prehistoric settlements in a Scanian setting. This is accomplished by selecting variables which have shown to be successful in previous similar study areas and testing the spatial correlation between each variable and known settlement presence. This is followed by an ov

This thesis studies hallandic hillforts through both field research and computer analysis. The research questions concern morphology, classification, cultural landscape, and regional variation. The purpose of this thesis is to create a more developed and nuanced image of the hill forts, starting by mentioning them as enclosures (hägnadsanläggning) instead of hill fort (fornborg). By dividing the e

This study aims to highlight some of the impacts following the climatic event of 536 C.E. This is achieved by analyzing and comparing excavated settlement patterns throughout the southern Malmö area in two phases that precede and succeed the year 550 C.E. Furthermore, the study evaluates a possible shift in social order and agency within the local community, as well as how this shift could potenti

This text is an attempt to re-evaluate the significance of Roman imports in Scandinavian contexts as well as to answer overarching questions concerning frontier zones, and the building of core-periphery relationships. This is achieved by applying the Roman concepts of hospitium and dona militaria as well as theoretical frameworks such as provincial ritual practices and cultural hybridisation to a

Past material categorisation and preference in archaeological research are often heavily influenced by modern material perception, through the use of modern language and modern terminological connotations. This thesis seeks to clarify material categorisation and preference in the past, by studying two different skeuomorphs; Aurignacian shell skeuomorphs made from ivory, and south Scandinavian meta