Danish sites and settlements with a maritime context, AD 200–1200

Abstract

Denmark's long coast-line, with its fjords, sounds, minor waterways, and small islands, provides every need and opportunity for a marine aspect to society. The maritime settlements of the early centuries AD, a special case within the north European pattern of seatrading, are being studied by a new Centre for Maritime Archaeology at Roskilde, whose projects include a study of the shore of Roskilde Fjord.

Between Rescue and Research: An Evaluation after 30 Years of Liberal Metal Detecting in Archaeological Research and Heritage Practice in Denmark

“…As late as the 1970s, the evidence of early medieval settlements was limited to fewer than twenty localities. Today, the number of sites with metal finds indicating settlement activity or regular settlements from this period can be counted in several hundreds, exposing a settlement landscape of hitherto unexpected density and complexity: aristocratic residences such as Tissø on Sealand or Sorte Muld on Bornholm; rural settlements and manors; specialised production places with evidence of a broad range of craft activities; and landing-places and smaller market centres in the coastal regions (Näsman, 1991;Ulriksen, 1994;Fabech, 1999;Henriksen, 2000;Jørgensen, 2003;Christiansen, 2008;Adamsen, 2009) ( Figures 6 and 7).…”

‘Dark Age Economics’ revisited: the English fish bone evidence AD 600-1600

“…Since then, however, archaeology has confirmed the existence of early (particularly eighth century) antecedents to many of North-western Europe's first towns, and of other early markets without urban populations (Cowie & Whytehead 1988;Hill et al 1990;Ulriksen 1994;Kemp 1996;Feveile & Jensen 2000;Gardiner et al 2001; see contributions in Hansen & Wickham 2000;Hill & Cowie 2001;Prestell & Ulmschneider 2003). Concurrently, accessible surveys of the relevant historical evidence have emphasised the existence and scale of commercial transactions -including the exchange of basic staple goods -in Carolingian times (e.g.…”

Raids, Migrations, and Kingdoms

“…Gudme and Lundeborg lost importance in the seventh-eighth centuries, but new sites took their place. The number of centralplaces grew rapidly and by the year 700 we know of at least one in virtually every settlement area of South Scandinavia (Callmer 1994;Ulriksen 1994), revealing that society was more hierarchical and more organised than believed only a few years ago.…”