Valsgärde
The farm of Valsgärde sits on the banks of the Fyris river, just three kilometres north of Gamla Uppsala. This location served as an ancient centre for Swedish kings and pagan faith during the Iron Age. The current farm structure dates from the 16th century, but its history stretches back much further. Archaeologists have identified a burial site here that was used for more than 300 years. The first ship burial at this location dates to the 6th century. The final graves in the sequence belong to the 11th century. This span covers both the Vendel Age and the Viking Age.
Archaeologists discovered and excavated the site during the 1920s. Before this work began, similar graves had only been found at Vendel. That earlier find gave its name to the entire period known as the Scandinavian Iron Age. Excavations revealed ship burials spanning from the 6th to the 11th century. These graves were previously unknown outside of the Vendel area. The discovery brought attention to a rich collection of princely graves. Researchers noted these finds were almost identical to those later found in England. The timeline of the site extends across four centuries of continuous use.
Rich princely graves containing weapons and shields provide evidence of high-status individuals buried with parallels to Sutton Hoo. A warrior sword from the 7th century stands as one such artifact. An oval outline behind a helmet shows the probable size of the shield used by the deceased. There are so many rich graves that it is likely most of them belonged to royalty. Scholars have identified several theories about the identities of those buried. Some suggest they were members of the Yngling dynasty or Scylfings. Others propose powerful warriors within the Leidang system. Local strongmen who enriched themselves through trade also fit the profile. The strategic position between the fjord of Mälaren and Tiundaland supported this wealth.
Scholars propose various identities for the interred ranging from Yngling royalty to powerful warriors within the Leidang system. Greta Arwidsson published detailed reports on specific graves including Valsgärde 6, 7, and 8 during the mid-20th century. Her work in 1942 focused on grave number six while she examined grave seven in 1977. Allan Fridell wrote about the first ship burial at Valsgärde in Gamla Uppsala parish in 1930. Bengt Schönbäck later analyzed Viking Age boat graves with relative chronology in 2002. These researchers continue to debate whether the dead were kings, warriors, or local elites. The evidence points toward a community where power was concentrated among a few families.
The Valsgärde graves share striking similarities with contemporary Anglo-Saxon burials found at Sutton Hoo in East Anglia. Sutton Hoo is dated probably to 610, 635. This dating places the English site roughly contemporaneous with the early phases of the Swedish cemetery. Researchers note that the graves are almost identical to those found across the North Sea. Such parallels suggest shared cultural practices between Scandinavia and England during this era. The presence of similar weapons and shields reinforces these connections. Trade routes likely facilitated the exchange of ideas and material culture. The comparison helps historians understand the broader context of the Vendel Age.
Recent studies analyze domestic dog skeletons and ritual mortuary houses to reconstruct life and death practices at the cemetery. Christopher Nichols published work on domestic dog skeletons at Valsgärde Cemetery in Uppland, Sweden in 2021. He followed up with another study titled Three Dogs from the Late Iron Age Boat Grave Cemetery in 2024. These papers quantify morphological data to understand the role of dogs in burial rituals. Raymond Sauvage and Richard I. Macphail examined mortuary houses from Norway in a 2024 publication. Their research compares ritual practice at late Iron-Age and Viking-Age cemeteries. Ahmad ibn Fadlan provided an account of the Rus chieftain's funeral in the 10th century. This historical text offers additional context for interpreting Scandinavian burial customs.
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Common questions
Where is the Valsgärde farm and burial site located?
The farm of Valsgärde sits on the banks of the Fyris river, just three kilometres north of Gamla Uppsala. This location served as an ancient centre for Swedish kings and pagan faith during the Iron Age.
When was the Valsgärde ship burial site used?
Archaeologists have identified a burial site at Valsgärde that was used for more than 300 years from the 6th century to the 11th century. The first ship burial dates to the 6th century while the final graves belong to the 11th century. This span covers both the Vendel Age and the Viking Age.
Who excavated the Valsgärde archaeological site in the 20th century?
Archaeologists discovered and excavated the Valsgärde site during the 1920s. Greta Arwidsson published detailed reports on specific graves including Valsgärde 6, 7, and 8 during the mid-20th century. Allan Fridell wrote about the first ship burial at Valsgärde in Gamla Uppsala parish in 1930.
What is the connection between Valsgärde and Sutton Hoo?
The Valsgärde graves share striking similarities with contemporary Anglo-Saxon burials found at Sutton Hoo in East Anglia. Sutton Hoo is dated probably to 610 or 635 which places the English site roughly contemporaneous with the early phases of the Swedish cemetery. Researchers note that the graves are almost identical to those found across the North Sea.
Who were the people buried in the Valsgärde princely graves?
Scholars have identified several theories about the identities of those buried including members of the Yngling dynasty or Scylfings. Others propose powerful warriors within the Leidang system or local strongmen who enriched themselves through trade. The evidence points toward a community where power was concentrated among a few families.