Uppåkra - an introduction to the site and the region

The site at Uppåkra, with its sensational finds and unique continuity, more than 1000 years, all through the Iron Age, is situated on a rise in the landscape, not far from the coast and about 2 km north-west of Staffanstorp and 5 km south of Lund. It lies within a geographical region with long traditions seen in the archaeological and historical material. This region cover most parts of western and southern Scania, with Denmark located to the west and continental Europe to the south. Several settlements, grave monuments, graves and finds from the Stone Age and the Bronze Age show the early establishments in the region. During the Iron Age, market- and trading places developed and settlements grew, indicating the economic importance and good location. A large number of churches were during the early Middle Ages built in the region, most probably as a result of the positive economic situation.

Within the municipality of Staffanstorp, settlements, grave monuments, graves and finds from the Stone Age (9000 – 1800 BC), the Bronze Age (1800 – 500 BC) and the Iron Age (500 BC –1050 AD) are registered. At Uppåkra today, two mounds are the only visible remains reminding us of the fantastic site that once was a regional centre. There have been at least four mounds on the rise. Regarding their individual dating, they might be dated to the Early Iron Age, but they could also have been erected during the Bronze Age. The unique continuity of occupation at the site, has its first traces dated to Pre-Roman Iron Age (500 BC- the Birth of Christ, also known as the Celtic Iron Age) and continued throughout the first millennium AD. Uppåkra is the largest occupation site in southern Sweden with occupation remains found within an area of approximately 1,1 x 0,6 km (about 40 hectare). Results from drillings show that occupation layers within four larger areas are more than one metre thick, and can even have a thickness of more than two metres. The thick occupation layers could also be indicated by the high percentage of phosphate being measured in the cultivated lands of Uppåkra in the 1930’s. Phosphate was then measured in the cultivated lands of Scania as help to find the most suitable areas to grow sugar beets on. Uppåkra had the highest percentage and concentration! Thick occupation layers show that the people have chosen to stay within a specific area for a very long time, building new houses not far from where the old ones were torn down. This, together with the remains and traces of different kinds of activities, created the occupation layers that can be found today.

In 1934, house constructing took place at the site and this revealed finds that led to the first excavation. The occupation layers had a thickness of more than two metres, and the site was then estimated to cover an area of about 100 x 110 m. Today, as mentioned before, the site is more likely to cover an area of approximately 1,1 x 0,6 km.

Uppåkra was set in focus again in 1996 through a project about the social structure in southern Sweden during the Iron Age. The use of metal detectors has been a very useful complement to the excavations. A Danish group of people with long experience of working with metal detectors have been of great help. Several surveys have been done, giving sensational results. Over 20 000 objects have been found in the plough zone! Most of the objects found by metal detector are dated to the Late Iron Age (400-1050 AD), because of the limitation to the plough zone. Many finds are well preserved despite the fact that the land has been cultivated for a very long time. With the exact location of the finds, it is possible in a computer to see the spread and eventual concentrations of different objects over the site. It is also interesting to see the spread of dateable objects representing different time periods. All these objects are useful for the understanding of the site, its functions and activities. Without them, important information would be lost.

Gullåkra bog is situated 2 km southeast of Uppåkra, just outside Staffanstorp. This bog has been used for votive offerings for a long period of time. There are finds dated to the Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. Its location close to Uppåkra indicates that people from the site probably used the bog for sacrifices too. Several finds have been made. Finds to be mentioned: a torc made of bronze and four lanceheads. The torc is dated to Pre-Roman Iron Age (500 BC - the Birth of Christ, Celtic Iron Age), and the lanceheads can be dated to around 200 - 500 AD. One of them has been deliberately bent.

An old road, with a possible origin in the Iron Age, runs through the site and parts of it are still used today. The road probably stretched from the north-west coast of Scania to the southern coast, passing and connecting important locations along its way.

A runic stone in Hjärup is the only inscription found close to Uppåkra, showing the contacts and importance of the area. It was erected around the year 1000 AD. The inscription gives the information that a man, Navne, had the stone erected in memory of his brother Toke, who died somewhere west.
 

The Staffanstorp area

The Uppåkra area

Uppåkra-occupation layers

The runic stone in Hjärup