Vendel Period
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In
During the period, Swedish expeditions began to explore the waterways of territories which later became Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The Elder Futhark writing system was abandoned in favor of the Younger Futhark, virtually simultaneously over the whole of Scandinavia. Some runestones survive, most notably those at Rök and Sparlösa, both from c. 800. Other written sources are few and hard to interpret: a few Icelandic sagas, the tale of Beowulf, and accounts from some southern European writers. Earlier Swedish historians tried to make use of these to create a coherent history, but this effort has largely been abandoned, and the period is now mostly studied by archaeologists.[2]
Background
The Germanic Iron Age is divided into the Early Germanic Iron Age (EGIA) and the Late Germanic Iron Age (LGIA). It is particularly for Sweden that the late Germanic iron age spanning between 550–800 is called the Vendel era. In Norway and Finland it is more common to refer to the period as the
The late Germanic Iron Age begins with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the rise of the Gothic kingdoms in Europe, later replaced by the Franks, the Lombards and the Avar Khaganate. After the Western Roman Empire fell, gold became scarce and Scandinavians began to make objects of gilded bronze, with decorative figures of interlacing animals. During the early Germanic Iron Age, decorations tended to be representational; the animal figures were drawn in more basic forms. In the later Germanic Iron Age, artistic styles became more abstract, symbolic, and intricate, including figures with interlaced shapes and limbs.
The upheaval in Europe appears to have lessened somewhat due to the gradual cessation of the
In
Burial customs
Several areas with rich burial gifts have been found, including well-preserved boat inhumation graves at Vendel and Valsgärde, and tumuli at Gamla Uppsala. These were used for several generations.
Some of the riches were probably acquired through the control of mining districts and the production of iron. The rulers had troops of mounted elite warriors with costly armour. Graves of mounted warriors have been found with stirrups and saddle ornaments of birds of prey in gilded bronze with encrusted garnets.
Rich grave goods indicate a royal or high status burial. For example chess pieces made of ivory in the Roman style are found in the western grave, and buttons made of gold and three Middle Eastern cameos have also been found along with Frankish clothes made of gold thread.[3]
Games were popular, as is shown in finds of tafl games, including pawns and dice.
The
Written sources
Mounted elite warriors are mentioned in the work of the 6th century Goth scholar
Due to
Timeline of Swedish history
See also
References
- ^ Harrison (2009), p. 68
- ^ Harrison (2009), pp. 21-23
- ^ Västhögen. "Västhögen". Arkeologi Gamla Uppsala (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
- ^ Bruce-Mitford, Rupert (1974). Aspects of Anglo-Saxon Archaeology: Sutton Hoo and Other Discoveries. London: Victor Gollancz.
- ^ "The Project Gutenberg eBook of Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem".
- JSTOR 27700194.
- ISBN 978-0-85991-472-7.
Sources
- Jesch, Judith (ed.) (2012). The Scandinavians from the Vendel Period to the Tenth Century: An Ethnographic Perspective, Boydell Press, 2012. ISBN 9781843837282
- Harrison, Dick. Sveriges historia: 600–1350. Norstedts. Stockholm: 2009. ISBN 9789113023779
- Hyenstrand, Åke. Lejonet, draken och korset. Sverige 500–1000 [The Lion, the Dragon, and the Cross. Sweden 500–1000]. Enskede: TBP, 2002.