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The first purpose of this dissertation is to describe and discuss the development of the Iron Age society in Scania. The second purpose is to discuss the relations between Scania and the neighbouring areas. The Iron Age society was hierarchical and ruled by different types of leaders, usually cheiftains or kings. To maintain and develop the social system different social groups acted in society. Special functions were often concentrated to central places, which played an important role in society. These functions were necessary in the social, political, religious and economic life of the society. The structure of the society changed during the Iron Age and the development varied from region to region. The social structure is seen in a long-time perspective and the development is analysed in five phases. The archaeological material is large, and graves, settlements, depots, single finds and monuments are the most common types. The material has an uneven spread in Scania. From 500 to 100 B.C. the social structure of society had much in common with the Late Bronze Age. An intensification in sacrifices might indicate changes. From 100 B.C. to 300 A.D. the emergence of a new social class is indicated by rich graves and central places. The new cheiftains normally ruled over rather restricted areas. The third phase is dated from 300 to 550/600 and many small units grew together. Conquest and creating alliances are the political strategies, and gold and other prestige finds were used as gifts in the social life. The central places develops, and specalized craft and long-distance trade are clearly indicated in the source material. During the fourth phase, i.e. from 550/600 to 700, the find material becomes domestic with a large amount of fibulas. There is a shift in the economic strategies where arable land and other privilegies were given to lojal subjects. This might have been the embryo of the magnate farms in Scandinavia. The fifth phase can be dated from 700 and into the Early Middle Ages. The North Sea Area and the Baltic becomes integrated in a common net of trade relations. Special ports-of-trade emerges in Scandinavia. In the late 8th century the Viking raids starts and Scandinavia becomes even more connected with Western Europe. At the turn of the first millenium a Danish kingdom is united which becomes a powerful unit in the early 11th century. |
