Borgring. Uncovering the strategy for a Viking Age ring fortress in Denmark

Authors

  • Jonas Christensen Museum Southeast Denmark
  • Aoife Daly Saxo Institute, University of Copenhagen
  • Peter Steen Henriksen Environmental Archaeology and Materials Science, The National Museum of Denmark
  • Nanna Holm Museum Southeast Denmark
  • Catherine Jessen Environmental Archaeology and Materials Science, The National Museum of Denmark
  • Sofie Jørgensen Museum Southeast Denmark
  • Line Olesen Museum Southeast Denmark
  • Jesper Olsen Aarhus AMS Centre (AARAMS), Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University
  • Maja Kildetoft Schultz Museum Southeast Denmark
  • Søren Michael Sindbæk Aarhus University
  • Jens Ulriksen Museum Southeast Denmark

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7146/dja.v10i0.121920

Keywords:

Viking Age, ring fortress, fortification, war, monument symbolism

Abstract

In 2014, Borgring, near Køge, Denmark, was identified as the fifth geometrical Viking Age ring fortress in Denmark, complementing an exclusive group of monuments including Trelleborg. Excavations and surveys in 2016–18 allow a detailed reconstruction of the site and its history. Borgring is a fortification with the same geometry, construction, and location as other Trelleborg-type fortresses, though exhibiting notable differences. Finds, including beads, ornaments, and iron tools, reflect activities and links to other fortress sites. The dating of Borgring is established with reference to wiggle-matched 14C dates.

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Published

2021-07-22 — Updated on 2022-01-11

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How to Cite

Christensen, J., Daly, A., Henriksen, P. S., Holm, N., Jessen, C., Jørgensen, S., Olesen, L., Olsen, J., Schultz, M. K., Sindbæk, S. M., & Ulriksen, J. (2022). Borgring. Uncovering the strategy for a Viking Age ring fortress in Denmark. Danish Journal of Archaeology, 10, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.7146/dja.v10i0.121920 (Original work published July 22, 2021)

Issue

Vol. 10 (2021)

Section

Research Article

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