A new clue towards solving the puzzle of the Nonnebakke contruction in Odense

Abstract

A new due towards salving the puzzle of the Nonnebakke construction in Odense

Conjectures about the Danish Vikings are inextricably linked to the intriguing ring-fortresses of Trelleborg, Aggersborg and Fyrkat. The existence of the fortresses has been known for a good half century. Their dating and interpretation has been discussed again and again on the basis of the comprehensive archaeological excavations. The dendrochronological dating of Trelleborg and more recently Fyrkat added a new dimension to the discussion. The fourth supposed ring-work -Nonnebakken in Odense- has been given up by the sceptics on the grounds that only very few, uncertain, earth-finds have been made that can safely be linked with the construction. Today the ring-work lies under houses and streets, and possibilities for further archaeological investigations in the area are very limited.

In connection with a major construction project in the vicinity of the supposed ring-work, however, a good opportunity arose to carry out archaeological observations. It proved possible to establish that on the north side of the fortress, the side nearest Odense River (fig. 2), there was a V-shaped moat, 2½ m wide and 89 cm deep (fig. 4). The moat had undoubtedly been deeper, but the upper part of it had been removed in 1909 during major earth-removing work in the area.

The filling from the moat, when investigated, contained no finds, but from one of the lower layers came a single loose piece of oak timber. Provided that only the sapwood is missing, the dendrochronological dating puts the year of felling at around 980.

Compared to earlier finds and observations, there can be no remaining doubt that Nonnebakken should be seen in the same terms as the other known Viking fortresses. As regards the moat's width and angle of inclination, respectively ca. 2½ m and 40°, together with the berm's width of ca. 8 m, remarkable similarities between Nonnebakken and Aggersborg have now been documented.

Niels M. Jensen & Jens Sørensen

Fyns Stiftsmuseum & Læsø Museum