During the Pre-Roman Iron Age and on into the Vendel Period, we find animal and human sacrifices. Between the 2nd to the 5th centuries large quantities of military equipment were also deposited. This site is considered a war booty bog site, with another one located at Finnestorp in Västergötland. It is thought the booty comes from the spoils of war and was deposited there by the victors.

The remains of around 50 human sacrificial victims including adults and children have been found along with burial objects including possessions of gold rings, swords, spearheads, arrows, axes, belt fittings, beads and haircombs. Human sacrifices were also known to be common during the main viking period.

It appears that horse sacrifices were an important ritual at the site and many horses were frequently sacrificed there. During a 100 year period, covering AD 400-500, more than 100 horses remains were found. It is interesting to note that the heads and feet of the horses were preserved, attached to the skin, while the rest of the animal was consumed at the sacrificial feasts.

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Credits

Digital Anthropologist: Eddas and Vedas:
Dialogues with the Past: A. Monikander

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Elenwe Yngling
Fred Scylding

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