Mjäryds gravfält

Mjäryd's hills in Ljungby municipality is a burial ground with around 175 graves, of which 130 are mounds from the Late Iron Age. There are also stones from the older Iron Age here. Among the hills rises the so-called Jättehögen, a mighty tomb decorated for an important man or woman.

In the fertile countryside around Prästebodaån, a rich people lived during the Iron Age. The area had the best possible agricultural land, of which there are traces of cultivation still remaining today.

Around the cultivated land were the farms of the population and a burial ground. Of the approximately 175 graves found here, 130 are from the Late Iron Age (5th-11th centuries AD). 42 raised stones and a stone circle are from the older part of the Iron Age (500 BC - 500 AD).

The name Mjäryd is believed to come from the clearing at the mjäle where the word mjäle means loose fine sandy soil.

THE GRAVES FROM THE YOUNGER IRON AGE

In the tombs from the Late Iron Age, archaeologists found traces of a wealthy upper class. Glass beads and costume buckles were found in the women's graves, weapons and the equipment needed by a warrior on horseback in the men's graves. Swords have also been found and it is known that weapons and warrior identity were important in the upper strata of the social classes of the Younger Iron Age. The findings paint a picture of the role model for the medieval knight.

THE VIKING AGE - RUNE STONES WERE RAISED BY THE MIGHTY

During the Viking Age, which falls around AD 800-1050, the so-called folklands were ruled by "petty kings" with local big farmers as the king's representatives. These great farmers were then buried in lavish tombs filled with weapons and other objects that could symbolize power and wealth.

During the Christianization of Småland (during the 11th-12th centuries) it was large farmers who had the churches built. They also manifested their power and wealth by erecting rune stones. The large farmers could be both men and women.

Text from the Norwegian Property Agency

This text is AI-generated.