Amazing Iron Age Female Burial in Sweden Uncovers Mysterious Funerary Traditions

Recent excavations by the National History Museum of Sweden in the Pryssgården cemetery near Norrköping have uncovered an Iron Age female burial with unexpected features. This site, dated between 500 BCE and 400 CE, displays a diversity of funerary practices that intrigue archaeologists, including the presence of an iron knife embedded in a woman's grave.

This discovery raises questions about the symbolism and funerary rituals specific to this era, offering a rare perspective on ancient beliefs and social practices. Supervised by Moa Gillberg and Tamara Gomez Kobayashi, archaeologists affiliated with the National History Museum of Sweden, this exploration deepens our understanding of burial customs in pre-Christian Scandinavia, while revealing the importance of personal items in female burials.

A cemetery rediscovered thanks to ancient texts

The Pryssgården region is located in eastern Sweden near the city of Norrköping. It is home to an ancient cemetery whose history dates back several thousand years. Although the site had been explored in the past, no in-depth excavation had validated the precise historical mentions of its existence. A text from 1667, written by the priest Ericus Hemengius, reported the presence of tumulus visible from the church of Östra Eneby. In this description, Hemengius spoke of small mounds, observed in the light of “fires visible on autumn nights”. This suggested ancient ritual practices, without however precisely locating the burials. This documentation remained a source of speculation for a long time until current excavations finally brought tangible evidence of this mysterious cemetery.

In the spring, archaeologists undertook systematic investigations. They quickly revealed the presence of human remains as well as various funerary objects. The preliminary excavation made it possible to find fragments of human bones. Fibulae (costume brooches) and a clothing pin were also found. All these artifacts demonstrate a way of life marked by the use of symbolic adornments. These initial discoveries therefore confirmed the existence of the cemetery described by Hemengius. Using modern methods, archaeologists have been able to map the exact locations of several tombs and structures. They gradually revealed the organization and specificities of this Iron Age necropolis.

A unique and intriguing burial

Among the fifty tombs unearthed at Pryssgården, that of a woman particularly intrigues archaeologists with an unusual element. It is a knife with a folding iron handle, planted vertically in the ground of the grave. This type of object is rarely associated with female burials of the time. But here, it seems to have been placed intentionally to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. According to Moa Gillberg, it appears clear that the knife was intended for him, but its exact role remains enigmatic. Unlike ceremonial knives, this well-preserved folding model suggests daily or domestic use. There is some evidence to suggest that it could have been used for treating hides, a widespread activity during the Iron Age. This would make the knife a utilitarian object rather than a symbolic one. However, its location in the tomb suggests that it could also have a ritual dimension.

The condition of the skeleton allowed researchers to gather valuable information about the life of this woman. An analysis of the bones revealed traces of arthritis in the toe. A likely sign of the grueling physical conditions she faced on a daily basis. This anatomical detail indicates repetitive and physical activities, consistent with a lifestyle where demanding manual tasks were the norm. The presence of the knife could thus reflect the importance of his work in the community, but this interpretation remains speculative. The association of a knife in a female tomb from this period therefore remains rare.

Varied funeral practices

Additionally, the Pryssgården burial site offers a rich insight into mortuary practices characterizing Iron Age Scandinavia. The majority of tombs found show cremated remains, a dominant ritual at that time for treating remains. Human ashes and bone fragments were often found placed in simple pits. They were covered with an arrangement of small stones placed symmetrically, thus marking the resting place without erecting complex monuments. This choice of a modest cover perhaps reflects material constraints or a cultural preference for discreet but structured brands. Some burials, however, are distinguished by thicker layers of ash. In other words more abundant cremated remains, suggesting ritual variations. Two tombs close to each other particularly caught the attention of researchers. One was devoid of personal objects and contained only a few animal bones. The other, richer in ashes, housed the body of the woman equipped with her iron knife, reinforcing the idea that social or individual differences influenced funerary practices.

Similar burials in the Fiskeby area show that women were sometimes given items such as needles, but rarely tools as specific as a knife. This particular case raises questions about social roles and burial practices in this Iron Age community. Which adds a layer of mystery to this unique discovery.

This distribution of tools in tombs could reflect a specific status or distinct role occupied by these women within their communities. We could also see a possible symbolism of tools as objects of protection or continuity of skills in the afterlife. However, archaeologists remain cautious in their interpretations, without additional data.

An archaeological investigation still in progress

Excavations at Pryssgården have also revealed architectural remains that enrich the understanding of the social and spatial organization of this Iron Age site. In addition to the tombs, archaeologists have uncovered the foundations of two dwellings and a warehouse. They testify to the coexistence of residential and funerary structures. This type of configuration suggests that the spaces of life and death were closely linked. According to experts, this could reflect cult practices where ancestors continued to symbolically “cohabit” with the living.

Archaeologist Moa Gillberg is excavating one of the tombs. © Henrik Pihl, Archaeologist

A pit, first interpreted as a grave, was eventually revealed to be a posthole, indicating the possible presence of a superstructure. Perhaps intended to delimit or protect the burial area? These architectural features could also have served as landmarks or memorials. Archaeologists hope to discover other traces of these buildings to understand how the constructions could structure the space, thus influencing movements and activities around the burials.

Source: Arkeologerna