Kök eller hall? : Arkeologisk undersökning i Gamla Skogsby september och oktober 2023

This report presents the results of Linnaeus University’s archaeological excavation in September and October 2023 at Gamla Skogsby, central western Öland. The excavation, which is the fifth in a series of investigations at the site, meant the completion of the investigation of House XI, which is thus now fully excavated. The investigation in 2023 included a trench of approx. 80 m2 in direct connection to the west to the previously investigated area. The goal of covering the western gable of the house within this area was fulfilled, and the westernmost approx. 3 m of the shaft thus included an area outside the gable of the house towards the west. In total, house XI measures 35.4 m from gable wall to gable wall, which makes it a relatively large three-aisled long house still about 20 m shorter than the 55 m long house which is located right next to it to the east. House XI was built during the 5th century and was used into the 6th century. The house burned down, was rebuilt in the same place and burned down again. The age of the 55 m building is still unknown. The contexts identified and investigated in 2023 include culture layers, stone pavings, postholes, stone walls and other features mostly related to the building and using of house XI, but also related to events older than the house. The finds are strongly dominated by animal bones, but also includes ceramics, iron objects, a fragment from an ancient glass vessel and a small bronze button. The amount of finds is generally modest in comparison to the investigations in 2022. The number of iron objects however was higher, including a depot find recovered in connection with the west wall of the house. Here, three miniature objects in the form of a spearhead, a chisel and a scythe were found in connection with a damaged part of the western gable wall. The find is interpreted as a building sacrifice and adds to the series of sacrificial finds of primarily animal bones but also other things that relate to various phases and events in the construction, use and abandonment of the house. Apart from the excavation results, the report includes a proper review of available historical maps of the area, as well as a detailed account of the various public-oriented activities that were carried out in connection with the survey in Gamla Skogsby 2023. When the investigations in Gamla Skogsby began in 2019, the idea was to investigate the small square house of about 10 x 10 m which was assumed to be located right next to the western gable of the 55 m long ”chieftain’s hall”. The purpose was to determine whether it was a house and, if so, to more closely characterize its shape, size and function. Five excavation seasons later, we can now establish that it was indeed a house, although not a small square one but a 35.4 m long three-aisled house from the Migration period with a relatively long period of use and a large find material. The variety of sacrificial finds, in combination with other observations, has led to a reevaluation of the interpretation of the house’s function, from first being perceived as dominated by large-scale cooking to considerations of a hall function where not least the size and layout of the house are important.