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Almost 140 pieces of jewellery, or parts of jewellery have been found at the excavation in Fröjel. This is about the same amount of artifacts found at Paviken, and almost three times as many as found in Bandlundeviken. Then, it must be noticed that the total investigated area at Paviken is three times as extensive as in Fröjel, and at Bandlundeviken five times as extensive. This point to a remarkable richness of jewellery and pieces of jewellery at Fröjel.
A look at the material from Fröjel gives a clear notion that the artifacts are mostly from the Iron Age, meaning from around the 7th century well into the 12th century. Having in mind that, many artifacts from the area in question handed over to the museum obviously come from destroyed graves, it seems reasonable to believe that much of the jewellery we have found in connection with our excavations, has come from destroyed graves.
In this issue of the newsletter, I will present the main groups of artifacts found at Fröjel during the excavations in 1987 to 1990. To begin with, I shall deal with the typical Gotlandic female brooches. Then, I will deal with different categories of artifacts, which will illustrate the composition of jewellery found at Fröjel. Finally, I will give some examples of moulds, giving some reflection to the manufacturing at the site.
The climax of the day is without doubt when you find a gold plated round brooch. All the stones you have carried of all the sudden seem so light. Photo Dan Carlsson. |