Vendelzeit

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vendelzeit is the name of an era in Sweden's early history between 550 and 800 AD. It is named after the Vendel region in the central Swedish province of Uppland . The preceding epochs were the Germanic Iron Age and the Migration Period in Central Europe. The Vendelzeit follows the Viking Age throughout Scandinavia . The Vendel reached its zenith in Uppland and Gotland , where the early and middle Stones the Vendelstil meet and fall in this period.

One of the numerous special forms of grave structures in this epoch are the boat graves from the Vendel period , which were excavated at Tuna, Ulltuna, Uppsala, Valsgärde and Vendel. The most common form of burial was cremation and the dumping of ashes (with and without urn ) under mounds of earth or stone. A grave form predominant on Gotland is the circular stone setting , with a careful border of laid limestone tiles, as on the burial ground of Trullhalsar . Body burials also occur, especially on Gotland. During this time, the Domarringar (judge rings), the Nordic shape of stone circles , e.g. B. in the cemetery of Blomsholm .

The ornamentation developed to a high level, to the style named after Vendel. The Gotland picture stones and grave boxes are an expression of artistic endeavors. They can also be found in Courland , where they document trade relations ( Bildstein von Priediens ) with the Baltic in Grobin, the traditional town of Seeburg . The glass of the Vendel period, which is particularly well-known from Helgö, is one of the gems of this time, as are precious fibulae and the golden pressed sheets . In the area around Lake Mälaren, the Svearreich , the last pagan empire of the North Germanic peoples , arises . It is spreading quickly and gives Sweden its name. Ultimately, this period introduced increased trade with the East and the colonialism of the Rus .

  • Spectacle helmet from a boat grave in Vendel, Uppland , Sweden

  • Sword of the Vendelzeit

  • Helmet of the Vendel period

  • The shield from Vendel is similar to that of Sutton Hoo

  • Guldgubber from the Muld variety (Bornholm), 6th century

See also

literature