DOI: 10.33547/terra.fertilis15
New light on Husby in Glanshammar, Närke, Sweden in the Vendel Period AD 540–790
by Martin Rundkvist 
in Terra fertilis, terra deserta. Exploitation of marginal zones, edited by M. J. Przybyła, J. Rodzińska-Nowak and M. Wojenka, Neue Studien zur Sachsenforschung 15, Braunschweig – Kraków: Braunschweigische Landesmuseum, Uniwersytet Jagielloński, Profil-Archeo, pp. 257-264.
Download free PDF 
Abstract: This article presents new archaeological evidence and interpretations concerning the site of Husby in Glanshammar, Närke, Sweden, during the Vendel Period (c. AD 540–790). The study synthesizes data from earlier excavations (1990s), rescue archaeology (1997–98), and a recent metal detector survey conducted in 2021, offering a comprehensive overview of the site’s development and function.
The results indicate that Husby evolved from a modest farmstead around AD 500 into an elite manorial complex by the early 7th century, marked by the construction of a large hall building. Archaeological features, including building remains and surrounding structures, suggest deliberate spatial organization and long-term occupation. The presence of high-status architecture reflects the emergence of local elites and the site’s growing regional importance.
A key contribution of the article is the detailed analysis of craft production at Husby. Evidence for bronze casting, goldsmithing, iron smelting, textile production, and bone/antler working demonstrates a remarkable concentration of specialized skills. Notably, finds such as casting moulds, a gold foil figure, and a waffle die used in cloisonné production highlight connections with elite artistic traditions across Scandinavia and beyond.
The study argues that Husby was not a peripheral settlement but a strategically located centre situated along important communication routes linking Närke with eastern Sweden. Its proximity to other elite sites, such as Hassle, challenges models of isolated aristocratic estates and instead suggests a denser network of high-status settlements.