DOI: 10.33547/terra.fertilis12
Sorte Muld, Bornholm. Recent excavations, weapons and cloisonné objects from the 6th to 7th centuries AD
by Ulla Lund Hansen 
, Anne Nørgård Jørgensen , Finn Ole Nielsen , Michael Thorsen and Margrethe Watt
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. 195-217.
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Abstract: This paper presents the results of recent archaeological investigations at Sorte Muld on the island of Bornholm, one of the most significant central places in the Baltic region during the Late Iron Age (ca. 200 BC–AD 800). The study focuses on weapons, cloisonné-decorated objects, and associated material culture from the 6th–7th centuries AD, aiming to reassess the site’s role within wider socio-political and economic networks.
The analysis of gold and garnet cloisonné artefacts—primarily interpreted as fittings from high-status swords or equestrian equipment—demonstrates strong connections with elite material culture across Europe, including parallels to the Staffordshire Hoard and Frankish contexts. These objects, alongside evidence of local craftsmanship such as moulds, crucibles, and unfinished products, indicate the presence of specialised workshops and participation in long-distance exchange networks, particularly involving garnet imports from regions such as India and Sri Lanka.
Weapon finds, including numerous lances, spears, and sword fittings, reveal patterns consistent with ritual deposition. Their association with animal remains suggests sacrificial practices linked to communal feasting and ceremonial activities. Spatial analysis shows that these deposits are concentrated around central structures, including a multi-phase cult building enclosed within a defined area, reinforcing the interpretation of Sorte Muld as a key ritual and assembly site.
The combined evidence points to Sorte Muld functioning as a multifunctional centre: a seat of elite power, a hub of craft production and trade, and a focal point for religious and political gatherings. Despite its insular location, the site played a central role in regional and interregional dynamics, illustrating how so-called peripheral areas could operate as influential nodes within early medieval Europe.