Vestvågøy - 21
Borg House Remains I:Ia

Site/Artefact
Borg farm number 93

Type
House remains from Borg I:Ia

Site Number
Nr. 4a

NGO Grid Reference
22483,1
1141836,1

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Borg House Remains

schematic

the dig Description
Placing of the house at a focal point in the landscape, imported artefacts, and size of the house, are all elements indicating a centre of power and influence, a Chieftain's house from pagan times in Lofoten.

In the 10th Century, the house seems to have been abounded, or pulled down. At least it is not in use after this period. Could this have been the house of Olaf Tvennumbryni, the Chieftain who left to Iceland to settle with his people?

Why leave to Iceland? Based on what causes? And what kind of changes were operating in the society, here at the Sacred Heights? What kind of archaeological material and written sources can tell us about changes from Pagan times towards Christianity.

Excavation Details
Remains of this house site resulted in large scale excavations from 1986-1989. The results showed two house sites covering each other, dated from AD 200-1000. Priority was given the house foundation I:Ia, which is interpreted as the remains of a Chieftain's Residence. The oldest house foundation (Borg I:Ib) is dated back to the Early Iron age, and measured 67 m in length and 6-7 m wide. It seems that this house was pulled down to build a bigger house about AD 700. This house foundation (Borg I:Ia) measured 83 m in length and about 9 m wide and was probably erected, or pulled down in the middle of the 10th Century. This is one of the biggest house foundations excavated from the Merovingian Period and Viking period in Scandinavia.

Artefacts found in different rooms in the house bear witness of a mighty Chieftain. Imported drinking vessels, clay-sherds from fine tankards and fine work of gold filigree, are only some examples which shed light on long distance travelling or at least contacts with areas from far away. In one of the postholes in the banquet hall, five small gold leaf amulets were found.

Could these be archaeological remains of religious rituals in pagan times? And what do we know about day to day activities and handcrafts?

Access/Ownership
Lofotr Vikingmuseum at Borg

References

Borg in Lofoten- a chieftains farm in Northern Norway 2003, (Red.) Gerd S. Munch, Olav Sverre Johansen og Else Roesdahl. Arkeologiske Skrifter nr. 1, Lofotr- Vikingmuseet pŒ Borg.

Check out the following sections of the website for related information:

26. Borg House Site
27. Borg House Sites
28. Borg Farm Ruins
29. Borg Medieval Sites
30. Borg Burial Mounds
31. Borg Possible Settlement
32. Borg Medieval House Site
33. Borg Boat Houses
34. Burial Mound
35. Burial Mound
36. Borg Burial Mound
37. Borg Modern Church
38. Bøstad Burial Cairn
39. Bøstad Removed Burials
40. Bøstad - Courtyard
41. Boat House and Burial
42. Bøstad House Sites
43. Bøstad Farm Mound
44. Rystad Boat Houses
45. Rystad Burial Mound
46. Burial and Farm Mound
47. Rystad Burial Mound
48. Rystad - Burials
49. Rystad Burial Cairn
50. Handberg Charcoal-Pits

51. Handberg Farm Mound
52. Handberg Charcoal Pit - 1
53. Handberg Charcoal Pit -2
54. Handberg Charcoal Pit - 3
55. Handberg Charcoal Pit - 4
56. Handberg Charcoal Pits
57. Handberg Charcoal Pit
58. Vendalsjord
59. Lie Burial Mound
60. Lie Boat House
61. Lie
62. Løvdal
63. Borgfjord Indre
64. Sletteng
65. Borgfjord Ytre
66. Ytre Borgfjord - Burial
67. Borgfjord Ytre
68. Ytre Borgfjord
69. Borgfjord Ytre
70. Hagvåg Boat House
71. Hagvåg Burial Mound
72. Hagvåg Bridge Construction
73. Evjen Farm Mound

Mayo - Vestvågøy - Mid-Argyll

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Vestvågøy - 21 Borg House Remains I:Ia

Vestvågøy Sites and Artefacts

Mayo - Vestvågøy - Mid-Argyll

Vestvågøy - 21
Borg House Remains I:Ia