A Possible Ring Fort from the Late Viking Period in Helsingborg

Abstract

This paper is based on the author's earlier archaeological excavations at St Clemens Church in Helsingborg as well as an investigation in 1987 immediately to the north of the church. On this occasion part of a ditch from a supposed medieval ring fort, estimated to be about a 7o m in diameter, was unexpectedly found. This discovery once again raised the question as to whether an early ring fort had existed here, as suggested by the place name. The probability of such is strengthened by the newly discovered ring forts in south-western Scania: Borgeby and Trelleborg. In terms of time these have been ranked with four circular fortresses in Denmark found much earlier, the dendrochronological dating of which is 980/981. The discoveries of the Scanian ring forts have thrown new light on south Scandinavian history during the period AD 950—1050. This paper can thus be regarded as a contribution to the debate.