Archaeobotanical investigations at Vendel and Valsgärde

Abstract

A suummary is given of archacobotanical investigations (early and recent) performed at Vendel and Valsgärde and to ome extent also at Gamla Uppsala. The main methods used are the analysis of fossil plant remains, plant tissues in charred bread and imprints on ceramics. Barley (Hordeum sp.) is the dominant cereal, but bread-clubwheat (Triticumaestivio-compactun), emmer/spelt wheat (T. dicoccum/spelta), oars (Avena sp.) and rye (Secale cereale) also occur, though rye only as an imprint on ceramics. Other cultivated plants include flax (Linum usitatissimum), hemp (Cannabis saliva) and peas (Pisum sativum var. arvense), the two latter as imprints, but pea flour is also found in charred grave bread. Field weeds and wet meadow plants occur, as do hazelnuts (Corylus avellana), bilberrica ( Vaccinium myrtillus) and possibly crowberries (V. vitis idea), evidently the results Junpier berries (Juniperus communis) may also have been gathered. Can for the strikting increase n finds of bread-clubwheat in eastern central Sweden during the Late Iron Age be discussed in terms of southeastern contacts and impact from high-status settlements such as Valsgärde in this region, or are there.