Stratigraphic analysis and settlement stratigraphy in Early Medieval Sigtuna. Methods and preliminary resutls.

Abstract

In early June 1990, the excavation campaign Sigtuna Excavations 1988-90, in the town block ofTrädgårdsmästaren, was completed. This was one ofthe most exten sive medieval archaeological investigations carried out in Sweden. The excavation, situated centrally in the
early medieval town, covered an area ofsome 1100 m² ofcultural deposits, containing the building remains ofa dense settlement. In Sigtuna, we stressed the importance offull on-site interpretion ofthe features as excav-ated. It has been demonstrated that the site cross-sections together with dendro-chronological datings, independently dated finds, and an awareness of the settle-ment-structure, can raise the results ofthe stratigraphic analysis, from a relative to an absolute dating ofthe phases. Settlement development on the site can be divided into ten phases covering the whole area from the late 10th to the early 13th centuries, from short town yards
without any special division of function to long plots containg dwelling-houses at the far end and workshops near the main street.