Vätteryd, Iron Age grave field in Norra Mellby, Sweden
Vätteryd is an Iron Age burial ground situated between Tjörnarp and Sösdala, containing many standing stones along with several stone ships and stone circles. The site sits on a heath and still displays the layout and density of the original burial complex.
The burial site was established between 400 and 900 AD and functioned as an active cemetery during that period. Excavations in the 1950s revealed that individual stones served as fire pits, offering insight into the burial practices of the time.
This burial ground served as a major ceremonial center where the Iron Age community honored their dead with elaborate stone monuments. The artifacts recovered from excavations reveal the prosperity and far-reaching trade connections of the people who lived here.
The burial ground is open to visitors year-round and freely accessible, though the open heath offers little shelter from weather. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and take time to view the stone arrangements from different vantage points.
For centuries this site lay hidden beneath dense vegetation and was virtually unknown to the outside world. Modern archaeological methods eventually revealed the full extent of this remarkable burial complex.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.