Halvdanshaugen, Heritage burial mound at Stein gård, Norway
Halvdanshaugen is a circular burial mound near Stein gård with a diameter of around 58 meters and a height of about 4 meters. The mound rises noticeably from the landscape and forms a clear elevation near Lake Tyrifjorden in Hole municipality.
The mound was built in two phases: the first between 470 and 530 CE, and a second use phase between 870 and 930 CE. Archaeological work in the late 1990s brought these construction periods to light.
The mound connects to the story of King Halfdan the Black, whose head was said to be buried here according to old Norse records. This link has kept the site alive in local memory and made it matter to people who care about Viking heritage.
The mound sits in open countryside and is accessible from the road, making it easy to visit. It is wise to wear comfortable shoes since the ground can be uneven, and walking around the mound helps you see it from different angles.
Archaeologists found traces of a foot trench running around the mound that may have once held water. This water-filled ring was likely part of a careful burial ritual and shows how much planning went into building such burial sites.
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