Gamla Uppsala, Archaeological complex in Uppsala, Sweden
Gamla Uppsala is an archaeological complex in Uppsala Municipality, Sweden, featuring three large burial mounds. Each mound rises between 29 and 32 feet and spreads across a wide grassy plain.
The site was used as a royal burial ground during the late Iron Age and later became a religious center. Archaeologists discovered remains from the fifth century, including cremated bones and grave goods that point to Scandinavian burial customs.
The location served as a gathering point for religious ceremonies among early Swedish ancestors. Today visitors walk through the open landscape where these rituals took place more than a thousand years ago.
The onsite museum displays finds from excavations and offers guided tours during the summer months. Visitors can also explore the mounds and surrounding grounds independently using a smartphone app that provides detailed information.
Archaeologists found ivory gaming pieces and cameos from the Near East dating to the fourth century inside the graves. These objects show that far-reaching trade connections already existed during this early period.
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