Valsgärde, Archaeological burial ground in Uppsala Municipality, Sweden.
Valsgärde is a grave field near Uppsala containing roughly a hundred burials built in different styles across several centuries. The landscape displays visible mounds and sunken areas where boat graves, cremation sites, and chamber tombs were once constructed.
The burial ground served as a cemetery for prominent warriors mainly between the 5th and 11th centuries. Boat graves began appearing in the 6th century, marking a shift toward more elaborate burial rituals for the highest-ranking individuals.
The burial methods at this site reveal how Nordic communities expressed social rank and beliefs through their funeral practices. Walking across the field, you notice how different grave types clustered together, suggesting family groups and their standing within the settlement.
The site sits roughly three kilometers north of Old Uppsala and is easily reached on foot or by bicycle. Year-round access is available, and informational markers help visitors understand the different grave types scattered across the field.
Weapons, jewelry, and sometimes animal remains were placed inside the boat graves with the deceased. These artifacts match items discovered at other Norse burial sites across Scandinavia and England, suggesting far-reaching trade networks.
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