Early Roman Iron Age Burials in Denmark II

from:

Erling Albrechtsen

Fynske Jernaldergrave II: Ældre Romersk Jernalder, Einar Munksgaard,
1956

[Iron Age Graves from Fyn: Early Roman Iron Age]

VI Conclusion

... only one conclusion seems possible: Before 250 CE and back in
Early Roman Iron Age the Heruli people must have lived on the Dnaish
islands between the Oeresund and the Little Belt, probably also in
North Scheswig [I disagree, probably not on Sjaelland].

It must however be admitted that the earth finds oly to a certain
degree corroborates this insight. The early Roman finds can only
partly be overviewed due to lack of publication; however a
distinction seems dscernible between Sjaelland and Fyn (p. 139, 230).
This applies in particular to the grave forms. On Sjaelland
inhumation is the most common, and the north-south orientation af the
graves shows a connection to the east towards Sweden. On Fyn however
cremation is dominating as in South Jutland and North Schleswig.
Striking is the close correspondence between the finds in the two
areas, especially as concerns the pottery. If anything might be
concluded on basis of the archaeological material about the identity
of peoples, it must be in the area Fyn-North Schleswig. In connection
with this the great bog finds of the older type cannot be left
unmentioned. If the Torsbjerg and Viemose finds are sacrificial
deposits, which must be seen in connection with fights between Dani
and Heruli, then that researh seems to be right which lets the Danes'
first campaign of conquest be dicted against North Schleswig plus
possibly Fyn. The Vimose find is of a rather closed nature, the
objects of which cover the 3rd century CE or the larger part of it,
but in such a way that a few fibulas and shield buckles go back to
the time just before 200 CE. Also certain of the fibulas of the
Torsbjerg find belong to the late 2nd century CE.


[T: I have translated Soenderjylland as "North Schleswig", and
Sydjylland as "South Jutland". Please note that "North Schleswig" is
the Southern part of Jutland in Denmark today, and that "South
Jutland" is Jutland immediately north thereof.]

Torsten