Viking Discovery Programme 2007-2009
On the southwest shore of Gotland, Sweden, in Fröjel parish, one of the island's largest and most important Viking Age harbour and trading places has been found. The site was swarming with activity over a period of 4-500 years. For several years, we have been running a research programme with the aim to investigate this Viking Port of Trade. Contemporaneously with this research an international archaeological field course has been pursued. The excavation aimed at investigating the social patterns and physical structures of the site. In the year 2005, the field investigation of the site was terminated, and an intensive period of analyses and publishing will be carried out during coming years.

With the investigations about Viking Age harbours on the island terminated, for the moment being, our focus now turns towards the Viking Age farm on the island of Gotland. Some 700 silver hoards displays a fascinating records of farmsteads, while the hoards normally are found inside houses. Though, in spite of the tremendous amount of hoards found, there have been very few detailed studies of Viking Age farms. Beginning in summer 2007, a new project, Viking Discovery Programme, takes it start with the aim to change that pattern. During coming years, designated excavations of Viking farmstead will take place to give a new and better understanding of the Gotlandic farm in the Viking Age, and to cast light on settlement patterns, house constructions and daily life of the Gotlandic farmers.

These field courses will be open to students and amateurs from all over the world, and here is the chance to participate in a fascinating excavation programme!
The worlds biggest silver hoard came to light in the northern part of Gotland in 1999. The hoard, consisting of two parts, weighted some 67 kilos! In all, some 700 silver hoards have been found on the island.
Take part in the Archaeological dig at Klints farm summer 2007!
This year's excavations will take place at Klints farm, situated in the northern part of Gotland. A few years ago, a Viking Age silver hoard was found at the site, when constructing a golf course. More then a thousand coins were collected at the site, consisting both of Arabic, German and English coins.

Besides coins, there where a huge amount of other objects found in the soil, like dresspins, belt buckles, belt decorations and keys.

In spite of what have been collected more or less on the surface, there are still untouched ground to be investigated, and the main aim of the excavation is to get an idea of the exact position of the hoard inside the house, and also the construction of the house itself. We will also investigate the farm's well and other structures.

The course contains all study material, lectures, all equipment, except clothes and gloves, one full day excursion with bus to Viking Age Gotland with a visit to the Historical Museum of Gotland.

There are two options to participate, either during July through Fårösund College for Adult Education, mainly devoted towards Swedish participants (working language is Swedish), or during the end of July and August through ArkeoDok, devoted to participants from all over the world. Working language is English.
For several years, excavations have taken place at the Viking Age harbour at Fröjel. Now the time has come to start investigations of the Viking Age farm on Gotland.
Part of the hoard found at Klints farm, mainly consisting of coins from Arabia, England and Germany. Besides the coins, there were many other Viking Age objects found at the site, giving clear evidence of the existence of a Viking Age house at the site.
Archaeological Field Courses Summer 2007 - Application
Excavation courses during July, carried out by Fårösund College for Adult education
2 weeks
3 weeks
4 weeks
Boarding school with full pension
7 000 SEK
10 000 SEK
12 000 SEK
External participants
2 400 SEK
3 600 SEK
4 800 SEK

Course length
2 weeks 2/7 at 10.00 – 13/7 at 12.00
2 weeks 16/7 at 10.00 – 27/7 at 12.00
3 weeks 2/7 at 10.00 – 19/7 at 12.00
4 weeks 2/7 at 10.00 – 27/7 at 12.00

Application to Fårösunds Folkhögskola, tel. +46-498 20 38 80 www.gotland.fhsk.se/sommarkurs_arkeologi.php)

Working language is Swedish. For further information, please contact Fårösunds Folkhögskola. Responsible Associate Professor Dan Carlsson

 Excavation courses during August, carried out by ArkeoDok

Course length

Costs

3 weeks, 23/7-10/8

4 500 SEK (US$ 640)

4 weeks, 23/7-17/8

6 000 SEK (US$ 860)

Boarding not included. Working language is English. More information about syllabus, and how to use the course for credits, as well as practical matters as housing, renting cars etc, please click here.To get to know more about Gotland, download the information from Gotland Tourist Board here Gotland.

The registration procedur for the field course will be done in 3 steps. First, send us an expression of interest by filling out the Application to be downloaded here. The second step will be to pay the registration fee of $100, and the third step, to pay the full course, including housing if choosen, no later then 1st of June. To make the payment, please click here.

Limited number of participants. Responsible Associate Professor Dan Carlsson.
Home