Borg - mellom høvdingdømme og kongemakt

Abstract

Borg in Lofoten: Between chiefdom and kingdom Borg in Lofoten has yielded archeological finds from the first millennium AD that surpass all other contemporary finds from the northern parts of Norway: two buildings measuring 64 and 83 meters respectively, objects of gold and silver, exclusive glass and ware imported from the continent, beads from distant areas and a large number of other spectacular objects. This paper seeks to understand the role and significance of Borg during its prime and the reason for its collapse around AD 900. Heavy weight is put on some gold-foil plaques portraying a couple – man and woman – which were found close to structures in the latest building interpreted as a seat of honour. It is suggested that Borg held the status as center of a regional princedom, maybe already from the 7th century. The house was abandoned around AD 900 after the careful dismantling and removing of posts. According to the Islandic Landnámabók, the settlers often brought high seat posts with them across the sea. When they drew near the coast, they tossed the posts in the water and took land where they drifted ashore. It is suggested in this article that the head of Borg loaded his high seat posts on the ship and followed the stream of emigrants from Norway to Iceland due to conflicts related to the Norwegian nation building.