Dominating the Landscape – the emblematic Setting of Borgring and the Viking Age Ring Fortresses of Denmark

Abstract

This study explores the underlying reasons behind the construction and topographical location of the Viking Age ring fortress, Borgring and the impact it had on the society on a regional scale. A key question is whether this manifestation of power is also expressing a disruption of the existing power structure in the region. The evidence from Borgring will be compared to the other four ring fortresses as well as other fortifications and large structures of the Viking Age in Denmark. In the end we will propose a new theory explaining the Viking Age ring fortresses along with other monumental structures dated to the reign of King Harald Bluetooth (c. AD 958 – AD 986/987) represent a manifestation of a new order of society instigated by the conversion of the King in AD 963. The shape, the size and the positioning of the structures in the landscape were premeditated to impress both locals and travellers following important roads throughout the realm and to remind them of the King´s presence and his power based on a new ideology.

Turfs and timbers

“…The uniform and stringent design of ring fortresses shows that they were built to a predefined plan by competent builders who probably knew in advance the raw material requirements and whether there were sufficient local resources (Ulriksen, Schultz and Mortensen 2020). At Borgring there are few indications of how the work was organised, but the geophysical survey of the rampart, together with field observations, clearly shows that it was built in sections (Figure 3).…”

“…The Danish ring fortresses, with their unique and precise geometric form, are distinctive monuments of Viking Age architecture (Figure 1 and 2A) and testify to the establishment of a central power structure that expressed its supra-regional dominion through large-scale monuments (Roesdahl and Sindbaek 2014, 460;Ulriksen, Schultz and Mortensen 2020). The construction of five Danish ring fortresses, as well as the Jelling complex, marks out Harald Bluetooth's reign and dates to the time between the end of the AD 950s and the beginning of the AD 980s (Holst et al 2012, 494).…”

Sunken lanes - Development and functions in landscapes

“…In Denmark and Sweden ancient sunken lanes connecting J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f settlements and fortresses have been studied by archaeologists because roads contain the collective memory of human travel from prehistory to the present (e.g. Stensager, 2002;Westerdahl, 2006;Ulriksen et al, 2020). In Germany, most investigated sunken lanes are located within the central German uplands (Dotterweich, 2008).…”

“…The association between ancient settlements (towns), tumuli, castles, fortresses, ports, mines, quarries and important roads with the presence of nearby sunken lanes (hollow roads) connecting sites of past human interventions is a strong indication that the initiation of these sunken lanes dates back to their age (see e.g. Shore, 1898;Stensager, 2002;Westerdahl, 2006;Wilkinson et al, 2010;Slamova et al, 2014;Nouwen, 2020;Ulriksen et al, 2020;Table 4.). This approach is associated with difficulties in estimating the age of these landforms and their continuous transformations by natural and anthropogenic erosion processes causing the blurring of the original morphology.…”