Ett förlorat järnrike? : Järnframställning i södra Hälsingland under yngre järnålder

A lost iron realm?Iron production in southern Hälsingland during the late iron age This bachelor thesis explores the prehistoric iron production in the Swedish province of Hälsingland, with a special focus on the parishes surrounding the Marmen and Bergviken lakes. A vast amount of remains from bloomery iron production was discovered during the 1980’s in the area surrounding the lakes, consisting of iron making sites and charcoal pits. This thesis focuses on the spatial distribution of those remains, which are studied and analysed mainly through GIS. Their spatial relation to natural-geographical phenomenon and indicators of settlement is analysed and discussed, with comparisons to other Swedish provinces. In addition, 14C-datings are calibrated and discussed on a critical basis. The occurrence of spade-shaped currency bars in Hälsingland is discussed based on their physical appearance and context of finding. Finally the author suggests how to work with the known material in order to gain new scientific knowledge