Skaraborgs fornborgar : En studie rörande möjliga funktioner hos Skaraborgs fornborgar

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the age of the hillforts in the muncipality of Skara, their original purpose, why they were erected and what their function may have been. Hillforts are often thought to have been erected due to a need for protection and defence in times of political and societal turbulence. Many of the hillforts that have been subjected to archaeological investigations and partial excavations in other parts of Sweden have been dated to the iron age, mostly to the period which is known in Sweden as ”folkvandringstiden” or the migration period, 400–500 AD. Most of these fortifications share common traits such as being located on elevated areas, on hilltops and mountains. They are also often restricted in all directions by either steep slopes, cliffs and mounds. Most often they are located in areas difficult to gain access to, sometimes almost hidden away. Many of them are also located in such a way that one has a good outlook on the surrounding landscape from the location of thehillfort. All of the known hillforts of Skaraborg also share these traits, and it it possible that the hillforts of Skaraborg have had the function of being a refuge, perhaps also used for defense. Though it is hard to tell for certain. 7 of the 23 known hillforts were further investigated in this work. Only two of the 23 documented hillforts in the muncipality have been subjected to a partial excavation, which in turn showed that these remains were erected much earlier than expected. They showed signs of being inhabited as early as the stone age. Perhaps these two are the exception and should not be named ”fornborg”. However, judging by older, written sources, names, locations and remains such as walls, it seems likely that these hillforts have had a purpose of protecting and closing off a restricted area. Perhaps in the meaning of protection in times of unrest.