Ancient Europe, Northern Europe: 08 SWEDEN (Scandinavia): Pre-Roman Iron Age (500 BC-AD 09)

Bronze continued in use but mostly confined to ornamental items such as bracelets, etc. New metal alloys emerged, including brass, electrum and leaded copper.

Whereas bronze had to be imported, iron ore was available from peat bogs. Iron is easier to work than bronze and more versatile in usage. Wood for smelting was available in the forests of the country. The introduction of iron technology into Sweden was probably by itinerant metal workers.

Weapons used during the Pre-Roman Iron Age in Sweden included spears, swords, axes and shields. An important change in Sweden’s archaeological record are cemeteries with graves containing abundant grave goods, usually comprising iron-edged weapons such as swords and spears and other military equipment. By the turn of the first millennium this practice had become firmly established.

In the sacrificial bog at Skedemosse on the island of Õland, Mörbylånga Municipality, Kalmar County, thirty-nine human skeletons were found in addition to weapons, goods and thousands of fragments of animal bones. T