Danerne og det danske kongeriges opkomst – Om forskningsprogrammet »Fra Stamme til Stat i Danmark«
Ulf Näsman
The Danes and the Origin of Danish KingdomOn Research Programme “From Tribe to State in Denmark”Since 1970’s, ethnogenesis origin kingdom have attracted increased interest among archaeologists. Marked changes over time observed a growing source material form new basis interpretation. In written sources, realm does not appear until Viking Age. formation is traditionally placed as late 10th century (Jelling all that). But prehistorians raised question whether was much longer course. Some scholars believe that we study periods preceding Age be able understand development, at least from 3rd century. Scandinavia, this covers Late Roman Iron Age, Migration Merovingian periods, well early Continental perspective, it parallels Antiquity (3rd-6th centuries) Early Middle Ages (6th-10th centuries).In 1984, Council launched research programme Denmark” which aimed by studying interaction between economic, social, political circumstances Period This paper presents short synthesis my work programme.Two themes been brought into focus:1) Nordic peoples: tribes few problematic sources first millennium AD, casu Danes;2) making kingdoms: case Denmark.A problem with kind long-term inherent teleological revealed title. It essential for me emphasise self-evident but result series concrete historical circumstances. There alternative possibilities several occasions.In period prehistoric. However, South Scandinavia deserves labelled protohistoric. Scandinavian archaeologists often forget or ignore fact large parts Europe, AD period. development too evaluated isolation rest spite culture demonstrates continental insular powers continuously influencing Scandinavia. Necessarily, relevant approach prehistory includes dimension European perspective. societies were linked different realms Europe. certainly part common west trajectory.The best possibility interpreting archaeological record analogy historians’ interpretations other more less contemporary Germanic peoples, based on descriptions sources. Long-term studies has laid ground build their image kingdom. briefly describes some results focuses I find significant.Rural settlement: Great progress Mediaeval farming suggests economic growth, subsistence economy production surplus, collective forms individually run farmsteads, small family farmsteads farms manors. surplus created expansion could carry high medieval its administration, military power, church, towns, etc.Trade exchange: Prestige-goods exchange dominated beginning Goods came various connections central east Europe broken sixth century, reopened explains dominating position held West Thus, became commercial zone an important element rapid urbanisation Denmark gained great profit key North Sea-Baltic trade network.Central places towns: Complex settlements appeared already e.g. Gudme/Lundeborg, Funen. Further sites appeared, number grew rapidly. By year 700, they are found virtually every settlement area simple trading stations, most years ago, many also fulfilled political, religious functions; manorial residences. resident elite power mobilisation rural surplus; same time, one can say stimulus produce probably caused increasing demand centres.In began, meant old lost replaced towns like Hedeby, Ribe, Århus. Excavations show started 8th little later than famous emporia Quentovic, Dorestad, Hamwic, Ipswic.So today, must concluded threshold had advanced system complex social organisation believed only 20 ago.Warfare: dated indications war cluster two 5th centuries, 11th centuries. characterised tribal warfare, polities forced join larger confederations through pressure endemic warfare conquests. record, indicators seem disappear after 500, reappear numbers Was Pax Danorum? Indeed, silent indicate won hegemony phase understood consolidation territorial defence becomes visible record.Wars Carolingian empire 9th wars mentioned record. archaeology presence serious threats centuries before, dykes Danevirke. strategic localisation period’s works reveals met both navy army. According texts, clearly national wars, either conquest scale kingdoms, civil triggered aggressive Frankish diplomacy.The phases mirror situations: Periods conflicts resource control; concern kingdom’s defence.Religious changes: conversion considered major turning point history; way was, importance Christianisation heavily overestimated. simply step process long before. paganism Scandinavians mislead us believing barbarians.A change cult practice took place around 500 when use bogs lakes offerings rapidly decreased. Instead, objects hoarded contexts, sometimes halls magnates. indicates taken control religion way. close link continued uninterrupted Christianisation; churches built magnates ground. Therefore, cult-site continuity. From Period, kingdom.Political development: Analyses reveal consisted regions, Tacitus Ptolemy, guess correspond areas. super-region discerned, still subdivided distinguishable zones, and, again, (Jordanes Procopius), joined precisely Continent. opinion, Based well-studied assume core Central - Jutland, Funen, Zealand – periphery Halland, Scania, Blekinge, Bornholm. Probably loosely attached distant Sweden.So history end involvement politics observable 777 again 782. Obviously, actor scene before Age.In light these arguments, three described:– Age: Tribal chieftains kings.– Period: A amalgamation characterises confederations. Written speak favour people who eventually Scandinavia.– began royal agents local chieftains. last integrated under direct rule, reign Sven Forkbeard, Scania. Thus Medieval appeared.Final remarks: As achievements decades, traditional views about likely, rather erroneous. underestimation pagans unable unthinkable Unfortunately, beyond reach study, rough hypothesis may formulated. once somewhere Events outside fundamental gens grow Periods. Already Baltic Sea. position. Its survival no means matter efforts secure position, capable kings established borders course Age.Ulf NäsmanInstitutionen för humaniora och ­samhällsvetenskap Högskolan i Kalmar
Kuml