Settlement, Climate Crisis and Lordship in Early Medieval Scandinavia

Scandinavian lordship with estates did not emerge before the Christianization process, contrary to earlier claims linking its development to the climate crisis of the mid-sixth century. This study challenges the assumption that hierarchical societies and lavish burial customs in Early Medieval Scandinavia (c.400–1000 CE) were a direct response to environmental crises, demonstrating instead that these practices can be interpreted differently without implying societal hierarchy. The research employs a comparative approach with other north-western European regions and anchors its analysis in a detailed case study of Öland's well-preserved settlements, houses, farms, and field systems. By examining the incentives for estate creation, the study provides new insights into the nature of lordship during this period.

Fallgren, J.-H. (2024). Settlement, Climate Crisis and Lordship in Early Medieval Scandinavia. Current Swedish Archaeology, 31, 143–181. https://doi.org/10.37718/csa.2023.11