Archaeological Border complex of Hedeby and the Danevirke

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Archaeological Border complex of Hedeby and the Danevirke from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• Outland exploitation and resource colonisation in early Medieval Scandinavia

  New archaeological evidence reveals that the exploitation of marginal zones, or outlands, played a central and dynamic role in early medieval Scandinavian societies, predating and extending beyond the Viking Age. Contrary to traditional views, resource extraction—such as iron and furs—in forests, wetlands, and mountainous regions was not merely supplementary but a core economic strategy shaping settlement patterns, social organization, and long-distance trade networks. This study challenges the notion that outland activities were peripheral, demonstrating their significance in economic intensification and regional interaction from at least the 4th–7th centuries. The findings are supported by advanced analytical methods and expanded datasets, offering a reinterpretation of marginal zones as integral to the emergence of complex socio-economic systems in early medieval Scandinavia.

  Hennius, A. (2026). Outland exploitation and resource colonisation in early Medieval Scandinavia. Terra Fertilis, Terra Deserta. Exploitation of Marginal Zones, 41–45. https://doi.org/10.33547/terra.fertilis03

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• Finding Sliesthorp?

  A previously unknown Viking Age settlement, discovered at Füsing in Northern Germany, is believed to be the elusive Sliesthorp, a power center of early Danish kings. This site, thriving from around 700 to the end of the 10th century, likely served as a seasonal garrison and naval base within the defensive system of the Danevirke, offering strategic significance due to its proximity to Hedeby/Schleswig. The study, based on archaeological finds and building features, suggests that Füsing's high-status estate center functioned as an assembly place, providing new insights into Viking Age governance and military organization in this disputed border region.

  Dobat, A. S. (2022). Finding Sliesthorp? Danish Journal of Archaeology, 11, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.7146/dja.v11i.127759

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• Timeline

  A detailed timeline of significant events from the 8th to 9th centuries sheds light on the political, military, and economic dynamics of Viking-era Scandinavia. Key milestones include the construction of defensive structures like the Kanhave Canal (726) and Nordvollen in Danevirke (737), as well as pivotal moments such as the destruction of Reric (808) and the beginning of Danish coinage minting in Hedeby (c. 825). The timeline also highlights Viking raids, including the attack on the Isle of Portland (c. 789) and the plundering of Lindisfarne (793), alongside broader geopolitical shifts, such as Charlemagne's defense efforts against Vikings (800) and Archbishop Ebo's mission to Denmark (822-823). This chronology provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex interactions between Scandinavian societies, Viking expansion, and early medieval Europe.

  (Ed.). (2022). Timeline. Scandinavia in the Age of Vikings, xiii–xixx. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781501760495-003

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• Identification of materials used for earthwork construction: the semi-circular fortification rampart of Hedeby, Northern Germany

  Researchers developed a novel method to classify and identify materials used in earthwork construction, addressing the challenges posed by minimally invasive coring techniques. The study focused on the semi-circular fortification rampart of Hedeby, an early medieval Viking settlement and UNESCO World Heritage Site. By analyzing physicochemical properties—such as grain size distribution, weight percentages, loss on ignition, magnetic susceptibility, and element concentrations—of 139 samples from three cores, the team applied statistical methods like principal component analysis and cluster analysis to distinguish material clusters. The findings revealed that the rampart was constructed using a mix of soil horizons, cultural deposits, and Pleistocene materials in varying proportions along its length. This method significantly enhances the objectivity and efficiency of geoarchaeological investigations, particularly for large-scale earthworks where complete excavation is impractical.

  Kurgaeva, A., Khamnueva-Wendt, S., & Bork, H.-R. (2022). Identification of materials used for earthwork construction: the semi-circular fortification rampart of Hedeby, Northern Germany. Boletín de La Sociedad Geológica Mexicana, 74(3), A040422. https://doi.org/10.18268/bsgm2022v74n3a040422

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