Avaldsnes

The western coast of Norway was a natural and pivotal meeting point between Scandinavia and the rest of Europe, and it is here that the North Sea is at its narrowest. There are several areas of fertile farmland in Western Norway; one of these is the country around Stavanger. These productive farmlands also lay centrally relative to the important trade routes running along the coast and to those following the fjords inland. In Viking times, Western Norway was characterised by many seasonal sites hosting different activities such as trade, cultic ceremonies and special crafts. At the transition from the Viking Age to the Middle Ages, a few larger towns became established in Western Norway, including Stavanger.

In the Viking Age, the natural resources of Western Norway gave the opportunity for several chiefdoms. At times these major and minor chieftains fought among themselves over the control of people, territories and economic resources.

Fact: Avaldsnes was already well known in Viking times, from skaldic epics and legends. Its name derives from the legendary king Augvald.

Ship Burials
Many archaeological finds underline the importance of the place already in the Viking Age. One of the most spectacular finds is a ship burial from Storhaug (Great Mound), dating from the 8th century.

Storhaug contained a very richly equipped ship burial, revealing close contacts with the Frankish Empire. The ship measured between 23 m and 27 m in length and was probably propelled by rowing. Unfortunately, only very little of the vessel is preserved. A magnificent, aristocratic burial such as this is evidence of the fact that, already around 700 AD, social organisation was on its way towards the formation of a nation state.

According to written sources, Avaldsnes was the residence of Harold the Fair-haired in Viking times. Harold is considered to be the first Norwegian king although he never ruled the whole of Norway. Harold the Fair-haired was king from about AD 871 until his death in about AD 932. In Grønhaug (Green Mound), the remains were found of a distinguished ship burial dating from around AD 930. This was a very rich and remarkable grave but it had already been looted in the Viking Age. The ship is presumed to have been 15 m long and 3 m wide, but very little of it was preserved. The grave may have been the final resting place of King Harold the Fair-haired.

The two ship burials are not unique in the area. In Åkra, on the western part of Karmøy, three boat graves were found. A women was buried in one of them. The boat graves were situated close together on the top of a hill and they could be seen from both the landward and the seaward side. As “Åkra” means holy, and as water and boat graves are often linked with the Nordic deities, the Vaner, who were fertility goddesses, these graves may be associated with a fertility cult.

Later, other kings are also thought to have had their royal seat in Avaldsnes. Old legends mention a secret passage linked with this royal seat. During archaeological excavations in 1986 a secret corridor was found together with a house from Viking times or the Middle Ages, but only a small part of this was investigated. Accordingly, it is still unknown whether these are the remains of an ancient royal seat.

The importance of Avaldsnes relative to navigation did not end with the Viking Age. Marine-archaeological excavations have revealed a harbour dating from the Middle Ages. This was probably the site of the Hansa trading station of Nothow.

Sofie Jensen