Published March 28, 2024 at 1:25 p.m.
Domestic. An exceptionally well-preserved gold ring is one of several unique finds found during the excavations of medieval Kalmar.
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During the two years that the archaeological the investigations carried out in central Kalmar have uncovered the remains of hundreds of buildings, cellars, streets, latrines and everyday objects from a period of 400 years, approximately 1250–1650.
The excavations have been carried out because the city and Kalmar water must renew and expand water and sewage pipes, which in some cases affected the remains of medieval buildings.
The archaeologists at the State Historical Museums have excavated parts of around 50 medieval plots, about ten streets and parts of the old city wall in Gamla Stan.
A total of over 30,000 objects have been found – not least traces of the Kalmar War 1611. It is very unusual that such large contiguous areas are investigated in the middle of a city and the results are described as beyond all expectations.
– We have been able to lift the lid on the city's Middle Ages and have had the opportunity to study how people lived, what they ate and drank and how this changed over time. Archeology becomes like a peephole into medieval history that allows us to learn more about how life was several hundred years ago, says Magnus Stibéus, project manager at the Archeologists, in a dispatch.
Two spectacular finds was made recently, just before the excavation was completed, and stands out. It is about a gold ring and a very special so-called “alsengem”.
– Of course, it's great fun to find something like that. The gold ring was in almost new condition with a Christ motif and was found, like the alsengem, in contexts that we interpreted as waste storage. Probably someone was unlucky and lost the ring 500 years ago. The alsengemet is broken and may have been thrown away, says Magnus Stibéus.
The gold ring with the carved figure of Christ dates to the beginning of the 15th century. That type of ring, according to the archaeologists, could have been worn by a woman because it is quite small. Some similar rings have been found in Northern Finland, Östergötland and Uppland.
Alsengemmer are small glass setting stones that are found in both ecclesiastical and secular contexts and are believed to have been used as pilgrim amulets. They are named after the Danish island of Als, where they were first found. The Alsengem archaeologists have found in Kalmar dates to the 13th–14th centuries and has three carved figures.
Even the remains of a rune stone are among the more unusual finds that the archaeologists have unearthed, it may have come from a burial mound in a cemetery that was in Kalmar in the 12th century. Another find is a brick paw print from a cat. In addition, many traces bear witness to war situations and how the Kalmar War swept through the city.
– The investigations show that virtually all farms were burned in connection with the Danes' attack on the city in the summer of 1611. This can be seen above all through fire horizons and razed buildings. We have also found a large number of projectiles, such as cannonballs, musket balls and pistol bullets, but also swords, says Magnus Stibéus.