OPEN ACCESS, NODAL POINTS, AND CENTRAL PLACES
OPEN ACCESS, NODAL POINTS, AND CENTRAL PLACES

Summary/Abstract: This paper surveys the archaeology of coastal settlement in south Scandinavia, c. AD 400–1200 from a perspective of communication. The location of important centres of communication and exchange reveal changes of preference, which reflect the shifting nature of social relations. The Late Iron Age port Lundeborg is characterized by safe access for foreigners, gathered for periodic assemblies; the Early Viking Age emporia Åhus is identified as a nodal point at a natural barrier for bulk-traffic; Early Medieval Roskilde, finally, was a central place related to a local hinterland, and collected several central functions under central authority.

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