Birka. IV. The Burial Customs: A Study of the Graves on Björkö

This study is based on approximately 1100 graves, excavated on Björkö by Hjalmar Stolpe in 1873–95. The inhumation graves (graves with and without coffins and chamber-graves) and the cremation burials (mostly cremation deposits) are analysed with regard to the burial method, and the internal and external structure of the grave. With few exceptions the cremation graves correspond to the common contemporary graves of Central Sweden and probably belonged to the indigenous population. Special attention has been paid to the construction of the coffins and chambers. The origins of these burials are likely to be found in the area of Friesland – Lower Saxony – Westphalia. Although many of those buried in inhumation graves at Birka belonged to the indigenous population, a certain number were probably foreigners. The chamber-graves were presumably associated with the international character of Birka and with the merchants in particular. The Christian element in the graves is discussed, as well as the problems of winter graves, secondary graves and double graves. The cemeteries on Björkö developed gradually. Graves from the Early Period are distributed in a manner which indicates that the cemeteries originally consisted of many smaller groups of graves, e.g. family burial places. The social structure is discussed. The size of Birka’s population can be estimated to an average of 500–600 inhabitants. However, unknown seasonal variations and the proportion of visiting foreign merchants introduce a considerable element of uncertainty. The problems involved in providing for the population emphasize the evident mercantile bias of the town and its dependence on the central administration for control of supplies.