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The Medieval Towers on the Island of Gotland

Hansson, Martin LU orcid (2022) In Lund Archaeological Review 26-27. p.63-80
Abstract
This paper discusses early medieval stone towers on Gotland. It summarizes the scholarly interpretations of their functions and dating,and analysis the towers in different spatial settings; towers at farmsteads, at churches and at harbours. Generally, we should see the towers on Gotland as concrete symbols of the presences of different types of elite. The towers at churches and farms reflects the presence of wealthy tradesmen and farmers that for security reasons fortified their farmsteads. In somecases, this included the local church, which was built beside the tower. In other cases they were built by a group of local elite families, in order to serve a more common function. This was most likely the case with the towers at harbours. While... (More)
This paper discusses early medieval stone towers on Gotland. It summarizes the scholarly interpretations of their functions and dating,and analysis the towers in different spatial settings; towers at farmsteads, at churches and at harbours. Generally, we should see the towers on Gotland as concrete symbols of the presences of different types of elite. The towers at churches and farms reflects the presence of wealthy tradesmen and farmers that for security reasons fortified their farmsteads. In somecases, this included the local church, which was built beside the tower. In other cases they were built by a group of local elite families, in order to serve a more common function. This was most likely the case with the towers at harbours. While the former towers gives a more private and defensive impression, the latter must be seen as more offensive and public. The closed architecture, with few openings, entrances on the second floor, loopholes and crenelated walls clearly shows that the towers were connected to the martial side of medieval society. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
alternative title
Medeltida torn på Gotland
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
towers, Middle Ages, Gotland, kastal
in
Lund Archaeological Review
volume
26-27
pages
18 pages
publisher
Institute of Archaeology, University of Lund
ISSN
1401-2189
project
Early medieval towers in Sweden
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
7bf1e4ee-e68f-4351-8ff8-2cc60f603ccc
date added to LUP
2022-04-12 17:20:18
date last changed
2023-07-10 09:24:38
@article{7bf1e4ee-e68f-4351-8ff8-2cc60f603ccc,
  abstract     = {{This paper discusses early medieval stone towers on Gotland. It summarizes the scholarly interpretations of their functions and dating,and analysis the towers in different spatial settings; towers at farmsteads, at churches and at harbours. Generally, we should see the towers on Gotland as concrete symbols of the presences of different types of elite. The towers at churches and farms reflects the presence of wealthy tradesmen and farmers that for security reasons fortified their farmsteads. In somecases, this included the local church, which was built beside the tower. In other cases they were built by a group of local elite families, in order to serve a more common function. This was most likely the case with the towers at harbours. While the former towers gives a more private and defensive impression, the latter must be seen as more offensive and public. The closed architecture, with few openings, entrances on the second floor, loopholes and crenelated walls clearly shows that the towers were connected to the martial side of medieval society.}},
  author       = {{Hansson, Martin}},
  issn         = {{1401-2189}},
  keywords     = {{towers; Middle Ages; Gotland; kastal}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{04}},
  pages        = {{63--80}},
  publisher    = {{Institute of Archaeology, University of Lund}},
  series       = {{Lund Archaeological Review}},
  title        = {{The Medieval Towers on the Island of Gotland}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/116673461/LAR_26_27_05_Martin_Hansson.pdf}},
  volume       = {{26-27}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}