Kult och kulthus under Järnåldern i södra Skandinavien

Sammanfattning: The existence of the prehistoric cult buildings is a highly controversial subject in archeology. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the discussion is that it is not certain that these buildings existed. Most of the recent excavations have contributed to an increased interest in central places, cult centers and the discovered material associated with mansion-like settlements. Various exclusive discoveries link relevant interpretations and terms to kings and aristocracy. In some cultural contexts the larger magnate complexes during the Iron Age have had a significant importance. The buildings that are considered to have received a great ritual significance are special houses that have been interpreted as cult houses, but also the hall buildings had a significant role in the context of cult. In the interpretation of the Iron Age cult house, there are a number of aspects that should be taken into consideration, and not merely the material findings at the cult houses. The surrounding nature of the buildings is important, since the cult houses were built on settlements, where powerful chiefs of importance to the community lived and worked. Unlike the bronze ages cult houses, the iron age is more easily interpreted, due to several aspects. On the one hand, iron age cult houses are considerably more resourceful, on the other hand, pre-Christian scriptures have contributed to various aspects of the interpretation of the buildings. These interpretations can be questioned as they are not scientific.