Trelleborgen – ett exempel på vad fornlämningar och rekonstruktioner av dessa kan ha för betydelse

Sammanfattning: Trelleborgen, the Viking age fortress in Trelleborg, and its reconstruction, in this essay, constitutes an example of the importance of ancient monuments and the reconstructions of these can have to people who were and are affected by them. This concerns politicians and inhabitants in the area as well as archaeologists. By studying the archaeologist’s theories about Trelleborgen, by interviewing politicians and handing out questionnaires to the inhabitants in Trelleborg, I found out that, since the remains of the fortress were found, intensive discussions have taken place. These debates concerned the meaning and the function of the ancient monument as well as the reconstruction of it. Many archaeologists and inhabitants in the area have an opinion about this. Few stay unaffected. My conclusion is that Trelleborgen and other ancient monuments and reconstructions of these, have been and are of importance, positive as well as negative, to a lot of people. My paper will also discuss what it takes for an ancient monument to be considered a certain type of construction, its connection to Uppåkra as well as Denmark and how authentic the reconstruction has to be.