Mysteria
Verified59.3347° N · 17.5455° E · 15 m

Birka Viking Town on Björkö

Birka · Björkö Viking Town · Birca

Viking Age (750–975 CE)·Scandinavian Viking Age·🇸🇪 Stockholm County, Ekerö Municipality, Björkö island, Sweden

Open in atlas Directions

About

About Birka Viking Town on Björkö

Viking Age emporium on Björkö island in Lake Mälaren, founded c.750 CE and abandoned c.975, with fortified town area (Borg), harbour, cemeteries of over 3,000 graves and famous chamber grave Bj 581. UNESCO World Heritage 1993 together with Hovgården, Birka yielded evidence of long-distance trade with the Frankish Empire, Islamic world and Byzantium. Ongoing excavation since Hjalmar Stolpe 1871–1879 revealed planned street plots and metalworking quarters.

Why it mattersViking Age emporium on Björkö island in Lake Mälaren, founded c.750 CE and abandoned c.975, with fortified town area (Borg), harbour, cemeteries of over 3,000 graves and famous chamber grave Bj 581. U

Open questions

Mysteries & theories

Mysteries

  1. 01Why Birka was abandoned abruptly in the late 10th century
  2. 02Identity and origin of the Birka warrior in grave Bj 581 (DNA female)

Theories

  1. 01Abandonment linked to silting, political shift to Sigtuna and Adelsö
  2. 02Birka as proto-urban node in Baltic silver and fur trade network

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

History

How it came to be

Built
c. 750 CE
Period
Viking Age (750–975 CE)
Culture
Scandinavian Viking Age
Purpose
Trading emporium and craft production centre
Abandoned
c. 975 CE
Rediscovered
1871 Stolpe; UNESCO 1993
Excavation
Excavation ongoing

  1. c. 750 CE

    Initial construction

  2. c. 1686 CE

    Abandonment

On the ground

Structures & features

59.3347° N · 17.5455° E · 15 m · 3 mapped features

Search Mysteria

Search places, or jump to a section