Summary: | This study examines how the archaeological finds from the medieval fortress Aranæs in Västergötland can confirm, change, add to, or contradict written sources regarding Aranæs and medieval fortresses in general. The study will focus on comparing medieval archaeological finds from Aranæs with written sources concerning medieval fortresses and Aranæs in order to find similarities or differences in the materials. The purpose of this essay is primarily to find out how archaeological finds can be linked to written sources to confirm potential events that may have taken place at Aranæs. This study also focuses on the role of archaeology in relation to written sources in order to study the everyday lives of our previous generations at medieval fortresses through the field of Medieval Archaeology. The primary historical written sources regarding Aranæs are the chronicle of Duke Erik and History of the Nordic peoples by Olaus Magnus which will be compared to three available archaeological reports concerning Aranæs. The various finds from Aranæs can together with written sources contribute with knowledge regarding a potential fire, military functions, care of animals, diet, religion, trade and economy, as well as remains of a previous fortress on the site.
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