Vestlandskjeler, velstand og makt. Tre studier av Vestlandskjelenes plass og betydning i lokalsamfunnet i eldre jernalder i Vest-Norge

Abstract

All Roman Iron Age and Migration Period graves in three West Norwegian districts were analysed and compared from a quantitative and qualitative aspect. Cauldron graves in general belong to an upper stratum of graves, not always quantitatively, but qualitatively. Rich graves are also associated with the best farms in each district. Graves with Westland cauldrons are never found on small, poor farms. The rich graves are not evenly distributed through time, and are not found exclusively on the same farm through the period studied. The changes in both time and space are seen as result of an internal competition for power in an unstable society. Rich graves are interpreted as a part of a strategy to preserve or enhance social positions.