The large chieftain’s house was divided into several rooms. In the banquet hall, the high seat was the chief’s and housewife’s special place, raised above the other benches. The high seat was the symbolic center of all social life, political and religious. From here came power and order. Here the ruling couple sat when there was a party and when important events took place.
Gold and precious glassware are traces of great power, and rich and powerful men and women at Borg. Learn more about the objects.
Five gold nuggets, or thin gold plates, were found during the excavations at Borg in the 80s. Gullgubber has only been found in certain places in Scandinavia, in chiefs’ seats or in centers of power. They were ritually laid down in the post foundations during the construction of the high seat in the banquet hall. The golden men are rare and testify to great power. A total of five golden men were found at Borg. Maybe they show a love encounter between man and woman? Or are they symbols of the chief’s divine origin?
From the banquet hall sounded laughter, goblet sound and music. People had fun with board games and beer and mead were also offered, often too much. In any case, it says in the god poem Håvamål: it is best to be able to drink without losing your mind.
Beer, wine and mead were more than pleasures. Holidays and important events were drunk and helped to create unity and belonging among the participants. The chief used beautiful glasses and jugs.
Glass was a rare and expensive commodity, imported from southern parts of Europe. Only rich and powerful men and women could serve mead in expensive glasses.
Original parts of such jugs and glasses can be seen in the exhibitions at Borg, along with other rare and special archaeological finds.