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SWEDISH HISTORY

‘Unique’ Viking graves change what we know about central Gothenburg

Swedish archaeologists have described two Viking graves as 'unique' after they were discovered in central Gothenburg, shedding new light on the history of Sweden’s second-largest city.

'Unique' Viking graves change what we know about central Gothenburg
The Viking graves at Burgårdsparken in central Gothenburg. Photo: Gothenburg City Museum

Gothenburg may have been granted its city privileges only in 1621, but that doesn’t mean that people haven’t lived in the western city for much longer than that, as a new find shows.

Two graves found by Gothenburg City Museum archaeologists at Burgårdsparken near the aptly-named Valhalla pool and Ullevi football arena this summer have now been dated to the period of 750-1000 CE.

“These are completely unique remains. There are no known other finds from the younger Iron Age, often called the Viking Age, in central Gothenburg,” archaeologist Ulf Ragnesten said in a statement.

The two graves contain cremated human remains, and are believed to form part of a bigger burial ground from the Viking era.

Archaeologists say this suggests that Vikings lived what is now central Gothenburg.

Viking remains have previously been found in other places on the west coast, but never before this centrally in the city.

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STORMS

‘Stay home’ warning as Storm Louis blows roof off Gothenburg station

Police have warned people to stay inside as Storm Louis batters western Sweden, blowing parts of the roof off Gothenburg Central Station.

'Stay home' warning as Storm Louis blows roof off Gothenburg station

Trains have been cancelled, bridges closed and power cut off in several places as winds of more than 30 metres per second hammer lage parts of Halland, Vastra Götaland, Värmland and Dalarna.

“I’ve never been involved in anything like this,” Caroline Karlsson from the police in western Sweden, told the TT newswire. “Since 5am this morning, we have received over 150 reports of fallen trees. I’ve never seen anything like it and it’s seriously disturbed traffic. 

Part of the roof at Gothenburg Central Station blew off at around 8.30am, cutting off electricity to several tracks at the station for several hours.  

“Track 7 and tracks 9 to 16 are going to opened at half capacity,” Angelika Knutsson, a press spokesperson for the Swedish Transport Administration, told SVT at around 11am. “Track 8 is going to stay closed as it has been damaged and there is no forecast as to when it can be opened again.” 

The Tjörnbron bridge has been closed after a car dragging a trailer was overturned by the wind, and the Uddevala bridge has also been closed. 

The roof of a restaurant in the main square in the town of Stenungsund was also blown off, causing the square to be cordoned off.

In a press release, the fire servives said that they had been on constant call dealing with dangerous damage to buildings. 

“Among other things, there are loose objects which can fly a long way and represent a danger to the public, for example parts of buildings, signs and other loose objects outside,” the press release read. 

The police have advised people to only travel if absolutely necessary. 

“If you don’t need to go out today, you should stay inside. If you are outside and driving, drive carefully and stay alert,” Karlsson said.

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