The archaeological excavations
Archaeologists work to establish the age of objects, which can be done through relative or absolute dating. Relative dating compares the age of objects in relation to each other without providing exact time frames, while absolute dating provides a more precise or estimated age. A common method for absolute dating is the carbon-14 method (14C dating), which was used in the investigations of Södra Råda old church site. The results from this method have an uncertainty of about 50-100 years.
The archaeological excavations in Södra Råda have provided interesting insights and extended the history of the site by as much as 1000 years compared to previous assumptions. The findings show not only traces of an older stave church, but also that the site has been used for a long time before its function as a church site. People have lived in the area throughout the Iron Age. Fires were built and food was cooked here, but it is not yet clear whether the site served as a permanent settlement or had some other function. If the site was not a settlement, it may have been an older cult site, although no clear evidence supports that theory. The findings leave room for further research and discussion on the significance of the site throughout history. See and hear more about the excavations in the video.