[gothic-l] Heruls and Archaeology

[dirk at SMRA.CO.UK]

I tried to verify suggestions that a Herulic migration to Scandinavia
was reflected in a change in the archaeological cultures of Sweden
and/or even affected a massive cultural change in form of the creation
of the Vendel culture.

Firstly, in the process of checking some sources I discovered that I
was wrong when I earlier said that the Saxons who returned from Italy
are not identified by archaeology. In Studien zur Sachsenforschung No.
13, 1999, it is clear that archaeologists are able to show that these
Saxons really did re-settle in the Harzvorland, just as Gregory of
Tours had said.

Yet, I could not find any source on Swedish archaeology that stated
that an influx of Heruls or any other East Germanic culture was
responsible for cultural changes in Sweden or is even detectable.
Especially J. Werner, who analysed the archaeology of the Attila
period and the spread of cultural influences caused by the Huns found
apparently no trace of this in Scandinavia. In this context, the
appearance of occasional East Germanic or Mediterranean cultural
objects is not very significant. Archaeologists seem to be looking for
changes in customs that can be linked to another culture. As an
example of what sort of archaeological evidence would be indicative of
a East Germanic migration to Scandinavia I would like to briefly line
out the recent finding in German archaeology, which is particularly
relevant to this list.

Prof. Berthold Schmidt found (Studien zur Sachsenforschung No. 13,
1999) that in the aftermath of the arrival of the Huns in south
eastern Europe, carriers of the Gothic Chernyahkovsk culture and the
Sintana de Mures Culture moved into Middle-Germany. According to
Schmidt, this constituted a migration that is not attested in the
historical sources, but which was nonetheless of substantial size. It
led in the last quarter of the 4th century to the creation of the so
called 'Niemberger Gruppe' and 'Grossbadegaster Gruppe' in middle
Germany, which is a direct continuation of the Sintana de Mures and
western Chernyakhovsk cultures.

Apart from decorations etc. one of the characteristics of this culture
are the way in which bodies were placed in the graves. Thus, one way
was to place them on their face. This influx of East Germanic people
may have been significant in the Thuringian ethnogenesis. The
Thuringians are first mentioned in 400AD. From the 420s/30s actual
conflict with Huns is demonstrated by the grave material in Thuringia.
Burials of the Niemberger Gruppe show frequent battle wounds including
nomadic arrowheads in the wounds. From 430AD the area came under
Hunnic domination, with nomadic weaponry and decorations appearing in
rich graves. Also, the custom of artificial skull deformations becomes
very widespread in Thuringia. Some 50% of the artificially deformed
skull show 'mongolic' features. The dating was made possible by the
discovery of a 20-year old Germanic woman, who died in about 450AD and
who's skull had been deformed in early childhood. The Hunnic influence
starts to fade after the battle at the Nedao, but artificial skull
deformations remain in custom until the first third of the 6th
century.

While this is an interesting example of a migration that can only be
identified by its archaeological evidence, it seems to be informative
for the indications that we would have to expect if Heruls had
migrated to Scandinavia. Thus, one would need cultural characteristics
that can be linked directly to the East Germanic groups in Moravia. I
particular should archaeological evidence reflect the arrival of new
customs like burial practices. Pohl has also emphasised the widespread
use of artificial skull deformations among graves attributed to
Heruls.

I have tried to find archaeological reports about Sweden covering the
period and areas in question. One such report seemed to explain the
appearance of the Vendel culture around Uppsala with the exploitation
of iron mining. Somewhat older authors like Terjal (1970s) and Werner
(1950s), who are mainly concerned with the archaeology of the
Attila-period. make no mention of East Germanic cultures in
Scandinavia. However, there could be more up-to-date research and it
might be interesting to pose the question of whether or not anEast
Germanic culture has entered Sweden around 500AD.

cheers,

Dirk



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