[gothic-l] Heruls and Archaeology

[Tore Gannholm]

>
>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
>


Dirk,
I found an interesting passage in an Icelandic book "The Origin of the
Icelanders" by Bartr Guthmundsson (Keeper of the National Archives of
Iceland).

page 120
"It is, then Snorri's opinion that Norse skaldship and runic culture are
inherited from a newcomer tribe and that this tribe abides by the foresight
and leadership of temple priests who have preserved and added to this
inheritance. It may well be that this view of history leans first and
foremost on memories of the distinctive features of Iceland in the matter
of culture and mode of government in saga times. But it is most remarkable
that Snorri should assume a particular Norse culture as originating in the
distant lands of the Black Sea by the mouth of the River Don. We know that
at one time this was the home of a Scandinavian people. They were the
Heruli, who are frequently mentioned in writings of the period of the
Migration of Nations. Famous scolars like Sophus Bugge and Otto von Friesen
think that the knowledge of Runes was brought from the Black Sea to
Scandinavia by the Heruli. Early in the sixth century bands of the Heruli
under the leadership of chieftains settled in the neighborhood of the
Gauts. The account of their migration to the North is recorded by the Greek
historian Procopios, who lived at that time. When the question arises about
the origin of the skaldship, one must look in directions other than only to
the people who now inhabit Scandinavia or the Celtic countries."

As regards the runes it is interesting to note that the shorter runic
alfabet with 16 runes is introduced from the east to Scandinavia about that
time. It is not known by the West Germans who learn about it later on.

The older runic alfabet which is linked to the Goths and which we find the
full futhark of all 24 runes on the Kylverstone in Gotland (end of the
fourth century) is no longer used at that time.

Tore

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