Abstract
The theory and practice of the object-biographical approach is the backdrop for this re-interpretation of the celebrated precious metal deposition from Eketorp in central Sweden. This example serves to demonstrate the potential of the approach for assemblages as well as single objects. The Eketorp hoard is one of a category of thematically composed Viking-Age precious metal depositions and contains an exceptional number of miniatures and pendants, jewellery, and some unusual coins. This paper presents new findings from excavations in 2017 and 2019, contextualises the hoard, reinterprets a number of the artefacts and points towards possibilities for further interpretation.
Highlights
In recent decades, the theory and practice of creating ‘object biographies’ have become current within archaeology
Object-biographical scholarship builds on the idea of objects having ‘lives’, or life trajectories, as well as ‘social lives’, agency and relations with humans and other objects (Burström, N.M. 2014 and references therein). This theoretical and methodological approach will here sustain the discussion of the precious metal deposition (‘hoard’, ‘treasure’) from Eketorp in Middle Sweden, which in turn serves as an example of how the biographical approach may deepen our understanding of this type of assemblage
A biographical approach may be applied to the Eketorp hoard from several angles: it was assembled over a protracted period of time; the included objects had long and varied ‘lives’; and, as will be discussed below, the hoard has a long find history
Summary
Object-biographical scholarship builds on the idea of objects (things) having ‘lives’, or life trajectories, as well as ‘social lives’, agency and relations with humans and other objects (Burström, N.M. 2014 and references therein) This theoretical and methodological approach will here sustain the discussion of the precious metal deposition (‘hoard’, ‘treasure’) from Eketorp in Middle Sweden, which in turn serves as an example of how the biographical approach may deepen our understanding of this type of assemblage. An iconic or old object may be used to ‘charge’ an assemblage and give it deeper, parallel meanings such as gender (Arwill-Nordbladh 2001:34), allusions to specific myths, or other reference points
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
