It was in the spring of 2021 that the naval archaeologists on behalf of the County Administrative Board in Blekinge County would look for wrecks.
Instead, they found the previously unknown detention facility from the 12th century.
- I felt that no, there should be nothing here.
So when we got up and they asked if we saw anything, we replied “no but a lot of piles!
Hundreds! ”, Says Jim Hansson.
Important piece of the puzzle in Blekinge's history
The finding is of great importance for Blekinge's history as it shows the living conditions during the political time when Denmark and Sweden took shape as nations.
- That they have built such large and extensive facilities shows the importance of the area.
It can be assumed that there has been activity there since the end of the Viking Age, says Jim Hansson.
Not the first find
It is not the first find of barrier devices in Blekinge that has been discovered, but it has been found before, some are from the early Middle Ages.
- I would not be surprised if we find more pole barriers in Lyckebyfjärden later, it was a troubled time then as I said, says Jim Hansson.
The piles consist mainly of oak that has been split, a method that is based on the fibers in the wood not being sawn off, which probably made them last so long.