Rethinking Jellhaug

Abstract

In this chapter, we reassess Jellhaug's research history by re-evaluating information from earlier studies of its construction, date, and function. We compare these findings with results from a recent pilot investigation of the mound, which involved targeted soil coring and sample extraction. Our objective is to demonstrate that the traditional interpretation of Jellhaug is based on insufficient data and must therefore be reconsidered. This has broader implications, as large mounds like Jellhaug are often assigned a 'function' based on their size and location, as well as contemporary value judgments, before being placed into overly narrow, top-down societal frameworks of power. We argue that the notion of large mounds as indicators of centralization of power and/or status is flawed, as it invariably presumes that large mounds signify high-status burials. While this aligns with the established narrative, it does not correspond with the archaeological record, necessitating a consideration of alternative interpretations.