Archeology in Husaby

Erik was invited by archeologist Anna Nyqvist Thorsson to Husaby Church near Skara in the Götene municipality. His task was to inspect the sandstone used in the construction of the church and the two impressive tombs lined up at each side at the entrance to the church. The question from the archeologist was 1) whether the sandstone bricks were from the local Kinnekulle sandstone quarry, and 2) whether it was possible to say something about the relative age of the sandstones used? Not a super easy task but Erik did his best. Anna and Erik had to dig around one of the tombs to identify the sandstones used at the bottom, and it indeed looks like the tombstones were moved there later on and made up of different material, i.e. some parts of the tombstones were added later. Husaby Church is highly interesting from a historical perspective because it is considered the birth place of Christianity in Sweden. From a geological perspective it’s also interesting because it’s located in the Kinnekulle area famous for geological layers of limestone, sandstone, and Alun shale making up a 306 meter tall plateau mountain (sv. platåberg). We highly recommend driving up to the top of the Kinnekulle mountain where you have an amazing view over the beautiful landscape and a really excellent restaurant.

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