About

The Hakastein Cultural Heritage Park at Faret in Skien is home to one of Norway’s most remarkable archaeological sites. The park preserves the remains of Norway’s oldest known church, dated to 1010 AD, as well as the country’s oldest Christian burial grounds from the 9th century.

The park is the result of archaeological excavations conducted in the early 2000s. The findings revealed that Faret has been a central and important location in Telemark dating back to the time of Christ. The cultural heritage park was established on the initiative of Historisk Forum Skien and Kjell-Henrik Semb, and is universally designed with access and signage, forming an integrated part of the "Around Hjellevannet" cultural trail.

Park Design and Local Materials

The park utilizes locally sourced stone:

  • The slate is from Resjemheia.
  • The stone used for the sign stands is whetstone from Eidsborg.

The Oldest Church Sites

Archaeological excavations uncovered the foundations of two successive post-built churches (stolpekirker). Post-built churches represent the oldest known form of church buildings in Norway, often erected on large farms owned by people with significant social power.

  • The Oldest Church (c. 11th century): C14-dating suggests this church was likely built in the first half of the 11th century AD, making it one of the oldest reliably dated church buildings identified in Norway. It was probably a private church built by a wealthy family.
  • The Newer Church (12th century): A new, larger church was subsequently built on the same site in the 12th century.
  • Hakastein Church: Stones found east of the chancel may indicate a third church, possibly the one mentioned in a medieval diploma from 1354, connected to the Gimsøy Monastery.

Early Christian Burial Practices in the Viking Age

A Christian cemetery was found surrounding the post-built churches.

  • Graves: The east-west oriented graves were demarcated by a 32 x 32 meter square ditch. It is estimated that over 1,000 people may have been buried in the small area.
  • Early Dating: Two of the Christian graves are C14-dated to the first half of the 10th century, placing them in the middle of the Viking Age. This is exceptionally early for Christian burial practices in a period primarily known for paganism.

Pre-Christian History: Pagan Graves and Ritual Feasts

Before the church site was established, Faret was a significant pre-Christian area.

  • Cremation Graves: Traces of cremation graves from the Viking Age were found, likely remnants of a larger burial field. Five Iron Age burial mounds are still preserved on Galgeholmen (Gallows Islet).
  • Cooking Pits from the Roman Period: A large number of cooking pits were dated to the Roman Period (Christ's birth to 350 AD). Large fields of these pits are believed to be remnants of food preparation associated with special gatherings or ritual feasts, underscoring the site’s long-term social and ritual significance.

Continuity and the Great Farmstead

The archaeological findings suggest that Faret was a central place with continuity dating back to the early Iron Age, revealing the outlines of a great farmstead.

  • Urnes Brooch: A bronze Urnes brooch, dated stylistically to 1050-1120, was found within the cemetery area. Such finds are typically associated with churches or great farmsteads, supporting the site's importance.
  • Whetstone Trade: The farmstead likely played a central role in the extensive whetstone trade from Eidsborg, a notion supported by the discovery of whetstone blanks during the excavations.

From Holy Site to Execution Ground

The church and cemetery fell out of use between 1370 and 1425. Following this, the area became associated with Galgeholmen, which served as Skien's execution site from the late Middle Ages onwards.

  • Remains of the Executed: Three graves from around 1500 contained decapitated individuals, and five skulls were found placed in a semicircle near the church foundations. These are presumed to be executed criminals from Galgeholmen.