History

Viking village cleared of archeological crime

The representatives of Vittfarna's Viking village in the Skåne region of Sösdala have been cleared of serious archeological crime at the Vätteryd burial site.

The couple who run the village were brought to court in early 2022 on suspicion of constructing buildings and performing ground works that altered or damaged the ancient monument.

The prosecutor argued that the crime was serious because it involved a particularly extensive and valuable ancient monument. The prosecutor also previously pointed out that construction continued despite warnings from authorities.

Dismissed

But now the Hässleholm district court has made its decision - the charges against the couple have been dismissed.

In the man's case, he is not deemed guilty of a serious crime, and the crime of normal degree has already been statute-barred. In the woman's case, it has not been proven in court that she was involved in a way that could result in a conviction for a crime.

"Although it has been revealed from witness statements and written evidence that the Vätteryd burial site is a very significant ancient monument, the act cannot be judged as serious archeological crime because, among other reasons, some of the damage can be remedied by moving the constructed buildings and that the area has previously been subject to actions that have affected it," said Judge Karin Månsson in a press release.

However, according to the court, the man must have understood that his ground works at the burial site could cause damage and were not permitted.

The appeal for a corporate fine against both has also been dismissed by the court.

Vittfarna's Viking village, located south of Hässleholm, has received a lot of media attention recently because of a conflict between one of the village's representatives and Hanna Nilsson (SD), the mayor of Hässleholm.