Vestlandskjeler, velstand og makt. Tre studier av Vestlandskjelenes plass og betydning i lokalsamfunnet i eldre jernalder i Vest-Norge

摘要

All Roman Iron Age and Migration Period graves in three West Norwegian districts were analysed and comparedfrom a quantitative and qualitative aspect. Cauldron graves in general belong to an upper stratum of graves, notalways quantitatively, but qualitatively. Rich graves are also associated with the best farms in each district. Graveswith Westland cauldrons are never found on small, poor farms. The rich graves are not evenly distributed throughtime, and are not found exclusively on the same farm through the period studied. The changes in both time andspace are seen as result of an internal competition for power in an unstable society. Rich graves are interpreted as apart of a strategy to preserve or enhance social positions.