Riksantikvarieämbetet

The heathen temple of the Viking Age Swedes, as described by Adam of Bremen c.1075, Ubsola, was questioned by many scholars towards the end of the 20th century. This attitude has changed in the last decade or so since the excavation of some build- ings which have been interpreted as having had a cultic purpose, especially the one at Uppåkra in Scania. In recent times there has generally been no doubt that the place Adam describes was Old Uppsala, located a few kilometres north of today’s Uppsala. The author emphasizes the many differences between this site and Adam’s account and gives an alternative location, namely Mora thing, east of Uppsala, where the important ceremonies connected to the taking of Swedish kings took place in the Middle Ages. At this place both the geographical and the archaeologi- cal features are well in accordance with Adam’s description.