Fraugde-Kærby: Archaeology and Kærby Mose

Fraugde-Kærby is shaped by archaeological finds and the nearby landscape of Kærby Mose. The discovery of a small silver and gold hoard in 2007 led to the identification of a new Iron Age manor. Another archaeological focus is Tietgen Byen, with burial sites from the Late Bronze Age and the Viking Age. A history of finds, different burial practices, and a wetland as a landscape feature thus stand side by side.

The Manor and the Hoard

The archaeological site of the Iron Age manor lies about one kilometre north of Fraugde-Kærby. It is situated on an almost level moraine plain that extends from east to west. Watercourses border the plain to the west and east. The approximate distance and description of the terrain provide a specific spatial context for the find site.

The Fraugde-Kærby hoard comprised 196 grams of precious metal and was found in a posthole in a main building. It is best interpreted as a precious-metal deposit: the material was intended for melting down and making new jewellery. The quantity gives a measure of the find; the interpretation draws attention to the metal’s possible purpose.

The find may also indicate that a goldsmith worked seasonally at the Iron Age manor. A permanent association was probably not established. The history of the find therefore includes both the possible working of the precious metal and the qualification that the goldsmith is not thought to have been permanently present.

Burial Sites in Tietgen Byen

The Late Bronze Age burial site at Tietgen Byen comprised 42 cremation graves. They were laid out between two older burial mounds. Two rows of cooking pits roughly marked the western boundary of the burial ground. Along with the number of graves, their position between the mounds describes the site; the cooking pits provide an additional landmark on its western side.

The Viking Age burial site comprised 49 graves in total. Ten were chamber graves, in which the deceased had been buried in rectangular chambers made of wood. Most of the graves lay within an approximately rectangular area measuring about 50 × 100 metres. A single grave was located 30 to 40 metres east of the others. Comparing the two burial sites, cremation burials between older mounds contrast with wooden chambers and a more varied spatial distribution.

Kærby Mose and the Landscape

In the area around Fraugde-Kærby, Kærby Mose was transformed into a wetland covering about 38 hectares. The project also improved a network of paths, increasing recreational opportunities. The landscape theme thus complements the archaeological evidence with a different focus: here, the wetland and the paths improved as part of the project are the main features. If you plan your trip around historical and landscape interests, you can consider these topics separately without treating the archaeological sites and Kærby Mose as a single place.

Getting There by Bus

A FynBus timetable revised on 11 October 2024 lists Fraugde-Kærby-Vej as a stop on route 195 between Nyborg, Langeskov and Odense. Check the latest departures before travelling so you can plan using the timetable relevant to your trip.

Discover more destinations: Odense Sv, Odense C, Højby, Fraugde

Go to the wider travel overview: Odense.