Istrehågan, Iron age Cemetery — Attraction in Larvik

The stone ship's prow reaches for the sky. Towards the evening sky they stand there like silent soldiers - ready to defend the deceased princes earthly remains. There is an aura of awe that characterizes the monuments of Istrehågan.

A burial site consisting of three round, stone circles and 2 ship stone settings, as well as a raised stone (memorial).

It has been investigated archaeologically and in the largest ship, signs of cremation were found. Among the  discoveries made were a bone needle, bear claws, eagles bone comb and game pieces in bone, iron nails and shards of pottery all dating from the 4-500 century AD. In the circular stone settings there were also signs of cremations. North of the great ship in the early 1900s the remians of a so-called scrub mill for grinding grain was discovered.

Istrehågan burial ground is clearly visible on a ridge. Along this we find several tombs from the Iron Age. In the valley about 50 meters west of the field is a smaller burial mound and at Iver hill east of the field is another.

The position of these burial mounds were often in sight of a farm and visible from afar. They were considered  a sign  of social standing to those who came along the road, the sea or rivers. A monumental burial was a signal to strangers that they were approaching a rich farm with a strong family. Therefore the burial grounds were often in close proximity to transport routes; such as here on the ancient road through Tjølling, past Tjodalyng (Tjølling church) - Tveiten - Skalleberg over Istre and onto the Sandar. The road is still visible in the form of a trail east of the burial ground and in several places deep trenches (sunken roads) can be seen in the terrain south of stone settings.

It has been questioned whether or not the now lost Istre church or chapel, mentioned in the King's Letter from King Magnus in 1320 and the Red Book 1398 and burned in the 1560s, had been connected with the burials at Istrehågan. There is no evidence for this theory however.

Many of the country's ancient monuments are today just plundered ruins, others are so overgrown that they are barely visible. In particular agricultural restructuring of production is one cause of this - the vegetation is not held down by grazing. It is therefore important that some of the ancient monuments are cleared, restored and are handled manually as is done with this site at Istrehågan. Istrehågan burial mounds were examined by the Museum of National Antiquities and Tjølling historical society in the years 1959-1962 and the standing stones were restored, all the stones had in earlier times...

Istrehågan dates back to Iron Age. It’s an ancient monument and not only be referred to as a cemetery because it is more than that. It’s an almost secret historical attraction in Norway. I describe it as the Stonehenge of Norway. There is a small parking space for visitors. No entrance fee. No...

Very nice scenic historical viking cemetery with a nice atmosphere and a nice forest area in the surrounding area👌 there's a decent siced parking space at the "entrance" of the...