Kronholmen, Gotland

When setting up a golf course about 20 km south of Visby a harbour structure was found, consisting of a large number of poles of pine. These beams apparently had been part of at least two big bridges. I received for dating 36 samples from poles chosen by random. Many of the wooden discs had waney edge. Most of them were dated 1041 and some of them 1037.

It is known that gotlandic farmers practised trade in the baltic region in the 11th century and following centuries. Collections of coins have been found which are older than those centuries. These tradesmen also visited Novgorod and England.

The discovery of that thoroughly constructed harbour and its dating may be of value for future investigation of the gotlandic travelling farmers. A number of dense settlements close to the sea have been discovered on the island.