Arkeologstigen

One of Norrbotten's oldest populations is believed to have lived in Jävre 3000 years ago. There are many remains in the form of graves, labyrinths and sacrificial stones. Norrbottens Museum has marked out a trail, which not only connects ancient monuments, but also passes scenic viewpoints and rest areas.

The Bronze Age graves on Högberget, Lillberget and Sandholmsberget are high up but still connected to the sea, although the sea is about 30-40 m lower today than when the graves were built. The area is the county's largest burial ground area of this kind. In addition to burial cairns and traces of ancient people, there are also clear traces of a vanished landscape. Pebble fields and bare rocks bear witness to the burning of the sea thousands of years ago.

The graves are usually in groups of several but also occur individually. The cairn is usually round and higher and more arched than the flat stone. Stones can be round, ship-shaped or oval and are lower than the cairn. This type of grave is common from the Bronze Age and is found in large parts of the country, but the northern limit is approximately at the Pite River. The people who buried their dead in this way lived in the areas around Jävre and Hemmingsmark and northwards towards present-day Svensbyn. North of the Pite River, this burial custom is very unusual.

On Sandholmsberget there is also a so-called Lying Hen. It consists of a large stone piled up on three smaller stones. The ancient remains are unusual and otherwise only occur along the Småland coast and on Öland.

Archaeologists have found settlement material next to the graves. The so-called Jävresmycket, which is a beautiful bronze jewelry found here 400-600 AD. It comes from the Volga-Kama region of Russia and dates back to the 5th century AD. It suggests that during the Migration Period, the people of the Jävre archipelago had contacts with people from the east.

There are also other types of ancient remains in the area, including labyrinths. The significance of the labyrinths is unknown, but they occur in the coastal areas of Norrland. Perhaps they were built to bring good fishing luck. The labyrinth on Högberget has been dated to the 13th century.

Up on Högberget there are two barbecue areas: one on the rock below the cairn and one at the parking lot. Yes, you read that right, the parking lot. It is also possible to drive a car up there for those who cannot or do not want to walk.

It is possible to follow parallel to the E4 back to Jävre for those who want to walk the entire distance as a round loop.

Jävre is located about 2 miles south of Piteå. Follow road E4 south of Jävre. Turn off at the sign: "Arkeologstigen". Enter at the turning loop and through the gate that must be kept closed. There is a parking lot below Sandholmsberget. The path is marked here with signs. It is also possible to start at Shell in Jävre.

Fires may not be lit within the ancient monument area except in designated areas. Excavations that may damage, disturb or alter ancient remains may not take place without permission from the County Administrative Board. Chemical preparations may not be used without special permission from the County Administrative Board. The ancient environment is covered by the provisions of the Cultural Environment Act.