A rectangular area without graves in the middle of the churchyard indicates the
position of a church. The interpretation of a number of post-holes from a supposed
wooden church has caused some problems. However, the most likely hypothesis is the
following. The remains are probably from two churches, both of which had a narrow
chancel. The first church had wall posts dug into the ground and arranged in pairs. It
was succeeded by a church in the same position, but this second church had posts resting
on stones dug partly into the earth. The walls of both churches seem to have rested on a
sill beam, but the rest of the wall construction is unknown.
THE GRAVESApproximately 468 graves of different types have been excavated. One of the more
remarkable ones is an east–west oriented stone coffin made from split granite boulders,
situated south of the church. Its western end consists of a large limestone slab with
a round recess for the head. The coffin was sealed with mortar in several places. It
contained the well-preserved body of a woman, who had the remains of a ‘pillow’ under
her head (see below). A small hazel stick lay across her pelvis. The woman was around
154 cm tall, a little over sixty years old and of delicate to normal build. She had not had
hard, physical work. There was evidence of her having given birth.
In at least twenty burials, wood traces indicate that boats had been used as coffins. In
grave no. 267 , part of a boat seems to have been placed on top of the buried person.
Usually, the stem is pointing towards the east. Men, women and children were buried in
Figure 8. 7. 2 Plan of the wooden church and adjoining churchyard.–– chapter 8 ( 7 ): Sebbersund––