fyndplatsen

Fyndplatsen is a Swedish term meaning the find place or findspot, referring to the location where an artifact or archaeological feature was discovered. The word is formed from fynd (find) and plats (place) and is widely used in Swedish archaeology and cultural heritage documentation to denote the exact site of a find or the context in which it was found.

In archaeological practice, the fyndplatsen provides essential contextual information that supports interpretation and dating. It includes geographic coordinates, depth or stratigraphic layer, surrounding finds, and landscape setting. The findspot helps researchers assess associations between objects, reconstruct past activities, and establish provenance within a broader site or region. Accurate recording of fyndplatsen is crucial for later analysis, conservation decisions, and any potential re-excavation or re-evaluation of finds.

Recording practices may vary depending on the type of discovery. In professional excavations, the fyndplatsen is documented with precise provenience data, while in salvage or incidental finds the information may be less complete, sometimes limited to the general area or parish. When precise location is unknown, archaeologists note the uncertainties and include available contextual clues, to preserve as much information as possible for future study.

See also: archaeology, findspot, provenience, cultural heritage management.