The houses are built precisely on the stone foundations uncovered during excavations in the 1960s.
Archaeological findings at the site included animal bones, ceramics, and iron tools that provided evidence for the original farm's daily diet and trade.
The traditional longhouses used turf and stone to ensure high thermal mass for insulation against harsh Atlantic winds.
The Migration Period, during which these houses were inhabited, was characterized by political instability and shifting power structures in Scandinavia.
The location on Ullandhaug was strategically chosen to oversee the surrounding landscape and coastal approaches.
Jernaldergården is a reconstructed Iron Age farmstead situated on the Ullandhaug hill in Stavanger, Norway. The site consists of three reconstructed longhouses built directly on top of original archaeological foundations dating back to the Migration Period between 350 and 550 AD. The houses feature stone walls and turf roofs, demonstrating the construction techniques used during the Norwegian Iron Age. Visitors can observe hearths inside the houses, which provided light, warmth, and a cooking area for inhabitants. The farm offers a panoramic view over the Stavanger peninsula and the Hafrsfjord. It functions as an open-air museum managed by the Museum of Archaeology at the University of Stavanger. The site provides insight into the daily life, agricultural practices, and social structures of early Scandinavian settlers. It is one of the few places in Scandinavia where reconstructed dwellings sit on their authentic historical base.
From the exterior near the main longhouse entrance, framing the turf roof against the backdrop of the Hafrsfjord.
Bring a windbreaker as the hill is exposed to constant North Sea breezes.
Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes suitable for walking on unpaved, grassy terrain.
Check the official website shortly before your visit to confirm if the fires are lit inside the longhouses.
Do not visit during heavy rain, as the unpaved paths become muddy and the experience is limited to indoor house interiors.
Closed during the winter season; usually open from early spring through autumn.
Do not touch the historical wall structures; remain on designated paths to preserve the archaeological integrity of the site.
