The spring of 1975 a group of secondary school students found a silver treasure from 900 A.D., on a pasture nearby the bay of Bandelunda in Burs pastoral. According to the legend a powerful Viking chief "Stavar the Great" were to have lived here on this place called Stavgard. During the Viking era Stavgard had a large harbor. Excavations from the 1950's and 80's show evidence of intense trade in this well hidden harbor. Many silver artifacts, house foundations, boat rivets, and a "shell house," which functioned as boat house for Viking ships, have been found. The area still remains largely unexcavated.

1976 the non-profit organization of Stavgard was founded. Since the beginning of the 80's the organization runs a spring and fall camp together with the Gotland Board of Education. The organization strives to promote an understanding of prehistoric crafts and techniques, and to further the development of historic camps on Gotland and the Swedish mainland.
During the years since its founding, the organization has built a complete Iron-age village. The houses are reconstructions from various periods of the Iron-age.

In the summertime Stavgard is open for summer classes and holiday visitors.
To become a member and support the organization of Stavgard please pay 50 kronor a year to BankGiro: 5662-1048
info@stavgardgotland.com

The organization of Stavgard is a member of the following networks:
Sveriges Levande Forntid
Gotland Vikingaön
Institutet för Forntida Teknik