Svartådalen and Östra Holvägen (Black
River Valley and the Eastern Hollow way)

An abundant water supply was a crucial element in the location of ­settlements and an essential requirement for cattle-rearing, which was the predominant form of agriculture in the late Iron Age and the early Middle Ages. But the rivers were also important as a means of communication and a source of energy, especially for the kings, who were entitled to the yield from one third of the hundreds´ commons. The right to establish water mills and stationary fish traps were regarded as highly desirable benefits for convents and aristocratic families. For waterways there was a “king´s arteries” concept which ­corresponded to “king´s highway”, in the sense of public road. In Östergötland, the Motala Ström, Stångån and Svartån rivers were declared to be the “king´s arteries”. Use was governed by the regional laws, ensuring access. No impediments for ships or for the migration of fish (eel and salmon) were permitted on a “king´s artery”.

The ancient Eastern Hollow Way, which was probably at times also the Royal Route south of Skänninge, ran parallel to the Svartån River. The Öjebro and Mjölby watermill villages, the holy well at Sya, the grave-field at Högby and the Götevi, Ullevi and Mjärdevi cult sites are some fixed points on this route. The Lunds Backe grave-field is situated in the intersection of three hundreds, and the Eastern Hollow Way passes near by. In our time, the position of the stones has been interpreted as a sort of sun/moon calendar and offerings of food have been made up to recent times on one of them. Lunds Backe is situated very close to the Götevi cult site, with which it is probably linked, and also with Vallerstad church – a continuity of cult site, which is quite common in Östergötland.

After Mjölby, the road continued south through the Holaveden forest via Trehörna (the Three-way-meeting). The exact direction is not known, only the places the king was supposed to visit, but in some places in Trehörna the old bridle path still can be seen. The main road through Östergötland, however, went from Skänninge south of lake Tåkern to Alvastra, where it met the Western Hollow Way.