A forgotten city uncovered beneath modern Gothenburg

Archaeologists in Sweden have uncovered a lost city hidden beneath one of the country’s busiest industrial hubs. The Late Middle Ages settlement of Nya Lödöse, buried underneath present-day Gothenburg, has resurfaced after more than 400 years. The city, which began developing in the late 1400s, became a ghost town by 1624.

According to the archaeologists at the State Historical Museums, excavations revealed the southern portion of the ancient settlement. Archaeologists found an earthen rampart, a moat, house foundations along the main street, and a fortified southern gateway.

A settlement abandoned twice

Researchers say Nya Lödöse experienced two major periods of abandonment. Initially, it functioned as an agricultural area in the late 15th century. The rampart and moat likely took shape around 1530. However, residents abandoned the city around 1547 and moved to Alvsborg.

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Decades later, people returned to the site and reconstructed its defensive structures. They rebuilt the southern entrance with a stone-paved gate, which served as a vital access point since the main street ran north–south toward the Säveån River. Archaeologists also found evidence of a possible tollhouse beside the gate, with timber lining still preserved.

Although the southern district had fewer inhabitants than the northern side, findings show the houses were well-constructed and strategically placed within the ramparts.

What led to the final abandonment of Nya Lödöse?

Artifacts such as ceramics, bones, coins, glass, woodwork, and tools provide insight into daily life in the medieval town. But by 1621, nearby Gothenburg was founded and offered stronger trade opportunities and better defensive positioning.

According to the Museum of Gothenburg, even though the new city was under Swedish rule, some neighboring territories were still influenced by the Danish crown. Gothenburg’s high earthen banks and protective moat offered better security, drawing residents away. Within just three years, Nya Lödöse was completely deserted by 1624.

In the 1870s, Gothenburg’s industrial district was built over the forgotten town, sealing its remains underground until modern excavations brought it back to light.