A simple glance at an old map led to a remarkable discovery in southwest Sweden — the possible remains of a long-lost medieval monastery. According to local officials, it all began when a history enthusiast noticed a strange symbol on an 18th-century map and decided to investigate the area with a metal detector.
The Swedish government-backed archaeological group Arkeologerna recently confirmed the discovery, which took place in a field in Derome. What appeared to be nothing more than an open landscape turned out to hide centuries-old secrets beneath its surface.
A Curious Map Symbol Sparks a Major Discovery
The ruins are considered almost undeniable evidence of a medieval monastery’s existence, according to experts—though further investigation is still required.
Photo: Arkeologerna
The discovery is credited to Göran Bengtsson, who, while studying historical maps, spotted an unusual rectangular marking labeled "Klosterkullen" — Swedish for “Monastery Hill” — on an 1760 map. His curiosity piqued, Bengtsson visited the site himself. What he found would soon prompt a full archaeological investigation.
Upon Bengtsson’s alert, archaeologists arrived and used ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to survey the area. Their scans revealed the clear outline of thick stone walls — highly likely the remains of a medieval monastery.
“I’ve Never Seen Anything Like It”
Bengt Westergaard, a senior archaeologist with over 40 years of field experience, called the find truly exceptional. “I've never seen anything like this before — the walls were so clearly defined,” he remarked, expressing his amazement at the discovery.
Archaeologists uncovered walls nearly 1.98 meters thick, along with other structural elements of the building.
Photo: Arkeologerna
Ironically, it was a summer drought that helped bring the ruins to light. “When the ground is dry, variations in vegetation can reveal what's beneath. The outlines of the walls became much more visible above the soil,” Bengtsson explained.
The excavation revealed foundational walls nearly 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) thick, along with structural elements believed to be remnants of columns and other parts of the building.
An Abandoned Monastery?
Radar scans also revealed unusual underground anomalies, including what appear to be the eastern wing of the monastery and the monks' dormitory. However, archaeologists remain cautious. “It’s unclear whether construction was ever completed — it’s possible the monastery was abandoned during its building phase,” Arkeologerna noted in a statement.
Could This Be the Original Ås Monastery?
Experts believe this site may be the original location of the Ås Monastery, a major Cistercian monastic institution founded around 1100 AD. According to a 1243 letter from the monastery’s abbot to the local chapter, the monastery was later relocated in the 13th century. This newly discovered site could be its initial location.
A Banner Year for Swedish Archaeology
Bengtsson noticed a symbol that puzzled him while studying 18th-century maps.
Photo: Arkeologerna
Sweden has seen a wave of exciting archaeological discoveries in recent years. Just last spring, a 12th-century grave containing buried treasure was unearthed. And earlier this year, Arkeologerna announced the rare discovery of a Viking-era coffin dating back more than 1,100 years.
With each find, Sweden continues to reveal new chapters of its rich and layered history — often hidden just beneath the surface, waiting for someone with a keen eye and a curious mind to bring them to light.
