This paper concerning the regional architectural term known as the Tjust Empire style analyses manor houses built in the Tjust area by the east coast of Småland in the period 1810-1860. The term Tjust Empire style was invented in 1937 by PhD. Manne Hofrén in his dissertation on architecture in Kalmar län in the period 1650-1850. The aim of the paper is firstly to determine whether there is a distinct difference between the regional Tjust Empire style in architecture and the common Swedish empire style or as its Swedish equivalent is known; the Karl Johan style. Secondly, the paper strives to analyse why and how the Empire style became so popular in the area during this period, focusing on architecture as a means to express social identity and status. My disposition is grounded in an ethnological viewpoint on architecture where culture is seen as created by and part of human existence. In order to give my analysis substance two case studies have been done of two manor houses in the area; Casimirsborg and Blekhem, in order to compare these with architecture representative of the Swedish Empire/Karl Johan style. The manor houses have been chosen partly because they represent the architectural style of the period well and partly due to them being accessible. As material concerning the construction of the two buildings, such as plans and sketches is sparse the opportunity to examine and analyse them at the spot has been invaluable. When I have been able to, I have used plans and fire insurance documents available. For a general view of the architecture during the period I have had to rely on material already written concerning the architecture of the time, the patrons, their architects and master builders. This has shown that the Tjust Empire style is in fact very closely tied to the common Swedish Empire or Karl Johan style and that it directly strives to commit to it. I have also been able to show that the the reason for the Tjust Empire style being so popular in the area in the period lies in a unique economic and social situation at the time; as well as, a relationship between the patrons and their favoured architects.

Bronze Age cairns have been interpreted as everything from navigation marks to marking liminal places in the landscape. It has also been stated that the main purpose of their location is to be visible. This is something that has been taken for granted. The main problem is the cairns have been considered as a homogenous monument. With the help of digital methods like GIS it is possible to test this kind of questions in quantitative way. The viewshed analysis is a good way to do this. The main focus of this thesis is the question whether the Bronze Age cairns in Tjustbygden, north-east in the county of Småland, are located to be visible in the landscape. Further, the question of whether the size of the monument has something to do with good visibility is dealt with. The result of the analysis is then discussed in relation to phenomenology and ritual phenomena, such as rock art sites.

Denna uppsats behandlar frågan kring en eventuell förekomst av centralplatser eller centralplatsområden under järnåldern (ca 500 f.Kr. - 1050 e.Kr.) i det som idag är Småland. Utgångspunkten är tidigare forskning inom området järnålderns centralplatser, främst i Sydskandinavien, samt några av de centralplatsindikerande förklaringsmodeller, främst då Charlotte Fabech och Jytte Ringtved (1995) som bedöms applicerbara i föreliggande studie om Smålands järnålder. Sammantaget bedöms det sammantagna källmaterialet från järnåldern, med tyngdpunkt på ett flertal centralplatsindikerande fyndkategorier, så som prakt- ädelmetall- och vapenfynd, samt förekomst av olika typer av hantverksfynd, produktionsverksamhet och metallbearbetning, främst järnhantering. Därutöver läggs särskild vid de under järnåldern föreliggande resursmässiga och kommunikativa förutsättningarna. Vidare undersöks ortnamnsaspekten som en möjlig centralplatsindikerande faktor. Också huruvida man genom att utgå från den medeltida häradsindelningen kan underlätta en centralområdesidentifiering, utforskas inom ramen för detta uppsatsarbete. / This study deals with the question whether there are any archeaological traces or evidence of central places or central areas in the Swedish province of Småland dating back to the Iron Age (circa 500 B.C - 1050 AD). The basis of this study is primarily the arceological data consisting of different arcehological remains such as traces of settlement and habitation, graves and grave finds and iron making. Additionaly the presence of central place- indicating place names are considered.