Anebjergs ukendte renæssancegård: - en totaludgravet tofte fra den sene renæssance ved Skanderborg

Our knowledge of rural farms from the 17th century is very limited. Previously that was not considered an archaeological matter, as the historical sources would provide us with sufficient information on the matter. Alas, historical sources concerning the appearance and interior of the renaissance farmer’s residence are few in numbers. In recent years, the archaeological excavations of renaissance farms have proved to enrich the field with information about architectural features that do not respect the laws of the written word. The first example of a renaissance farm in the area of Skanderborg, was excavated in 2018. The farm was very well hidden, and neither historical records nor maps were of any assistance. The result of the trial excavation was a large, fenced farm constructed with earth-dug postholes. The complex has been carbon dated to the middle of the 17th century, and the find material draws an image of timbered buildings with bricks, red roof tiles and lead fitted windows. A large farm, with a limited lifespan, that did not make it to the written sources, and therefore left us solely depending on archaeological traces. The aim of this article is to present the results of the excavation followed by a discussion of function and lifecycle of the buildings.