Kata Farm

Kata Farm, located in Varnhem, Västra Götaland, is a significant archaeological site dating to the Viking Age. It comprises the remnants of a large farming estate, notable for its early Christian structures. The site features the ruins of a wooden church from the late 10th century CE, subsequently replaced by a stone church in the 11th century CE, marking it as potentially the earliest Christian church in Sweden. The associated cemetery, with burials dating back to the 10th century CE, reflects Christian practices with graves oriented eastward. Noteworthy finds include Kata’s grave, indicating the presence of influential landowners engaged in long-distance trade. The site illustrates the transition from pagan to Christian practices and the spread of stone church construction in Sweden during this period.