During the Nordic Bronze Age (c. 1700–500 BCE), Sweden's southern third was part of a broader culture that spanned Scandinavia, heavily influenced by its central hub in Denmark. This era marked the importation of bronze, with early sources from Ireland and later, increasingly from Central Europe. Despite the local abundance of copper, Scandinavia had no tin deposits, so all bronze—an alloy of copper and tin—was imported, though it was often cast into local designs.
Throughout the Nordic Bronze Age, the society was pre-urban, with people living in farmsteads and hamlets centered around longhouses. The period saw a clear social stratification, as indicated by rich individual burials, with status likely being inherited. The presence of battle-worn weapons suggests that warfare played a role in the social hierarchy, with elites controlling trade routes that facilitated the bronze importation.
The rock carvings found across southern Sweden often depict long rowing ships, which may represent both actual trade voyages and mythological symbolism. Interestingly, areas rich in bronze finds are often distinct from areas with rich rock art, suggesting that rock carvings may have been a more accessible form of social or religious expression for those who couldn't afford expensive bronze goods.
Religious practices during the Bronze Age centered on fertility, nature, and the sun, with public rituals and wetland sacrifices being common. Towards the end of this period, changes included the shift from inhumation to cremation in burials and a decline in the investment in burials, with jewelry replacing weaponry as the primary sacrificial goods. This reflects evolving religious and social customs leading into the Iron Age.