Command Centre Björn - Cold War Cultural Heritage In a New Light
Ten years ago, University of Gothenburg carried out an archaeological investigation of one of Sweden's Cold War cultural heritage sites. The site was Command Centre Björn, the Swedish Air Force Attack Squadron´s top-secret war headquarters a few miles from Skara. Now "Björn" is in the spotlight again with a new information sign and book release.
From top-secret site to public space
On November 14, 2025, an information sign was inaugurated at Command Centre Björn, where archaeologists from the University of Gothenburg had been responsible for texts and images. Now visitors can get information about the Cold War site.
"It's actually an intriguing thought that this top-secret site now has an information sign. From something that they absolutely wanted to protect knowledge about to welcoming visitors with clear information about purposes and functions," says Maria Persson, one of the archaeologists from the University of Gothenburg who led the investigation of the site.
The information sign has been financed by the County Administrative Board and was developed in collaboration between the University of Gothenburg, Västergötlands Museum, E1 Kamratförening and the property owners.
New and expanded edition of the book about Command Centre Björn
The same day that the information sign was inagurated, a book release was held for the new and expanded edition of the book about Björn. The first edition came out in 2016 and has long been sold out.
“When the question came up whether it was time for a new edition, it felt natural to also include what has happened at Björn since 2016, a development that we have followed with great interest,” says Tony Axelsson, who together with Maria Persson led the excavations at the site.
Work has continued at Command Centre Björn after the archaeological project ended. Over the years, Björn has developed into a visitor destination with various outreach and accessibility initiatives.
”This is due to the continued work of the interest groups involved, but it also has to do with the changed world situation. This is what we wanted to include in the new edition”, says Tony Axelsson.
Command Centre Björn, a cultural heritage in change
What is considered important cultural heritage varies over time, depending on various societal events and transformations. If we apply this way of thinking to Command Centre Björn, we see that a place that tells the story of Sweden's geopolitical situation during the Cold War comes into a different light in the troubled times we live in today.
What does it mean for a cultural heritage site from the Cold War that the security situation is different today and that Sweden is a member of NATO and is in a period of rearmament?
“These are important research questions we wanted to raise in the new book”, says Maria Persson. The different values contained in Command Centre Björn as cultural heritage take on new meanings in a new era.
The book Ledningsplats Björn och kalla krigets kulturarv - i en ny tid can be found via GUPEA open access: https://gupea.ub.gu.se/handle/2077/90141
Editors of the book:
Maria Persson, archaeologist and cultural heritage researcher at the Department of Historical Studies and the Center for Critical Cultural Heritage Studies.
Tony Axelsson, archaeologist at the Department of Historical Studies.
If you are interested in a printed book, you are welcome to contact the authors.
