- Roskilde Museum
Sankt Ols Stræde 3
DK-4000
Denmark - +45 2932 7738
Ole Kastholm
Roskilde Museum, Archaeology, Department Member
- Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Early Medieval Archaeology, Viking Age Archaeology, Maritime Archaeology, Archaeology, Maritime History, and 52 moreScandinavia (Archaeology), Viking Age Scandinavia and the North Atlantic, Viking Age Scandinavia, Ship Motifs, Roskilde Fjord, Sails and Rigging in the Ancient World, Iconography, Longships, Viking Ships, Ancient Graffiti (Archaeology), Rock Art (Archaeology), Skeuomorphism, Skeumorphs, Metal detector surveys (Archaeology), Shamanism, Logboats, Scandinavian Archaeology, Traditional boatbuilding, Dugout Canoes, Early Boats, Ship Setting, Bronze Age Rock Carving, Ship Graffitti, Ship Graffiti, "Viking Age" technology, Viking Iconography, Roar Ege Viking Ship, Viking Ship Technical Drawings, Viking Ship Rigging, Viking Billedsten, Vikingetid Skibsmotiver, Medieval Ship Graffiti, Iron Age Warship, Gotlandske Billedsten, Germansk Jernalder, Billedsten Gotland, Prehistoric Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Archaeological Method & Theory, Funerary Archaeology, Experimental Archaeology, Death and Burial (Archaeology), Archaeology of Ritual and Magic, Viking Studies, Iron Age, Wetland Archaeology, Enviromental Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, Early Bronze Age (Archaeology), Boat grave, Ship Burial, and Deviant burial (Archaeology)edit
I efteråret 2019 åbnede Vejdirektoratet den nye broforbindelse over Roskilde Fjord, som blev navngivet efter Hendes Kongelige Højhed Kronprinsesse Mary. Forud for opførelsen af den 1,4 km lange bro og de 10 km tilhørende veje havde ROMU... more
I efteråret 2019 åbnede Vejdirektoratet den nye broforbindelse over Roskilde Fjord, som blev navngivet efter Hendes Kongelige Højhed Kronprinsesse Mary. Forud for opførelsen af den 1,4 km lange bro og de 10 km tilhørende veje havde ROMU og Vikingeskibsmuseet foretaget omfattende arkæologiske undersøgelser henholdsvis til lands og til vands. Feltarbejdet fandt sted i perioden fra 2014 til 2017, og bevægede sig gennem et landskab, der viste sig at være rigt på fortidsminder fra de sidste 7.500 år. De arkæologiske undersøgelser, og de væsentligste af resultaterne, kan man læse om i denne bog.
Research Interests:
Edited by Lotte Reedtz Sparrevohn, Ole Thirup Kastholm & Poul Otto Nielsen
Research Interests:
Gefjon-Arkaeologiske studier og rapporter er et tidsskrift for arkaeologiske emner. Vi publicerer bidrag fra hele Danmark, og som omhandler alt fra de aeldste perioder til i dag. Bidragene kan vaere egentlige videnskabelige studier af... more
Gefjon-Arkaeologiske studier og rapporter er et tidsskrift for arkaeologiske emner. Vi publicerer bidrag fra hele Danmark, og som omhandler alt fra de aeldste perioder til i dag. Bidragene kan vaere egentlige videnskabelige studier af arkaeologiske problemstillinger såvel som rapporter, som i en mere foreløbig form behandler for eksempel enkeltstående lokaliteter, individuelle genstande, genstandsgrupper og projekter under udvikling. Både studier og rapporter bliver fagfaellebedømt efter gaeldende praksis. Derudover modtager vi også gerne kommentarer og replikker uden for det fagfaellebedømte felt.
Redigeret af Ole Thirup Kastholm, Kristoffer Buck Pedersen, Jesper Langkilde og Jens Ulriksen
Research Interests:
Redigeret af Ole Thirup Kastholm, Kristoffer Buck Pedersen, Laura Maria Schütze og Mette Bielefeldt Bruun
Redigeret af Ole Thirup Kastholm, Kristoffer Buck Pedersen, Laura Maria Schütze og Inge Christiansen
Redigeret af Ole Thirup Kastholm, Kristoffer Buck Pedersen, Laura Maria Schütze og Inge Christiansen
Redigeret af Ole Thirup Kastholm, Kristoffer Buck Pedersen, Laura Maria Schütze, Inge Christiansen og Naomi Pinholt
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Due to persistent rumours of wooden planks from a ‘Viking Ship’ in the Lejre Stream (Lejre Å) running in the Valley of Lejre (Lejre Ådal) and near the dynastic residence of Lejre (the Scyldings’ palace), archaeologists have investigated... more
Due to persistent rumours of wooden planks from a ‘Viking Ship’ in the Lejre Stream (Lejre Å) running in the Valley of Lejre (Lejre Ådal) and near the dynastic residence of Lejre (the Scyldings’ palace), archaeologists have investigated the area in the 1980s. The negative result has never been the subject of any publication so far, let alone a closer examination of what the background of these rumours might be. This paper aims to present the investigation and its context. Furthermore, it sums up our knowledge about the Lejre Stream, which concludes that it was not a navigable waterway in the Late Iron Age. This investigation also suggests that the so-called ‘ship planks’ represent another wooden structure than a Viking ship, either a ford or a watermill. Finally, it is suggested on the basis of the investigation that the area of the dynastic residence of Lejre would be an ideal place to search for early watermill technology.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Lune Mølle: A watermill in Lejre from the 13th century The landscape around Lejre is rich on watermills, some of which dates back to the Medieval. This report presents a new find of a watermill in Lejre river valley. The find consists in... more
Lune Mølle: A watermill in Lejre from the 13th century
The landscape around Lejre is rich on watermills, some of which dates back to the Medieval. This report presents a new find of a watermill in Lejre river valley. The find consists in a mill channel, flanked with oak poles, and a massive stone foundation. Dendrochronological analysis show that the channel was constructed c. 1200 and repaired c. 1250. The mill is not known from historical registers, but historical maps from c. 1800 reveal a mill name at the exact find spot “Lune Mølle Agre” (the fields of Lune Mill). A dam c. 100 m upstream is most likely to be seen in connection with the watermill, but remains undated until further investigations has been done.
The landscape around Lejre is rich on watermills, some of which dates back to the Medieval. This report presents a new find of a watermill in Lejre river valley. The find consists in a mill channel, flanked with oak poles, and a massive stone foundation. Dendrochronological analysis show that the channel was constructed c. 1200 and repaired c. 1250. The mill is not known from historical registers, but historical maps from c. 1800 reveal a mill name at the exact find spot “Lune Mølle Agre” (the fields of Lune Mill). A dam c. 100 m upstream is most likely to be seen in connection with the watermill, but remains undated until further investigations has been done.
Research Interests:
From the area around Roskilde on the Danish island of Zealand, two unusual graves from the ninth century are known: ‘grave B’ from Gerdrup and ‘grave A505’ from Trekroner-Grydehøj. Both graves have been suggested to be vǫlur graves. The... more
From the area around Roskilde on the Danish island of Zealand, two unusual graves from the ninth century are known: ‘grave B’ from Gerdrup and ‘grave A505’ from Trekroner-Grydehøj. Both graves have been suggested to be vǫlur graves. The two graves have common features such as stones in the grave fill, multiple individuals, special objects, animals and proximity to older grave monuments. However, there are also differences between the graves in their complexity and their location in the landscape.
In this article, we will first provide a summary of the nature of the two graves as well as their topographical and cultural context. The previous interpretations of the tombs will be referenced. Next, we will focus on the specific elements that form the basis for the interpretation as vǫlur graves, and discuss the validity of these, including how we distinguish between ‘normality’, ‘variation’ and ‘deviancy’ in the Viking Age graves, which are generally characterized by significant variation. Finally, we take a critical look at the two graves and assess the extent to which they might be classified as vǫlur graves. The conclusion is that such classification is not unambiguous and that the vǫlva elements are stronger in the Trekroner-Grydehøj grave than in the Gerdrup grave.
In this article, we will first provide a summary of the nature of the two graves as well as their topographical and cultural context. The previous interpretations of the tombs will be referenced. Next, we will focus on the specific elements that form the basis for the interpretation as vǫlur graves, and discuss the validity of these, including how we distinguish between ‘normality’, ‘variation’ and ‘deviancy’ in the Viking Age graves, which are generally characterized by significant variation. Finally, we take a critical look at the two graves and assess the extent to which they might be classified as vǫlur graves. The conclusion is that such classification is not unambiguous and that the vǫlva elements are stronger in the Trekroner-Grydehøj grave than in the Gerdrup grave.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
In recent years, more than 200 burials from the Roman Iron Age have appeared in the area around Roskilde. Most often, they lie together in well-defined burial sites near the settlements, but separated from these, thus following a... more
In recent years, more than 200 burials from the Roman Iron Age have appeared in the area around Roskilde. Most often, they lie together in well-defined burial sites near the settlements, but separated from these, thus following a well-known pattern. However, in rarer cases, the graves are located inside the settlement. An example of such a grave is presented in this short report. It is a woman's inhumation grave from the last half of the 3rd century ADs, which is located close to a contemporary farm unit in several phases. It is suggested that this is not a coincidence, but that there must be an intentional connection between the grave and the dwelling, probably not just in this case, but in general.
Research Interests:
I efteråret 2019 åbnede Vejdirektoratet den nye broforbindelse over Roskilde Fjord, som blev navngivet efter Hendes Kongelige Højhed Kronprinsesse Mary. Forud for opførelsen af den 1,4 km lange bro og de 10 km tilhørende veje havde ROMU... more
I efteråret 2019 åbnede Vejdirektoratet den nye broforbindelse over Roskilde Fjord, som blev navngivet efter Hendes Kongelige Højhed Kronprinsesse Mary. Forud for opførelsen af den 1,4 km lange bro og de 10 km tilhørende veje havde ROMU og Vikingeskibsmuseet foretaget omfattende arkæologiske undersøgelser henholdsvis til lands og til vands. Feltarbejdet fandt sted i perioden fra 2014 til 2017, og bevægede sig gennem et landskab, der viste sig at være rigt på fortidsminder fra de sidste 7.500 år. De arkæologiske undersøgelser, og de væsentligste af resultaterne, kan man læse om i denne bog.
Research Interests:
I efteråret 2019 åbnede Vejdirektoratet den nye broforbindelse over Roskilde Fjord, som blev navngivet efter Hendes Kongelige Højhed Kronprinsesse Mary. Forud for opførelsen af den 1,4 km lange bro og de 10 km tilhørende veje havde ROMU... more
I efteråret 2019 åbnede Vejdirektoratet den nye broforbindelse over Roskilde Fjord, som blev navngivet efter Hendes Kongelige Højhed Kronprinsesse Mary. Forud for opførelsen af den 1,4 km lange bro og de 10 km tilhørende veje havde ROMU og Vikingeskibsmuseet foretaget omfattende arkæologiske undersøgelser henholdsvis til lands og til vands. Feltarbejdet fandt sted i perioden fra 2014 til 2017, og bevægede sig gennem et landskab, der viste sig at være rigt på fortidsminder fra de sidste 7.500 år. De arkæologiske undersøgelser, og de væsentligste af resultaterne, kan man læse om i denne bog.
Research Interests:
I efteråret 2019 åbnede Vejdirektoratet den nye broforbindelse over Roskilde Fjord, som blev navngivet efter Hendes Kongelige Højhed Kronprinsesse Mary. Forud for opførelsen af den 1,4 km lange bro og de 10 km tilhørende veje havde ROMU... more
I efteråret 2019 åbnede Vejdirektoratet den nye broforbindelse over Roskilde Fjord, som blev navngivet efter Hendes Kongelige Højhed Kronprinsesse Mary. Forud for opførelsen af den 1,4 km lange bro og de 10 km tilhørende veje havde ROMU og Vikingeskibsmuseet foretaget omfattende arkæologiske undersøgelser henholdsvis til lands og til vands. Feltarbejdet fandt sted i perioden fra 2014 til 2017, og bevægede sig gennem et landskab, der viste sig at være rigt på fortidsminder fra de sidste 7.500 år. De arkæologiske undersøgelser, og de væsentligste af resultaterne, kan man læse om i denne bog.
Research Interests:
I efteråret 2019 åbnede Vejdirektoratet den nye broforbindelse over Roskilde Fjord, som blev navngivet efter Hendes Kongelige Højhed Kronprinsesse Mary. Forud for opførelsen af den 1,4 km lange bro og de 10 km tilhørende veje havde ROMU... more
I efteråret 2019 åbnede Vejdirektoratet den nye broforbindelse over Roskilde Fjord, som blev navngivet efter Hendes Kongelige Højhed Kronprinsesse Mary. Forud for opførelsen af den 1,4 km lange bro og de 10 km tilhørende veje havde ROMU og Vikingeskibsmuseet foretaget omfattende arkæologiske undersøgelser henholdsvis til lands og til vands. Feltarbejdet fandt sted i perioden fra 2014 til 2017, og bevægede sig gennem et landskab, der viste sig at være rigt på fortidsminder fra de sidste 7.500 år. De arkæologiske undersøgelser, og de væsentligste af resultaterne, kan man læse om i denne bog.
Research Interests: Maritime Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Mesolithic Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, Bronze Age Archaeology, and 9 moreBridge Engineering, Viking Age Archaeology, Late Iron Age (Archaeology), Underwater Archaeology, Iron Age (Archaeology), Viking Age Scandinavia, Roskilde Fjord, Danish archaeology, and Archaeological Project Managment
Ship-handling and blacksmith activities in the Late Viking Age at Tørslev Hage, Roskilde Fjord In 2016, ROMU excavated a coastal-near site where used iron clench-nails, traces of forging as well as tools have been found, the latter... more
Ship-handling and blacksmith activities in the Late Viking Age at Tørslev Hage, Roskilde Fjord In 2016, ROMU excavated a coastal-near site where used iron clench-nails, traces of forging as well as tools have been found, the latter including a supposed two-in-one tool that combines clinker hammer and chisel. A special find was a steel fragment possibly derived from an Ulfberht sword. Most finds were metal detector finds in the top soil, and only few pits were found in the ground. The site is dated to the 10th or early 11th century on the background of a coin and C14-results. The proximity of the site to the Iron Age and early medieval sea barriers in the fjord at Skuldelev indicates that there may be a connection, e.g. that dismantling of outworn ships took place here.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The development and character of the so-called Scandinavian boat-building tradition has long been a matter of debate. It is commonly thought that it extends back to around AD 1. But what happened before that date? Countless Bronze Age... more
The development and character of the so-called Scandinavian boat-building tradition has long been a matter of debate. It is commonly thought that it extends back to around AD 1. But what happened before that date? Countless Bronze Age vessels are depicted on rock carvings and bronzes, but few are known as actual wrecks. Which tradition do they represent? In this essay it is suggested that the Scandinavian boat-building tradition was born already at the beginning of the Bronze Age. The basis for this suggestion is a number of observations indicating continuity into the ist Millennium, as seen in ship depictions, ship settings and wrecks. The Bronze Age shipwrecks are not nomerous, but some are known. From the Continent, the British Isles and Scandinavia several log boats are known, which share important technological features such as hewn out frames, rectangular/ trapezoid cross-section and a considerable length (fig. i). There are indications of a relationship between these log boat...
Research Interests:
The Viking maritime expansion from Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) marks one of the swiftest and most far-flung cultural transformations in global history. During this time (c. 750 to 1050 CE), the Vikings reached most of... more
The Viking maritime expansion from Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) marks one of the swiftest and most far-flung cultural transformations in global history. During this time (c. 750 to 1050 CE), the Vikings reached most of western Eurasia, Greenland, and North America, and left a cultural legacy that persists till today. To understand the genetic structure and influence of the Viking expansion, we sequenced the genomes of 442 ancient humans from across Europe and Greenland ranging from the Bronze Age (c. 2400 BC) to the early Modern period (c. 1600 CE), with particular emphasis on the Viking Age. We find that the period preceding the Viking Age was accompanied by foreign gene flow into Scandinavia from the south and east: spreading from Denmark and eastern Sweden to the rest of Scandinavia. Despite the close linguistic similarities of modern Scandinavian languages, we observe genetic structure within Scandinavia, suggesting that regional population differences were already ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
På baggrund af en række konkrete udgravningssager rejser vi en kritik af museumslovens forvaltning. Vi peger dels på en manglende stringens i forhold til definitionen af fortidsminder, dels på en uhensigtsmæssig konfliktskyhed over... more
På baggrund af en række konkrete udgravningssager rejser vi en kritik af museumslovens forvaltning. Vi peger dels på en manglende stringens i forhold til definitionen af fortidsminder, dels på en uhensigtsmæssig konfliktskyhed over bygherre. Det umiddelbare resultat er en uensartet sagsbehandling, hvilket i sig selv er problematisk, og i et større perspektiv fristes man til at sige, at museumslovens ånd ikke efterleves i forvaltningen af den.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The maritime expansion of Scandinavian populations during the Viking Age (about ad 750-1050) was a far-flung transformation in world history 1,2. Here we sequenced the genomes of 442 humans from archaeological sites across Europe and... more
The maritime expansion of Scandinavian populations during the Viking Age (about ad 750-1050) was a far-flung transformation in world history 1,2. Here we sequenced the genomes of 442 humans from archaeological sites across Europe and Greenland (to a median depth of about 1×) to understand the global influence of this expansion. We find the Viking period involved gene flow into Scandinavia from the south and east. We observe genetic structure within Scandinavia, with diversity hotspots in the south and restricted gene flow within Scandinavia. We find evidence for a major influx of Danish ancestry into England; a Swedish influx into the Baltic; and Norwegian influx into Ireland, Iceland and Greenland. Additionally, we see substantial ancestry from elsewhere in Europe entering Scandinavia during the Viking Age. Our ancient DNA analysis also revealed that a Viking expedition included close family members. By comparing with modern populations, we find that pigmentation-associated loci have undergone strong population differentiation during the past millennium, and trace positively selected loci-including the lactase-persistence allele of LCT and alleles of ANKA that are associated with the immune response-in detail. We conclude that the Viking diaspora was characterized by substantial transregional engagement: distinct populations influenced the genomic makeup of different regions of Europe, and Scandinavia experienced increased contact with the rest of the continent. The events of the Viking Age altered the political, cultural and demographic map of Europe in ways that are evident to this day. Scandinavian diasporas established trade and settlements that stretched from the American continent to the Asian steppe 1. They exported ideas, technologies , language, beliefs and practices to these lands, developed new socio-political structures and assimilated cultural influences 2. To explore the genomic history of the Viking Age, we shotgun-sequenced DNA extracted from 442 human remains from archaeological sites dating from the Bronze Age (about 2400 bc) to the Early Modern period (about ad 1600) (Fig. 1, Extended Data Fig. 1). Although Viking Age Scandinavian populations shared a common cultural background, there was no common word for Scandinavian identity at this time 1. Rather than there being a single 'Viking world', a series of interlinked Viking worlds emerged from rapidly growing maritime exploration, trade, war and settlement, following the adoption https://doi.
Research Interests:
Oversigt over de arkæologiske udgravninger i ROMUs område i 2019.
Research Interests:
In the area around Roskilde Fjord on Zealand, 20 two-aisled house sites have so far been identified, which date from the Early Neolithic until the Early Bronze Age. On the basis of ceramic finds, the Early Neolithic houses can mainly be... more
In the area around Roskilde Fjord on Zealand,
20 two-aisled house sites have so far been identified, which
date from the Early Neolithic until the Early Bronze Age.
On the basis of ceramic finds, the Early Neolithic houses
can mainly be attributed to the Svaleklint phase, and consist
of buildings of around 15 m in length, with straight
or slightly rounded long and end walls. The houses from
the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age are mainly dated on
a typological basis, or by objects with a very broad date
range, and are buildings with rounded end walls and parallel
long walls, and measure 13‑20 m in length. The house
that was recently discovered at Vinge Station differs from
the other houses due to its length of 45.5 m and open ends.
Several houses have a characteristic roof-bearing module,
which indicates room division. A single hybrid type with
two- and three-aisled elements is also present. A noteworthy
site from this period involves a house located under a
plough-damaged burial mound.
20 two-aisled house sites have so far been identified, which
date from the Early Neolithic until the Early Bronze Age.
On the basis of ceramic finds, the Early Neolithic houses
can mainly be attributed to the Svaleklint phase, and consist
of buildings of around 15 m in length, with straight
or slightly rounded long and end walls. The houses from
the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age are mainly dated on
a typological basis, or by objects with a very broad date
range, and are buildings with rounded end walls and parallel
long walls, and measure 13‑20 m in length. The house
that was recently discovered at Vinge Station differs from
the other houses due to its length of 45.5 m and open ends.
Several houses have a characteristic roof-bearing module,
which indicates room division. A single hybrid type with
two- and three-aisled elements is also present. A noteworthy
site from this period involves a house located under a
plough-damaged burial mound.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
I det tidlige forår blev Rigsrevisionens undersøgelse af Kulturministeriets arkæologiske forvaltning offentliggjort. Undersøgelsen, der på en række punkter rejser en højlydt kritik af Slots- og Kulturstyrelsens arbejde, er imidlertid både... more
I det tidlige forår blev Rigsrevisionens undersøgelse af Kulturministeriets arkæologiske forvaltning offentliggjort. Undersøgelsen, der på en række punkter rejser en højlydt kritik af Slots- og Kulturstyrelsens arbejde, er imidlertid både upræcis på afgørende punkter og partisk i flere af sine konklusioner. Men mest problematisk er det, at undersøgelsen ikke formår at sætte ”den arkæologiske økonomi” ind i en større samfundsmæssig sammenhæng, og dens mangler kommer således til at overdøve dens mere berettigede kritikpunkter
Research Interests:
Det er efterhånden velkendt, at metaldetektoren og dens brugere høster store fortjenester i disse år, og der går næppe en uge, uden at et nyt spændende oldtidsfund bliver præsenteret. Detektoren er kilde til mange små nyheder, nogle gange... more
Det er efterhånden velkendt, at metaldetektoren og dens brugere høster store fortjenester i disse år, og der går næppe en uge, uden at et nyt spændende oldtidsfund bliver præsenteret. Detektoren er kilde til mange små nyheder, nogle gange rigtig gode nyheder – og af og til rene sensationer.
Research Interests:
Ved Stålmosegård i Vindinge blev i sommeren 2014 og foråret 2015 udgravet en yderst velbevaret bebyggelse fra sen førromersk jernalder-ældre romersk jernalder. Spredt over et areal på godt 9.500 m2 blev i alt 29 huskonstruktioner... more
Ved Stålmosegård i Vindinge blev i sommeren 2014 og foråret 2015 udgravet en yderst velbevaret bebyggelse fra sen førromersk jernalder-ældre romersk jernalder. Spredt over et areal på godt 9.500 m2 blev i alt 29 huskonstruktioner udgravet, hvoraf adskillige har været i flere faser. De mest velbevarede hustomter lå i et tykt, fundrigt kulturlag og havde bevarede stenlægninger, ildsteder og gulvlag – et ganske unikt syn på Sjælland. Nord for bebyggelsen registreredes et område med kogestensgruber, som nok har været knyttet til bebyggelsen. Ved udgravningen blev der desuden fundet en møntskat fra vikingetiden med godt 130 hele og ituklippede mønt-og sølvfragmenter.
Research Interests:
Et overmåde rigt fund fra vikingetiden blev gjort i 2015 af amatørarkæolog Søren Bagge, da han afsøgte en mark ved Lille Karleby i Hornsherred. Det er efterhånden velkendt, at metaldetektoren og dens brugere høster store fortjenester i... more
Et overmåde rigt fund fra vikingetiden blev gjort i 2015 af amatørarkæolog Søren Bagge, da han afsøgte en mark ved Lille Karleby i Hornsherred. Det er efterhånden velkendt, at metaldetektoren og dens brugere høster store fortjenester i disse år, og der går næppe en uge uden at et nyt spændende oldtidsfund bliver præsenteret. Skatten fra Lille Karleby overgår de fleste og fortjener en præsentation.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Due to the lack of tangible evidence, the exact shape of the sail in the Viking Age has traditionally been a matter of discussion. Two different points of view have characterised this research field: 1) The sail should be reconstructed on... more
Due to the lack of tangible evidence, the exact shape of the sail in the Viking Age has traditionally been a matter of discussion. Two different points of view have characterised this research field: 1) The sail should be reconstructed on the background of Viking Age ship iconography; 2) The reconstruction of sails should mainly be based on parallels from the 19th century traditional fishing vessels from Norway. This paper suggests that central elements in both of these views are too dogmatic and thus contra productive. If advances should be made within this field, it is crucial that two key issues are reconsidered: 1) The Viking Age ship renderings are not technical and measurable drawings, but are based on a fundamental realism, not to be gainsaid; 2) Not all types of Viking Age vessels were constructed to tack against the wind, and it is therefore important to distinguish between vessel types and the traditions they embody. This paper concludes that a stronger connection between contextual archaeology and ship reconstruction - between society and ship - is needed.
Research Interests:
Deep ploughing near Kilclief, County Down, near the site of an early monastery, disturbed a large quantity of buried stones. One of these displayed a Viking-type ship with a furled sail. Decorative artwork on the stone suggests an... more
Deep ploughing near Kilclief, County Down, near the site of an early monastery, disturbed a large quantity of buried stones. One of these displayed a Viking-type ship with a furled sail. Decorative artwork on the stone suggests an 11th-century date. The ship displays close similarities to Viking ship graffiti in Viking Dublin and in the Scandinavian homelands. This article describes the decorated stone and suggests that it represents an Irish ship constructed in the Viking style. Documentary sources indicate that ships were being granted by an Irish over-king to a local king of this area at this time.
Research Interests:
This paper presents a number of 14C-dated, prehistoric post-built houses found in the area around Roskilde Fjord, Zealand. The 14C dates extend from the Late Neolithic to the Late Viking Age. The main scope of the paper is to present the... more
This paper presents a number of 14C-dated, prehistoric post-built houses found in the area around Roskilde Fjord, Zealand. The 14C dates extend from the Late Neolithic to the Late Viking Age. The main scope of the paper is to present the ground plans and to discuss the validity of the 14C-dates obtained for the houses, thereby providing a framework for future studies of prehistoric settlements on Zealand. Though this paper is not intended to be a typological study, attention is drawn to a few characteristic house forms in the conclusion: Multiple post-hole structures – ”hay barracks” – evident in farm structure throughout the Bronze Age, fenced ”D-shaped” farms, which emerge in the first centuries AD, and the presence in the Viking Age of longhouses that deviate from the ”normal” east-west orientation.
Research Interests:
De hidtil to eneste danske bådfund fra bronzealderen, stammebådene fra Varpelev på Østsjælland og Vestersø i Vestjylland, detailfremlægges og diskuteres. Det sandsynliggøres, at begge både på forskellig vis har haft en tilknytning til det... more
De hidtil to eneste danske bådfund fra bronzealderen, stammebådene fra Varpelev på Østsjælland og Vestersø i Vestjylland, detailfremlægges og diskuteres. Det sandsynliggøres, at begge både på forskellig vis har haft en tilknytning til det lokalområde, hvori de er fundet. Gennem en sammenligning med samtidige fund af stammebåde fra Skandinavien, det Europæiske Kontinent samt de Britiske Øer, vises det, at de to danske fund først og fremmest knytter an til en vesteuropæisk formtradition. Et af denne traditions mest karakteristiske træk er tværgående ribber, udhugget i stammebådenes indre bund. Disse forekommer primært i perioden fra slutningen af det 3. årtusind f.v.t. til tidsregningens begyndelse, og optræder i vidt forskellige maritime topografier. Ribberne synes ikke at have en praktisk funktion, og det foreslås, at de skal opfattes som en skeuomorf – et lånetræk – fra samtidens plankebyggede både, der indtil videre kun kendes fra de Britiske Øer. Stammebådenes tilhuggede ydre, som står i kontrast til ældre fund, vurderes også som en skeuomorf fra planketeknologien. Perspektivet i dette må være, at man kan tale om en interregional maritim teknologi i Vesteuropa og Sydskandinavien i bronzealderen. Antageligt er dette produktet af langtrækkende og professionaliserede maritime netværk, som opbygges i senneolitikum og ældre bronzealder.
Research Interests: Maritime Archaeology, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, Skeuomorphism, Wetland Archaeology, and 11 moreAncient Shipwrecks, Logboats, Bronzealder, Dugout Canoes, Bronze Age Scandinavia, Navigation and boats in Protohistory, Maritime Technology, Ancient Boats, Trade Networks In the Middle and Late Bronze Age, Maritim arkæologi, and Stammebåde
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Maritime Archaeology, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, Skeuomorphism, Scandinavian Archaeology, and 9 moreEarly Iron Age, Logboats, Maritime Technology History, Bronze Age Scandinavia, Ancient Maritime History In Scandinavia, Ancient Boats, Dover Boat, Maritime networks, and Ferriby boats
Research Interests:
En ny bog fra Vikingeskibsmuseet fortæller om de udspændte småbåde fra jernalderen og vikingetiden. Der redegøres for det arkæologiske kildemateriale, og det eksperimentelarkæologiske arbejde med tre rekonstruktioner beskrives. For så... more
En ny bog fra Vikingeskibsmuseet fortæller om de udspændte småbåde fra jernalderen og vikingetiden. Der redegøres for det arkæologiske kildemateriale, og det eksperimentelarkæologiske arbejde med tre rekonstruktioner beskrives. For så vidt angår kildematerialet undlader bogen desværre at behandle nogle indlysende spørgsmål, og vi får derfor ikke en dybtgående diskussion af hvordan de særegne udspændte både kan – eller måske ikke kan – påvises i forhistorien. Derimod sætter bogens eksperimentelarkæologiske del nye, høje standarder for beskrivelserne og refleksionerne i de eksperimentelle processer omkring skibsrekonstruktioner.
Research Interests: Experimental Archaeology, Maritime Archaeology, Viking Age Archaeology, Iron Age (Archaeology), Traditional boatbuilding, and 10 moreLogboats, Shipbuilding, Dugout Canoes, Ancient Seafaring, Roman Iron Age, Boat grave, Ship Burial, Experimental Ship Archaeology, Expanded Logboats, and Small Traditional Wooden Boats
Review of Ole Crumlin-Pedersen's "Archaeology and the Sea in Scandinavia and Britain" (2010).
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Review of Rud Kjem's "Runamo. Skriften der kom og gik" (Højbjerg 2006)
Research Interests:
Review of Uta Halle's: "“Die Externsteine sind bis auf weiteres germanisch!" Prähistorische Archäologie im Dritten Reich." (2002).
Research Interests:
Review of Evert Baudou's "Den nordiska arkeologin – historie och tolkningar" (2004).
Research Interests:
Review of Bodil Petterson's: "Föreställningar om det förflutna. Arkeologi och rekonstruktion" (2003).
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
En analyse af vikingetidens skibsmotivers teknologiske vidnesbyrd viser, at de fleste motiver afbilder krigsskibe, udstyret med meget brede og lave råsejl. Dette står imidlertid i synlig kontrast til nutidens rekonstruktioner af... more
En analyse af vikingetidens skibsmotivers teknologiske vidnesbyrd viser, at de fleste motiver afbilder krigsskibe, udstyret med meget brede og lave råsejl. Dette står imidlertid i synlig kontrast til nutidens rekonstruktioner af vikingetidens krigsskibe, som er udstyret med en divergerende, højere råsejlstype, der i høj grad er inspireret af 1800-tallets nordlandsbåde. Hermed er et etnografisk referencemateriale kommet til at stå i centrum på bekostning af arkæologiske kilder.