Museum of Cultural History
The Museum of Cultural History conducts research at a high international level and is Norway's leading research museum in the field of cultural history.
News
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The Roman Origins of the Viking Age Feb. 25, 2025 10:53 AM
The earliest Scandinavian kingdoms emerged in the late 5th century, inspired by the Roman polity type. The reasons why this happened, and why these developments played a significant role in the rise of the Viking Age three centuries later, are explored by Professor Dagfinn Skre in his new book: The Northern Routes to Kingship: A History of Scandinavia AD 180–550.
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Is this the Oldest Royal Seat in the Nordic Countries? Jan. 28, 2025 1:49 PM
The discovery of a remarkably large house from the 3rd century has captured the attention of archaeologists: Could a kingdom have existed in Norway during the Roman period?
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Roofing completed at the Museum of the Viking Age Dec. 12, 2024 9:52 AM
This week, another milestone was reached for the Museum of the Viking Age with the roof installation completed on the new museum building.
Events
Ethnographies of indigenous uses of digital platforms involves challenges of anonymity, in what can be a violent and charged political situation. This is how artistic approaches may help.
Objects of Understanding, co-authored by Roland Wittje and Peter Heering, explores the rich history of scientific instruments and educational artefacts from the 18th to 21st centuries, shedding light on their role in shaping scientific knowledge and practices. In this talk, Wittje will present the book and discuss the necessity of studying teaching collections at the University of Oslo to understand their origins, usage, and evolution within broader historical and geographical contexts.
Exploring materiality and performance in ritual practice, this paper aims to convey the way text, but also things, are embedded in modes of signification. In contexts characterized by an entanglement of text, objects, and bodily practices, the written is inscribed in practice and form – its’ semantics trusted.
Collections
The Museum of Cultural History has over three million objects in its collections. We have archeological objects from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages. The collections of coins and ethnographic objects show the world's cultural diversity.
Research
The Museum of Cultural History conducts research at a high international level. Interdisciplinary research groups work with topics within the museum's focus areas, and are part of international networks.
Archaeological excavations
The Museum of Cultural History conducts archaeological excavations in the south and east of Norway. The museum is a professional advisor for the National Heritage Board, county municipalities and other bodies within cultural heritage protection.
Our museums
At the Historical Museum, you can see selected objects from Norway's largest cultural history collections and learn more about Norway's history and the world's cultural diversity.
The museum has the best preserved Viking ships in the world. Here you can learn more about the Vikings and how made their mark on the world. The new world-leading Museum of the Viking Age opens in 2027.
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest university and has played a pivotal historical role. The Museum of University History reflects the historical diversity and connects it to our present and future.
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Our research
Subunits
The Historical Museum, the Museum of the Viking Age and the Museum of University and Science History are organized under the Museum of Cultural History.