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Kjetil Loftsgarden

Associate professor
Image of Kjetil Loftsgarden
Mobile phone +47 99020042
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Visiting address St. Olavs gate 29

My main area of expertise is the Late Iron Age – Early Middle Ages. My research focuses on iron and iron production, trade, meeting- and market places and networks, as well as the consequences of climatic and environmental changes in Iron Age Scandinavia and the effects on population numbers, settlement patterns, agricultural practices and social structures. I am a specialist in the use of large-scale archaeological data – to develop spatial and statistical analyses and models to broaden our understanding of the societal and socio-economic development.

I am the leader of the project ‘Eidsborg rock – production and trade of whetstone in the Viking Age’(2023-2027), funded by the Norwegian Research council (grant 341213). Where we will shift focus towards the regional production and domestic trade in whetstones in the late Iron Age (550–1050 CE).

I am also  part of the project ‘Volcanic Eruptions and their Impacts on Climate, Environment, and Viking Society in 500–1250 CE’ (VIKINGS) (grant 275191). Where my research focuses on the effects of climate variations on Scandinavian and Viking settlements 500-1250 CE. This includes the potential consequences for population numbers, settlement patterns, agricultural practices and social structures. VIKINGS is an interdisciplinary project and includes researchers from meteorology, volcanology, climate research, biology, and archeology. The project is led by Professor Kirstin Krüger (Dept. of Geosciences).

In my doctoral thesis (2017) I argue that the inland marketplaces, as hubs in stable economic networks, were integral to the increase and eventual mass production of iron in the Norwegian Viking and Middle Ages. My research has provided new understandings of how the inland resources were integrated in the domestic and international economy.

I have been an editorial member of the academic journal Viking (Chief editor 2019–2021), published by the Norwegian Archaeological Society (NAS). As well as part of the editorial board of the international book series, Viking Special Volumes (Chair 2021-2022).

Selection of peer-reviewed articles and book chapters 

Open access publications available at: https://uio.academia.edu/KjetilLoftsgarden

  • Loftsgarden, Kjetil and Frode Iversen. 2024. The impact of the 6th century crisis – exploring burials as a proxy for population dynamics in Iron Age Scandinavia. Norwegian Archaeological Review, pp. 1–21. doi: 10.1080/00293652.2024.2412018.
  • Arthur, Frank, Kailin Hatlestad, Karl-Johan Lindholm, Kjetil Loftsgarden, Daniel Löwenborg, Steinar Solheim, Didier M Roche and Hans Renssen 2024: The impact of volcanism on Scandinavian climate and human societies during the Holocene: Insights into the Fimbulwinter eruptions (536/540 AD). The Holocene, 0:0:09596836231225718.
  • Loftsgarden, K. 2023. Kinsarvik – byen som aldri blei. Viking. Vol. 87:61–78.
  • Loftsgarden, Kjetil 2023: Skeid – uncovering a fleeting meeting site. In: Laurine Albris (ed.): Placing place names in Norwegian archaeology – Current discussions and future perspectives. UBAS International – University of Bergen Archaeological Series, vol. 14, page 99–116. University of Bergen. Bergen.
  • Loftsgarden, K. and S, Solheim. 2023. Uncovering population dynamics in southeast Norway from 1300 BC to 1500 AD using summed radiocarbon probability distributions. In: Ødegaard, M and I. Ystgaard (ed.) Complexity and dynamics: Settlement and landscape from the Iron Age and Medieval period in the Nordic Countries. Sidestone press, Leiden.
  • Loftsgarden, K. and S, Solheim. 2023. Uncovering population dynamics in southeast Norway from 1300 BC to 1500 AD using summed radiocarbon probability distributions. In: Ødegaard, M and I. Ystgaard (ed.) Complexity and dynamics: Settlement and landscape from the Iron Age and Medieval period in the Nordic Countries. Sidestone press, Leiden.
  • Van Dijk, Evelien; Mørkestøl Gundersen, Ingar; de Bode, Anna; Høeg, Helge; Loftsgarden, Kjetil; Iversen, Frode; Timmreck, Claudia; Jungclaus, Johann & Krüger, Kirstin 2023. Climate and society impacts in Scandinavia following the 536/540 CE volcanic double event. Climates of the Past. ISSN 1814-9324. doi: 10.5194/cp-2022-23. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
  • Loftsgarden, K. and O. Loftsgarden. 2022. Jernvinnebygdene Rauland og Møsstrond. In: Loftsgarden, K. and D. Rorgemoen (ed.) Eidsborgseminaret 2021.  Eidsborgbryne som inngang til regional historie vikingtid og tidleg mellomalder. Vikingvegen Vestfold og Telemark 1 Museumsforlaget, Trondheim.
  • Mjærum, A., Loftsgarden, K. and S. Solheim 2022. Human-vegetation dynamics in Holocene south-eastern Norway based on radiocarbon dated charcoal from archaeological excavations. The Holocene. ISSN 0959-6836. April 2022. doi: 10.1177/09596836221088242. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
  • Bajard, M., E. Ballo, H. I. Høeg, J. Bakke, E. Støren, K. Loftsgarden, F. Iversen, W. Hagopian, A. H. Jahren, H. H. Svensen and K. Krüger 2022: Climate adaptation of pre-Viking societies. Quaternary Science Reviews, 278:107374. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
  • Loftsgarden, K. 2021. Seasonal settlements and the production of iron in the Norwegian mountains. In Dixon, P. and C. Theune (eds.).  Seasonal settlement in the medieval and early modern countryside. Ruralia, vol. XIII. Sidestone press, Leiden.
  • ter Schure, A.T.M., Bajard, M.b, Loftsgarden, K., Høeg, H.I., Ballo, E.b, , Bakke, J., Støren, E., Iversen, F., Kool, A., Brysting, A.K., Krüger, K., and S. Boessenkool. 2021. Anthropogenic and environmental drivers of biological change in southeastern Norway during the Holocene. Quaternary Science Reviews 270: 107175 Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
  • Lindholm, K., Ersmark, E., Hennius, A., Lindgren, S., Loftsgarden, K., & Svensson, E. 2021. Contesting Marginality: The Boreal Forest of Middle Scandinavia and the Worlds Outside. The Medieval Globe 7(1), 9-34. https://www.muse.jhu.edu/article/805468.
  • Loftsgarden, K. 2020. Mass production and mountain marketplaces in Norway in the Viking and Middle Ages. Medieval Archaeology. Vol. 64, no. 1
  • Loftsgarden, K. 2019. Ferd og frakt over fjell og vidde. Primitive tider Vol. 21, p. 7–23.
  • Loftsgarden, K. 2019. The prime movers of iron production in the Norwegian Viking and Middle Ages. Fornvännen - Journal of Swedish Antiquarian Research 2019/2, p. 75–87
  • Loftsgarden, K. 2018. Salt – ressurs og handelsvare i middelalderen. Heimen.  Vol. 55, no. 1-2018, p. 49–60
  • Loftsgarden, K., M. Ramstad and F-A. Stylegar. 2017. Skeid and stevne – assemblies in the Norwegian ‘Mountain–land’‘. In Glørstad, Z. T. and Loftsgarden, K. (ed.) Viking-Age Transformations: Trade, Craft and Resources in western Scandinavia. Routledge publishing. p. 232–249.
  • Tveiten, O. and K. Loftsgarden. 2017. The extensive iron production in Norway in the 10th –13th century – a regional perspective. In Glørstad, Z. T. and Loftsgarden, K. (ed.) Viking-Age Transformations: Trade, Craft and Resources in western Scandinavia. Routledge publishing, p. 111–123.

Books / edited anthologies

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Major Collaborations

  • ‘Gardening the Globe: Historicizing the Anthropocene through the production of socio-nature in Scandinavia, 1750-2020’ (grant 324690), funded by The Research Council of Norway. Member of the international advisory board
  • ‘Viking Nativity – Gjellestad across borders’. Research project funded by The Research Council of Norway. Project member.
  • Rediscovery of medicinal plant usage in the “Age of Exploration”: From cultural historical heritage to innovative pharmaceuticals (REA:Life) – WP2 Tracing the ingredients: medicinal plants in monastic and hospital gardens
    • Co-supervisor for PhD-candidate Rebecca Blakeney
  • VIKINGS – Volcanic Eruptions and their Impacts on Climate, Environment, and Viking Society in 500-1250 CE. (2018–2023). NFR TOPPFORSK funded interdisciplinary research project (grant 275191), with Kirstin Krüger (leader), UiO, Frode Iversen, UiO, Anne Hope Jahren, CEED, UiO, Henrik Svensen, CEED, UiO and Jostein Bakke, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, UiB.
  • Metallurgical analysis, iron production and processing – Merovingian and Viking Age. With Per Ditlef Fredriksen, UiO and Shadreck Chirikure, University of Oxford
  • The beginning of iron production in Scandinavia. With Bernt Rundberget, NTNU, Jan Henning Larsen, UiO and Peter Hambro Mikkelsen, University of Aarhus
  • Contesting Marginality: The Boreal Forest of Inland Scandinavia and the Worlds Outside, AD – 1500 AD. With Karl-Johan Lindholm, Uppsala University, Eva Svensson, University of Karlstad, Andreas Hennius, Uppsala University and Erik Ersmark, Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stokcholm
  • Vikingtid og middelalder i Numedal. With Margrete Figenschou Simonsen, Hanne Lovise Aannestad, Marianne Vedeler, Svein H. Gullbekk and Kathrine Stene, Museum of Cultural History, UiO

Publications

  • Loftsgarden, Kjetil & Pilø, Lars Holger (2026). Valdresjern – overskotsproduksjon og handel i vikingtid og mellomalder. In Bråten, Ole Aastad & Kjær, Thomas (Ed.), Valdres i eldre tid: Jern, kyrkje og makt. Museumsforlaget AS. ISSN 9788283051902. p. 113–130. Full text in Research Archive
  • Loftsgarden, Kjetil; Mjærum, Axel & Østmo, Mari Arentz (2026). Satsingsområde for agrarbosetningene: økonomisk organisering. In Mjærum, Axel; Gjerpe, Lars Erik & Eriksen, Marianne Hem (Ed.), Hus og gård gjennom fire tusen år. Faglig program for undersøkelser av bosetnings- og landbruksspor fra senneolitikum til middelalder ved Kulturhistorisk museum. Cappelen Damm Forskning/NOASP. ISSN 9788202632243. p. 207–225. Full text in Research Archive
  • Østmo, Mari Arentz; Loftsgarden, Kjetil & Mjærum, Axel (2026). PRODUKSJON, HÅNDVERK OG FOREDLING – KUNNSKAPSSTATUS OG POTENSIAL. In Mjærum, Axel; Gjerpe, Lars Erik & Eriksen, Marianne Hem (Ed.), Hus og gård gjennom fire tusen år. Faglig program for undersøkelser av bosetnings- og landbruksspor fra senneolitikum til middelalder ved Kulturhistorisk museum. Cappelen Damm Forskning/NOASP. ISSN 9788202632243. p. 183–204. Full text in Research Archive
  • Østmo, Mari Arentz; Bukkemoen, Grethe Bjørkan; Eriksen, Marianne Hem & Loftsgarden, Kjetil (2026). Satningsområde for agrarbosetningene: hushold og sosial organisasjon. In Mjærum, Axel; Gjerpe, Lars Erik & Eriksen, Marianne Hem (Ed.), Hus og gård gjennom fire tusen år. Faglig program for undersøkelser av bosetnings- og landbruksspor fra senneolitikum til middelalder ved Kulturhistorisk museum. Cappelen Damm Forskning/NOASP. ISSN 9788202632243. p. 227–253. Full text in Research Archive
  • Bukkemoen, Grethe Bjørkan; Rødsrud, Christian Løchsen; Loftsgarden, Kjetil; Solheim, Steinar; Mjærum, Axel & Gjerpe, Lars Erik (2026). Registrering og utgravning av agrarbosetninger - kunnskapsstatus og potensial. In Mjærum, Axel; Gjerpe, Lars Erik & Eriksen, Marianne Hem (Ed.), Hus og gård gjennom fire tusen år. Faglig program for undersøkelser av bosetnings- og landbruksspor fra senneolitikum til middelalder ved Kulturhistorisk museum. Cappelen Damm Forskning/NOASP. ISSN 9788202632243. p. 67–105. Full text in Research Archive
  • Veseth, Frøydis E.; Loftsgarden, Kjetil; Jouttijärvi, Arne & Mjærum, Axel (2026). Intermediaries and Profiteers: The Role of Middlemen in the Iron Trade in Early Medieval Norway. Norwegian Archaeological Review. ISSN 0029-3652. doi: 10.1080/00293652.2026.2662233. Full text in Research Archive
  • Loftsgarden, Kjetil; Larsen, Jan Henning & Rundberget, Bernt Håkon (2025). Den tidligste jernfremstillingen i Norge. Viking - Norsk arkeologisk årbok. ISSN 0332-608X. 90, p. 85–112. doi: 10.5617/viking.12719. Full text in Research Archive
  • Loftsgarden, Kjetil & Ødegaard, Marie (2025). Mountain markets in medieval Norway : Rural trade and its socioeconomic significance. In Ødegaard, Marie; Loftsgarden, Kjetil & Theune, Claudia (Ed.), Farmers' trade and markets. Social and economic interaction in the medieval and early modern European countryside. Sidestone Press. ISSN 9789464271331. p. 225–237. Full text in Research Archive

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  • Gullbekk, Svein Harald & Loftsgarden, Kjetil (2026). Mørstad-skatten. Store Norske Leksikon (snl.no). doi: https:/snl.no/M%C3%B8rstad-skatten. Full text in Research Archive
  • Loftsgarden, Kjetil; Mjærum, Axel & Versto, Ånond (2025). Utmarksriket – Telemark i perioden 400–1400. Dreyer Forlag A/S. ISBN 9788282658041. 189 p. Full text in Research Archive
  • Ødegaard, Marie; Loftsgarden, Kjetil & Theune, Claudia (2025). Farmers' trade and markets. Social and economic interaction in the medieval and early modern European countryside. Sidestone Press. ISBN 9789464271331. 375 p. doi: https:/www.sidestone.com/books/farmers-trade-and-markets. Full text in Research Archive

View all works in NVA

View all works in NVA

Published Feb. 18, 2020 10:20 AM - Last modified Aug. 3, 2026 1:43 PM