Marte Spangen

• Spangen, Marte (2026). Metal Detecting and Post-Medieval Archaeology. In Lipkin, Sanna & Kallio-Seppä, Titta (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Post-Medieval Archaeology in the Nordic Countries. Oxford University Press. ISSN 9780197756690. p. 95–112. doi: 10.1093/9780197756690.003.0050. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This chapter explores frameworks, benefits, and challenges of private metal detecting in Norway as compared to the other Nordic countries and the consequences of the differences between the countries for research on post-medieval archaeology across national borders. Where allowed, private metal detecting has produced a unique archaeological material from older periods, and it could demonstrably do so for Post-Medieval periods too. However, combinations of legal regulations for post-medieval finds and metal detecting leave this potential largely untapped. Differences in legislation between the Nordic countries also make cross-national comparisons and research on post-medieval topics challenging. A pending law proposal in Norway includes suggestions that could increase the collecting of post-medieval archaeological material and/or regulate private metal detecting more strictly. Both options and how they are combined will strongly affect metal detecting and post-medieval archaeology in Norway in the years to come—and consequently any comparative post-medieval research in the Nordic countries.

• Spangen, Marte (2026). Meetings in Varanger. On transcultural exchange in medieval and early modern northern Fennoscandia. In Ljungqvist, Fredrik Charpentier; Lund, Olov; Myrdal, Janken & Retsö, Dag (Ed.), Medieval Scandinavia. Contributions to Social and Economic History. Nordic Academic Press. ISSN 9789189936423. p. 219–261. doi: https:/nordicacademicpress.se/product/medieval-scandinavia/. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Medieval Scandinavia presents ten groundbreaking thematic studies of various aspects of the social and economic history of the three medieval Scandinavian kingdoms, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The contributing archaeologists and historians present a wealth of findings. With new information prompted by methodological advances they give us fresh perspectives on population estimates, coinage, trade and travelling, and building activities reflecting economic and social well-being. There are novel insights into complex topics such as gender dynamics, work and wage structures, and the importance of Saami networks. The Scandinavian countries are studied individually and together as an entity in a European context. The volume is a contribution to scholarly studies, but at the same time makes fascinating reading for anyone with an interest in medieval history, with facts ranging from the impact of plagues to vernacular architecture.

• Spangen, Marte (2026). Rebaking the Case for Participatory Archaeology as Cognitive Heritage Preparedness. Current Swedish Archaeology. ISSN 1102-7355. 33(1), p. 143–149. doi: 10.37718/CSA.2025.10. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2026). Participatory Archaeology for Heritage Preparedness. Addressing the Wicked Problem of Anti- Democratic Discourse. Current Swedish Archaeology. ISSN 1102-7355. 33(1), p. 85–113. doi: 10.37718/CSA.2025.04. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In an era of rising authoritarian and anti-democratic movements globally, participatory archaeology needs to move beyond self-congratulatory ideas about its inherent goodness and take seriously archaeologists’ potential role as social and political mediators in a complex democratic discourse. The challenge lies in resisting both external and internal pressure on democratic discourse, while maintaining an inclusive, democratic and multivocal debate about heritage, identity and belonging. Drawing on experiences from Indigenous and particularly Saami archaeology, participatory archaeology in Scandinavia can become more self-reflexive and purposeful. Our subject’s strength is that it provides specified and tangible topics and arenas for democratic discourse, building social cohesion by discussing and tolerating diverse perspectives. The aim should not be consensus about heritage and the past but dissensus and communities of disagreement. Such an approach contributes to a cognitive heritage preparedness that transgresses the preservation of predefined physical heritage values, constituting a ‘small win’ to the ‘wicked problem’ of sustaining open, accountable and transparent discussions in the face of totalitarian narratives and aggressive “alternative facts”.

• Spangen, Marte (2025). Types Between Perception and Materiality. Norwegian Archaeological Review. ISSN 0029-3652. 58(2), p. 226–230. doi: 10.1080/00293652.2025.2581089. Full text in Research Archive
• Solheim, Steinar; Roalkvam, Isak; Ødegaard, Marie Kjærnet; Loftsgarden, Kjetil; Damlien, Hege & Nielsen, Svein Vatsvåg [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2025). Assessing the Development in Open Access Publishing in Archaeology: A Case Study from Norway. Open Archaeology. 11(1). doi: 10.1515/opar-2025-0044. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This article examines open access (OA) publishing within archaeology by using Norway as a case study. The authors present data on research publications (n = 1,517) produced by archaeologists at Norwegian universities between 2010 and 2021 and classified according to their OA status. The aim is to analyze trends in OA publishing during this period and assess how it aligns with official policies and initiatives from lawmakers, funders, and institutions. The findings indicate a growing proportion of OA publications, with scientific journals emerging as the primary publishing platform during the period. The archaeological publications are also compared with other academic sectors, and the study reveals that the field of archaeology is progressing toward OA at a fast rate compared to the broader humanities sector but slower compared to other academic sectors. The authors suggest that the increasing prevalence of OA publications can primarily be attributed to national and institutional guidelines, rather than changes in researcher behavior, although this works in tandem.

• Spangen, Marte (2025). Dissolving Dichotomies. On the Necessity of Integrating Saami, Nordic, and Feminist Gender Archaeology. In Pedersen, Unn; Moen, Marianne & Skogstrand, Lisbeth (Ed.), Gendering the Nordic Past : Dialogues between Perspectives. Brepols. ISSN 9782503608877. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte & Henriksen, Jørn Erik (2024). The Ervika Runestone and Other Evidence for the Early Christianization of Northern Norway. Viking and Medieval Scandinavia. ISSN 1782-7183. 19, p. 187–224. doi: 10.1484/J.VMS.5.135581. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In the early 1980s, a runestone fragment with a Christian inscription from the early eleventh century was discovered in Harstad town, northern Norway, in excavated masses originating from the farm Ervika. Runestones are very rare archaeological finds in this region, but, despite being included in runological overviews, the Ervika stone has not been studied or published by archaeologists or historians. This reflects a tendency where evidence of early medieval Christian influences and the Christianization processes in northern Norway have been surprisingly little discussed apart from general overviews and some local studies of specific find categories. In this article, we aim to initiate a broader debate about the complexities of the Christianization processes in northern Norway by presenting and evaluating relevant finds. This includes the material that has emerged over the last decade due to increased interest in private metal detecting. We emphasize the particularities of the geopolitical and sociocultural context in the north, where impulses from the Eastern Church and Saami culture and religion may have affected the reception and practice of the new religion. The Ervika runestone fragment serves as a point of departure, and we describe the find and its context in some detail to ensure it is included in future research by runologists, archaeologists, and historians.

• Spangen, Marte; Salmi, Anna-Kaisa; Äikäs, Tiina & Fjellström, Markus (2023). Bear bones at Saami offering sites. In Grimm, Oliver (Eds.), Bear and Human: Facets of a Multi-Layered Relationship From Past to Recent Times with an Emphasis on Northern Europe. Brepols. ISSN 9782503606118. doi: 10.1484/M.TANE-EB.5.134351. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Saami traditions related to bear hunting and bear burials are quite well known, both from written and archaeological sources. However, the Saami also included bears in their repeated rituals at offering sites, which has been less explored. In this article, we present the archaeological sources for this offering tradition. Further, we discuss the chronology and geography as well as the content and context of such archaeological finds. As with bear burials, the deposition of bear bones at offering sites has not been a uniform tradition in all Saami communities, which gives an interesting insight into how rituals can both bind a community together and create boundaries with other groups.

• Spangen, Marte & Kleppe, Jan Ingolf (2023). Jakten på Varangermarkedet – søk etter flerkulturelle møter i et samisk landskap. Primitive tider. ISSN 1501-0430. 25, p. 31–52. doi: 10.5617/pt.10825. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Den 6. mars 1530 skriver Hans Eriksson brev til erkebiskop Engelbrektson for å rapportere at han reiste fra «Slotthet» ni dager etter jul for å handle med russerne. Russerne møtte imidlertid ikke opp fordi de hadde blitt innkalt til «kungen af Rysseland». Eriksson forteller dessuten at det hadde brutt ut strid mellom de kristne og de hedenske karelerne, slik at disse gruppene heller ikke var representert på handelsmøtet. Kvenene derimot kom som vanlig og hadde med seg 300 rein, og han handlet med dem slik de pleide å gjøre (DN VIII, 623).1 Historiker Lars Ivar Hansen mener Eriksson var fogd på Vardøhus. Eriksson rapporterte til Engelbrektson fordi erkebiskopen også var lensherre for Vardøhus len, som geografsk tilsvarte dagens Finnmark. Brevet fra Eriksson har blitt tolket som den tidligste skriftlige beskrivelsen av det som senere kalles Varangermarkedet (Hansen 1990a:140). Erikssons kommentar om at de handlet som de pleide, viser at dette handelsmøtet mellom svenske, norske, russiske, karelske og samiske grupper gikk lenger tilbake i tid enn 1530, men hvor langt tilbake kan ikke avgjøres utfra denne kilden. Den sier heller ikke noe om nøyaktig hvor møtet fant sted.

• Spangen, Marte & Äikäs, Tiina (2020). Sacred Nature. Diverging Use and Understanding of Old Sámi Offering Sites in Alta, Northern Norway. In Fonneland, Trude & Äikäs, Tiina (Ed.), Sámi Religion: Religious Identities, Practices, and Dynamics. MDPI. ISSN 9783039437276. p. 121–142. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This study focuses on the contemporary use of two well-known Sámi offering sites in Alta, Finnmark, Norway. Today, these are hiking destinations and sightseeing points for both the Sámi and the non-Sámi local population, as well as a few non-local visitors. Many of these visitors leave objects at the sites, such as parts of recently slaughtered reindeer, clothing, coins, toys, sweet wrappers and toilet paper. This indicates that visitors have different levels of knowledge about and reverence for the traditional significance of these places. Through repeated surveys over several years, we also observed a certain development and change in the number and character of these depositions, as well as a variation in depositions between different sites. A series of interviews with various users and key stakeholders were performed to clarify the reasons for these changing practices, as well as what individuals and groups visit these sites, their motivation for doing so and for leaving specific objects, and what potential conflict of interest there is between different users. Furthermore, we surveyed what information has been available to the public about these sites and their significance in Sámi religion and cultural history over time. The results show that a diverse group of individuals visit the sites for a variety of reasons, and that there are contrasting views on their use, even among different Sámi stakeholders. While it is difficult to limit the knowledge and use of these places because they are already well known, more information about old Sámi ritual practices and appropriate behaviour at such sites may mediate latent conflicts and promote a better understanding of the importance of offering sites in both past and present Sámi societies.

• Spangen, Marte & Äikäs, Tiina (2020). Sacred Nature. Diverging Use and Understanding of Old Sámi Offering Sites in Alta, Northern Norway. Religions. doi: 10.3390/rel11070317. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract: This study focuses on the contemporary use of two well-known Sámi offering sites in Alta, Finnmark, Norway. Today, these are hiking destinations and sightseeing points for both the Sámi and the non-Sámi local population, as well as a few non-local visitors. Many of these visitors leave objects at the sites, such as parts of recently slaughtered reindeer, clothing, coins, toys, sweet wrappers and toilet paper. This indicates that visitors have different levels of knowledge about and reverence for the traditional significance of these places. Through repeated surveys over several years, we also observed a certain development and change in the number and character of these depositions, as well as a variation in depositions between different sites. A series of interviews with various users and key stakeholders were performed to clarify the reasons for these changing practices, as well as what individuals and groups visit these sites, their motivation for doing so and for leaving specific objects, and what potential conflict of interest there is between different users. Furthermore, we surveyed what information has been available to the public about these sites and their significance in Sámi religion and cultural history over time. The results show that a diverse group of individuals visit the sites for a variety of reasons, and that there are contrasting views on their use, even among different Sámi stakeholders. While it is diffcult to limit the knowledge and use of these places because they are already well known, more information about old Sámi ritual practices and appropriate behaviour at such sites may mediate latent conflicts and promote a better understanding of the importance of offering sites in both past and present Sámi societies.

• Spangen, Marte & Arntzen, Johan Eilertsen (2020). Sticky structures and opportunistic builders - The construction and social role of longhouses in northern Norway. In Hillerdal, Charlotta & Ilves, Kristin (Ed.), Re-imagining Periphery: Archaeology and Text in Northern Europe from Iron Age to Viking and Early Medieval Periods. Oxbow Books. ISSN 9781789254501. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The longhouse has been a turning point for research on prehistoric farming societies in Scandinavia for several decades. Yet, no comprehensive study has been made of this house type and its context, variations and social implications in the Far North. In this chapter, we present the currently available longhouse material within the three northernmost counties of Norway. The 50 longhouses that have been excavated within the administrative district of Tromsø University Museum are discussed in more detail. Our survey shows both similarities to and some intriguing variations from the longhouses in other areas of Norway and the rest of Scandinavia, concerning the chronology of various house types, building details and farm layout. All these aspects are obviously related to the particularities of the environmental, cultural and sociopolitical context in the north. However, the results are preliminary, as more thorough studies are needed, as well as more excavations employing current methodologies such as mechanical topsoil stripping, to ensure representative data.

• Spangen, Marte (2020). Sámi Myths and Medieval Heritage. In Figenschow, Stefan; Holt, Richard & Tveit, Miriam Jensen (Ed.), Myths and Magic in the Medieval Far North. Realities and Representations of a Region on the Edge of Europe. Brepols. ISSN 9782503588230. p. 119–142. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Sámi landscapes are pluralistic and contain traces of a variety of activities occurring in the past and present. This includes remains of medieval houses and hunting installations that are different from the ones used in later Sámi contexts. The Sámi have created their own interpretations of these enigmatic features in the landscape, relating, for instance, so-called ‘Stállo’ house grounds, reindeer pitfall traps, and ‘circular offering sites’ to widespread and recurring motives in Sámi mythology, like the troll-like Stállo, the belligerent Čud people, and the importance of religious rituals. The three case studies in this article highlight elements of the associated myths that indicate a medieval origin, while questioning to what extent the myths can be employed in interpretations of medieval archaeological remains, and to what extent they reflect later socio-cultural conditions and the Sámi conceptions of themselves and the world. As the chosen narratives potentially reflect internal ‘central myths’ about the Sámi role and identity in the Middle Ages and today rather than historical situations and events, such an exploration may shed new light on both the myths and their medieval and later contexts.

• Spangen, Marte; Salmi, Anna-Kaisa; Äikäs, Tiina & Fjellström, Markus (2020). Introduction: Currents of Saami pasts. In Spangen, Marte; Salmi, Anna-Kaisa; Äikäs, Tiina & Fjellström, Markus (Ed.), Currents of Saami pasts. Recent advances in Saami archaeology. The Archaeological society of Finland. ISSN 9789526845371. p. 2–15. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  A scientific field is a constant process, and, as all processes, it is defined by dialectics, since standpoints are only defined in opposition to something else. Saami archaeology is no exception, and this field emerged precisely because of oppositions, when political conflicts enforced the realization of a lack of consideration of the Saami presence in the prevailing understanding of the past in northern Fennoscandia. Furthermore, the opposition to Saami archaeology and the identification of cultural heritage as specifically Saami has no doubt continued to shape the research within this field. Yet the field is neither ultimately defined by this genesis nor maintained without constant discussion and internal and external repositioning.

• Salmi, Anna-Kaisa; Fjellström, Markus; Äikäs, Tiina; Spangen, Marte; Nunez, Milton & Lidén, Kerstin (2019). Zooarchaeological and stable isotope evidence of Sámi reindeer offerings. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. ISSN 2352-409X. 29, p. 1–17. doi: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2019.102129. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This paper presents new osteometric and stable isotope evidence of Sámi reindeer offerings. Previous archaeological studies have shown that reindeer domestication and intensification of reindeer herding transformed Sámi indigenous religion. However, because of the methodological challenges in the identification of wild and domesticated reindeer in the archaeological record, the exact nature of the relationship between people and offered reindeer has remained elusive. To address this problem, we analyze zooarchaeological and stable isotope data from thirteen Sámi offering sites situated in Finland and Sweden and dating to c. 1200–1700 CE. We employ zooarchaeological analysis of age, sex and size and explore the possibilities of these analyses to identify domestication and other characteristics of reindeer selected for offering. Analyses of stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur are utilized to identify human influence on reindeer feeding patterns and mobility. Our results show that many kinds of reindeer with different engagements with people were offered. The results confirm that people had different motives for giving offerings and that a simple dichotomy of wild/domesticated does not adequately reflect the range of relationships the Sámi had with reindeer.

• Spangen, Marte (2019). Historisk arkeologi i Norge – en metadebatt. META - Historiskarkeologisk tidskrift. ISSN 2002-0406. p. 57–78. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In 1992, the constitution and future of Norwegian medieval and historical archaeology was debated in META. The discussion concerned the definition “historical archaeology” itself, and the potential need for this subfield to be established as a discipline in its own right. The aim was to strengthen a weak academic framework for this branch of archaeology. In the end, such a separate discipline was never established, and unlike in Denmark and Sweden, no university has a particular responsibility for teaching this subject. Together with a fragmented legal framework and cultural heritage administration for medieval and historical archaeology, this has led to a somewhat unclear definition and significance of historical archaeology in Norway today. The topic is taught in archaeology departments all over the country, and a relatively large number of archaeologists focus their research on historical time periods. However, there is great variation in the research methods and topics pursued, and relatively little focus on specialist approaches such as the use of primary historical sources. Increased specialisation of this sort may require improved inter-institutional coordination of university courses, as well as frameworks for continuous multidisciplinary research cooperation. It remains to be seen if imminent changes in the cultural heritage regulations, following a reform of the regional county administrations, will affect the future development of historical archaeology in Norway.

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• Spangen, Marte; Salmi, Anna-Kaisa; Äikäs, Tiina & Fjellström, Markus (2020). Currents of Saami pasts. Recent advances in Saami archaeology. The Archaeological society of Finland. ISBN 9789526845371. 188 p. Full text in Research Archive

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• Tapio, Hans-Petter & Spangen, Marte (2026). Trefigurene som utfordrer historien. [Journal]. Ságat. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2026). Participatory archaeology for heritage preparedness: the wicked problem of anti-democratic discourse. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte; Wang, Tone & Løken, Marianne (2026). SAMMEN FF: A museum network collaboration to democratise cultural heritage through citizen science. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  SAMMEN FF is a national network initiative for Norwegian cultural history museums focused on strengthening citizen science, collaborative practices and public engagement. Norwegian museums have a longstanding tradition of working closely with volunteers and local communities, and the network aims to raise awareness of such existing citizen science practices and foster self-reflexiveness, theoretical and methodological knowledge and innovation in participatory research. Launched in 2024 by the Museum of Cultural History (University of Oslo), Østfoldmuseene, and Stiftelsen Norsk Folkemuseum, with funding from the Research Council of Norway, the SAMMEN FF network explores how museums with regional and national responsibilities can employ citizen science to foster local ownership to and relevance in museum knowledge production. Practical efforts to this end include collaborations with Saami organisations in Oslo, avocational metal detectorists, coastal heritage associations and participants in a national food memory collection. In the years to come, we wish to expand the established platform for professional dialogue and development beyond national borders. The present paper aims to initiate such a discussion about how citizen science complements or challenges conventional research methodologies in cultural history museums and heritage institutions in the Norwegian context and beyond.

• Spangen, Marte (2026). Kvinne, same, sjaman? Et kritisk perspektiv på arkeologiske tolkninger av samisk drakt i fortiden. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Arkeologiske gravfunn gir viktige innganger til å forstå fortidens identiteter, inkludert kjønn og etnisitet, også i samiske kontekster. Samtidig er tolkningen av klær, draktfragmenter og gravgaver metodisk krevende, ettersom slike uttrykk betyr ulike ting i forskjellige situasjoner. For å identifisere hva som er uvanlig i samisk materiale, må man først vite hva som var vanlig – en kunnskap som fortsatt er fragmentarisk for både klesdrakt og gravskikk. Foredraget presenterer og diskuterer tre sentrale gravfunn fra Storslett, Vivallen og Skjoldehamn, og viser hvorfor tidligere tolkninger av de gravlagtes kjønn, etnisitet og mulige roller som noaider eller sjamaner er problematiske. Foredraget argumenterer for behovet for mer systematisk forskning på samisk klesdrakt over tid og regioner, samt for analyser som anerkjenner fortidens mennesker som bærere av sammensatte, interseksjonelle identiteter. Dette er avgjørende for mer presise arkeologiske tolkninger og for en dypere forståelse av mangfold i både fortid og nåtid.

• Spangen, Marte & Fredheim, Harald (2025). Participatory approaches in archaeology and museums 20 years on from the Faro convention’s article 12. doi: https:/www.e-a-a.org/EAA2025/EAA2025/Programme_tabs/Scientific_Programme.aspx. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2025). Participatory (Saami) archaeology for heritage preparedness: the wicked problem of anti-democratic discourse. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2025). Nissun, sábme, noajdde? Sjiervij birra hávdijn ja arkeologijjalasj tjielggidusá gárvojs ja identitiehtajs sáme aktijvuodan. Bårjås. ISSN 1502-0002. 2025, p. 41–52. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Arkeologijjalasj gávnadisá hávdijn máhtti vaddet dádjadusáv åvdep ájgij identitiehtajs, sjiervijs ja etnisitiehtajs, sáme aktijvuodajn aj. Valla tjielggit gáptijt ja dávverijt hávdijn le gássjel, dajna gå da sæmmi elementa máhtti vuosedit ja tjielggit moatteláhkáj duon dán kontevstan. Jus galga diehtet mij ij la dábálasj ja mij la sierralágásj, de viertti diehtet mij lij dábálasj. Gássjelisvuohta sáme aktijvuodan le gå ep ållu diede gárvoj ja hávddedábij máhtudagáv variasjåvnåjs. Artihkkalin dágástalli gålmåjn hávddegávnadisájn vikingájges ja árra gasskaájges Storslettas ålggolin Råmså, Vivallenis Härjedalen ja Skjoldehámnas Ánddasuollun ja manen åvdep tjielggidusá dájs jábbmegij sjiervijs, etnisitiehtajs ja márjju noajdde rållajs li gássjela. Sierraláhkáj ij la buorre gå lip muhtem rádjáj mierredam mij ij la dábálasj sáme aktijvuodan, gå vuojnnep mij la dábálasj norrøna aktijvuodajn, juska ep nav ålov diede guovlo ja bájkálasj sáme gárvvodábijs dájn ájggegávdajn. Buohtastahttet sibijra noajdde gárvvodábij la aj gássjel gå e diedo gávnnu ma vuosedi jus sáme noajde gárvvunin sæmmiláhkáj. Jus galggap vaddet buorep vásstádusájt mij la dábálasj ja mij ij la dábálasj, de la dárbbo ájn guoradallat sáme gárvojt duot dát guovlos ájgij tjadá. Ájnas la aj åtsådit ja berustit åvdep ulmutjij identitiehtajt ma lidjin moattebelaga, sæmmi gå mijá identitiehta uddni. Sjiervve ja etnisitiehtta li dåssju guokta moattet sosiálalasj identitiehtajs ma máhtti tjielggit gárvoj ja hávddevattáldagáj baktu. Dakkár perspektijva li ájnnasa jus galggá dádjadit dålusj ulmutjijt, ja máhtti aj mijáv viehkedit ájádalátjit udnásj moattebelak identitehtajs.

• Spangen, Marte (2025). Kvinne, same, sjaman? Litt om kjønn i graver og arkeologisk tolkning av drakt og identitet i samisk kontekst. Bårjås. ISSN 1502-0002. 2025, p. 6–18. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Arkeologiske funn i graver kan gi innsikt i fortidens identiteter, kjønn og etnisitet, også i samiske sammenhenger. Men å tolke klær og gjenstander i graver er komplisert, siden de samme elementene kan uttrykke og bety ulike ting i ulike kontekster. For å vite hva som er spesielt og uvanlig, må man vite hva som var standard og vanlig. Et problem i samisk sammenheng er at man ikke har nok kunnskap om variasjoner i klesdrakt og gravskikk til å vite dette med sikkerhet. I artikkelen diskuteres tre gravfunn fra vikingtid og tidlig middelalder fra Storslett utenfor Tromsø, Vivallen i Härjedalen og Skjoldehamn på Andøya og hvorfor tidligere tolkninger av disse dødes kjønn, etnisitet og eventuelle rolle som noaide eller sjaman er problematiske. Særlig er det uheldig at man delvis har definert hva som uvanlig i en samisk sammenheng utfra hva vi ser som vanlig i norrøne sammenhenger, selv om vi vet lite om regional og lokal samisk draktskikk i disse periodene. Sammenligning med sibirske sjamaners draktskikker er også et problem når det ikke finnes informasjon om at samiske noaider kledde seg på lignende vis. For å kunne gi bedre svar på hva som er vanlig og uvanlig trenger vi mer forskning på samisk klesdrakt i ulike områder gjennom tidene. I tillegg er det viktig å utforske fortidens menneskers identitet med mer oppmerksomhet rundt at disse var like sammensatte, like «interseksjonelle», som våre identiteter i dag. Kjønn og etnisitet er bare to av mange sosiale identiteter som kan uttrykkes gjennom klesdrakten og gravgavene. Slike perspektiver er avgjørende for å forstå fortidens mennesker, og de kan også hjelpe oss å reflektere over dagens sammensatte identiteter.

• Spangen, Marte (2025). Antidemokratisk diskurs som et "wicked problem" og hvordan inkluderende arkeologi kan bidra til kognitiv beredskap. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte; Neumann, Iver Brynild; Glørstad, Håkon; Melheim, Anne Lene; Solheim, Steinar & Lund, Julie (2025). Hvorfor vil Trump styre fortiden? p. 15–15. doi: https:/eavis.dagsavisen.no/p/dagsavisen/10-09-2025/r/8/14-15/6366/1993129. Full text in Research Archive
• Christensen, Lina & Spangen, Marte (2025). – Fortiden har en betydning for hvordan folk ser på verden, og det har Trump åpenbart innsett. [Internet]. Forskerforum. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Hør på dem som faktisk kan noe om fortiden, i stedet for de som primært har en politisk agenda, oppfordrer Marte Spangen.

• Spangen, Marte (2025). Find recording and research potential of metal detecting finds in Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte; Neumann, Iver Brynild; Glørstad, Håkon; Lund, Julie; Melheim, Anne Lene & Solheim, Steinar (2025). Livsfarlige tider for vår felles hukommelse. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2025). Politikere reagerer på forslag om metall­søking: – Bør være lov. [Internet]. forskning.no. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  https://www.forskning.no/arkeologi-politikk/politikere-reagerer-pa-forslag-om-metallsoking-bor-vaere-lov/2492962

• Spangen, Marte (2025). Full forvirring: Blir metallsøking forbudt? [Internet]. forskning.no. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  https://www.forskning.no/arkeologi/full-forvirring-blir-metallsoking-forbudt/2490435

• Spangen, Marte (2025). Lys i tunnelen? Kulturhistorisk museums arbeid med metallsøkerfunn. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2025). Samers tilstedeværelse i store byer i tidlig nytid. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2025). Kulturhistorisk museums arbeid med metallsøkerfunn. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2025). Detektorpodden episode 8 - Marte Spangen fra KHM og blir metallsøking nå ulovlig i Norge? [Radio]. Spotify. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  https://open.spotify.com/episode/66P0XpWudIWwFS89LmPJM1?si=rS1VCbrFRGODhtx0EesEWA

• Martens, Jes & Spangen, Marte (2025). Politikere reagerer på forslag om metallsøking - Bør være lov. [Internet]. Forskning.no. Full text in Research Archive
• Martens, Jes & Spangen, Marte (2025). Full forvirring: Blir metallsøking forbudt? [Internet]. Forskning.no. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2024). Arbeid med metallsøkerfunn på Kulturhistorisk museum. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2024). Varangermøter. Om transkulturell utveksling i middelalderens Nord-Fennoskandia. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte; Løken, Marianne & Wang, Tone (2024). Folkeforskning som satsningsområde i de kulturhistoriske museene. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2024). Detektor. Glemte historier. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  https://www.historiskmuseum.no/utstillinger/detektor/

• Spangen, Marte & Mauren, Arnfinn (2024). Amatørenes funn på museum. [Journal]. Aftenposten. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte & Mauren, Arnfinn (2024). Fant gull med metallsøker. Nå stilles amatørenes funn ut på museum. [Journal]. Aftenposten. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  https://www.aftenposten.no/norge/i/Gywnkl/museum-har-faatt-inn-tusenvis-av-funn-fra-metallsoek-11-av-dem-stilles-ut

• Spangen, Marte (2024). «Detektor – glemte historier» – om utstillingsproduksjon som dynamisk interaktiv kommunikasjon. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2024). Mediedebatter om aDNA. Hva handler de egentlig om? Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte & Solheim, Steinar (2024). Boken «12000 år med norsk historie» bidrar mer til forvirring enn forklaring. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  https://www.aftenposten.no/meninger/debatt/i/9z99jW/boken-12000-aar-med-norsk-historie-bidrar-mer-til-forvirring-enn-forklaring

• Spangen, Marte (2024). Tilbake til Midgardsblot - del 2. [Radio]. Tidløse historier, Vestfoldmuseenes podcast. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2024). The Saami and Saami religion in the Viking Age. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte & Jørgensen, Erlend Kirkeng (2024). Black Death in Sápmi? Tracking the impact of the second Yersinia pestis plague pandemic on the indigenous Saami population in northern Fennoscandia. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2024). Spirituality and magical practises - past and present. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2024). Were they all Saami men? Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2024). Hva holder vi egentlig på med? Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2024). Hva kan metallsøkerfunn si om tidlig kristning og kongemakt i Innlandet? En invitasjon til samarbeid. Full text in Research Archive
• AA, Anne Marie & Spangen, Marte (2024). Bronsefunn fra Dovre får fast utstilling på Kulturhistorisk museum. [Journal]. Vigga. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Det sjeldne funnet som ble gjort av en tutulus på et jorde i Dovre for ni år siden, blir nå innlemmet i den permanente utstillingen Liv laga, som åpnet i sommer. https://www.vigga.no/nyheter/i/gwzgw1/bronsefunn-fra-dovre-faar-fast-utstilling-paa-kulturhistorisk-museum

• Mauren, Arnfinn; Spangen, Marte & Krokmyrdal, Tor Ketil (2024). Løste samisk mysterium med metalldetektor: – Her lå vintermarkedet. [Journal]. Aftenposten. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  https://www.aftenposten.no/historie/i/BWgy8E/gjorde-metallsoek-for-aa-loese-samisk-mysterium-her-laa-vintermarkedet

• Spangen, Marte & Solheim, Steinar (2024). Ingen nye argumenter. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  https://www.aftenposten.no/meninger/debatt/i/zEnRwq/ingen-nye-argumenter?fbclid=IwAR3Q_LwfTrY7e3wy3SBJlWTFJdPKOvBDc10BW-dWJTnyPoVHKrA_GGzrmMo

• Spangen, Marte & Jørgensen, Erlend Kirkeng (2024). Svartedauden i Sápmi? Om hvordan den samiske befolkningen ble påvirket av middelalderens Yersinia pestis-pandemi og hvilke konsekvenser det fikk. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2024). Nye tiltak for at metallsøkerfunn skal bli kunnskap. Full text in Research Archive
• Wersland, Elin Margrethe & Spangen, Marte (2024). Kautokeino motsatte seg forskning på dyrebein fra samiske offerplasser. [Journal]. Ságat. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  https://www.sagat.no/nyheter/kautokeino-motsatte-seg-forskning-pa-dyrebein-fra-samiske-offerplasser/19.46666

• Spangen, Marte (2023). Menneskelignende trefigurer – samiske sieddit, norrøne gudebilder eller begge deler. Haaløygminne : Håløygminne. ISSN 0333-0931. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2023). En mulig ny tolkning av den flate gullringen i Laksefjordskattene. Haaløygminne : Håløygminne. ISSN 0333-0931. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2023). Runesteinen fra Ervika. Haaløygminne : Håløygminne. ISSN 0333-0931. 104(3), p. 12–24. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte & Solheim, Steinar (2023). Utdaterte spekulasjoner om DNA og kultur blir presentert som fakta. Det er et problem. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  https://www.aftenposten.no/meninger/kronikk/i/3EAvjP/utdaterte-spekulasjoner-om-dna-og-kultur-blir-presentert-som-fakta-det-er-et-problem

• Spangen, Marte (2023). Dyrebein på samiske offerplasser - eller: C54897 får endelig sin heyday! Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2023). Heritage Accesibility Debate. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2023). Varangermarkedet – utveksling, sosiale relasjoner og landskap i det nordlige Sápmi. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2023). Nasjonalt digitalt registreringssystem for metallsøkerfunn (NDR) – hvor er vi og hvor vil vi? Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2023). Den fjerde F’en: Frivillighetens rolle i arkeologisk forvaltning, forskning og formidling. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2023). Jakten på et godt system/Jakten på Varangermarkedet. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte & Jørgensen, Erlend Kirkeng (2022). Black Death in Sápmi. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2022). Fantasi om kjemper i nord. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  www.nordnorskdebatt.no/fantasi-om-kjemper-i-nord/o/5-124-200329?fbclid=IwAR0IMlPsZe1FPZyROS_Ou557fp0qWEytd6_mxx28n0Eo2Ovf3-5OGTdifNA

• Spangen, Marte (2022). Roads of the North – facts and myths about cross-cultural interaction and land negotiations in medieval northern Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2022). Roads of the North: Movement, worldviews, and territoriality in the medieval and early modern Far North. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2022). Jakten på Varangermarkedet - og hvorfor lokaliseringen betyr noe. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte & Sindbæk, Søren M (2021). Misuse of the Medieval in the Early 21st Century. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Rundebordssesjon ledet av M. Spangen.

• Spangen, Marte (2021). Offerringer eller ulvefeller? En studie av steinsirkler i samiske landskap. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte & Arntzen, Johan Eilertsen (2020). Sticky structures and opportunistic builders - longhouses in northern Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2020). Roads of the North. Isotope studies of husbandry and movements in medieval northern Norway? Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2020). Roads of the North - myths and facts about cross-cultural interaction and land negotiations in medieval northern Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte & Loge, Julia (2020). Slik lager forskerne egne podkaster. [Journal]. Forskerforum. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte & Arntzen, Johan Eilertsen (2020). Langhus i Nord-Norge - seige strukturer og kreative husbyggere. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2019). Gávdnosat oaffarbáikkiin duođaštit boazodoalu álggu. [Journal]. Ávvir. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Ođđa teknologiija lea nagodan gávnnahit ahte sámi oaffarbáikkit leat 500-logus leamaš, ja doppe leat gávdnan dieđuid ahte boazodoallu lei dalle dábálaš.

• Spangen, Marte; Dahle, Kristoffer & Eidshaug, Jo Sindre Pålssønn (2019). Arkeologi på rappen 2-3: Kristoffer Dahle og Jo Sindre Eidshaug om jernvinna i Møre og Romdsdal. [Internet]. Podcast på Soundcloud. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Arkeologi på rappen, sesong 2, episode 3: Hvordan utvant man jern på Nordvestlandet i jernalder og middelalder? Hadde de andre metoder her enn i resten av dagens Norge? Og hva sier de arkeologiske sporene etter jernvinna om samfunnsforholdene i området? Arkeologene Kristoffer Dahle og Jo Sindre Eidshaug forteller om sin studie av jernvinneanlegg i Møre og Romsdal, som har gitt nye perspektiver på arkeologien og samfunnsutviklingen i jernalder og middelalder. Intervjuer: Marte Spangen. Teknisk bistand: Kjell-Erik Jonasson, Krokom Radio. Produsert for Primitive tider september 2019. Les deres artikkel og resten av Primitive tider nr. 20 på nett her: journals.uio.no/index.php/PT

• Spangen, Marte (2019). About moving. Mobility and being in the landscapes of the High North. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Del av sesjon 1242: "Moving About: The Meaning of Movements for Medieval Societies in the North" organisert av Marte Spangen

• Spangen, Marte; Jantsch, Ann Kathrin & Ødegården, Mona (2019). Arkeologi på rappen 2-2: Ann Kathrin Jantsch og Mona Ødegården om gravene i Vår Frue kirke. [Internet]. Podcast på Soundcloud. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Arkeologi på rappen, sesong 2, episode 2: Hva gjør vi med gravfunn som ikke er beskyttet av kulturminneloven? Hva kan arkeologiske undersøkelser av slike graver fortelle om individer og samfunn i tidlig moderne tid? Arkeologene Ann Kathrin Jantsch og Mona Ødegården forteller om sine undersøkelser av gravkjelleren under Vår Frue kirke i Trondheim. Intervjuer: Marte Spangen. Teknisk bistand: Kjell-Erik Jonasson, Krokom Radio. Produsert for Primitive tider februar 2019. Les deres artikkel og resten av Primitive tider nr. 20 på nett her: journals.uio.no/index.php/PT

• Spangen, Marte (2019). Historisk arkeologi i Norge – et metatema? Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte; Ljunge, Magnus & Persson, Maria (2019). Arkeologi på rappen 2-5: Magnus Ljunge og Maria Persson om krigskirkegårders materialitet. [Internet]. Podcast på Soundcloud. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Arkeologi på rappen, sesong 2, episode 5: Hva kan en arkeologisk tilnærming til krigens falne lære oss om hvordan vi mennesker forholder oss til død, minne og materialitet? Arkeologene Magnus Ljunge og Maria Persson forteller om utforming, bruk og betydning av krigskirkegårdene på Kviberg kyrkogård i Göteborg. Intervjuer: Marte Spangen. Teknisk bistand: Kjell-Erik Jonasson, Krokom Radio. Produsert for Primitive tider november 2019. Les Magnus og Marias artikkel og resten av Primitive tider nr. 20 på nett her: journals.uio.no/index.php/PT

• Spangen, Marte & Odebäck, Kerstin (2019). Arkeologi på rappen 2-6: Kerstin Odebäck om våpen, krigere og skjold i vikingtidsgraver. [Internet]. Podcast på Soundcloud. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Arkeologi på rappen, sesong 2, episode 6: Betyr våpen i graver nødvendigvis at det er en kriger som er begravet? Og hvilken funksjon har egentlig et skjold i en grav? Arkeolog Kerstin Odebäck snakker om mangetydige gjenstander og varierte identiteter i et av Skandinavias mest ikoniske arkeologiske materialer – vikingtidsgravene. Intervjuer: Marte Spangen. Teknisk bistand: Kjell-Erik Jonasson, Krokom Radio. Produsert for Primitive tider desember 2019. Les Kerstins artikkel og resten av Primitive tider nr. 20 på nett her: journals.uio.no/index.php/PT

• Spangen, Marte & Fahlander, Fredrik (2019). Arkeologi på rappen 2-4: Fredrik Fahlander om kristne begravelser i hedenske graver. [Internet]. Podcast på Soundcloud. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Arkeologi på rappen, sesong 2, episode 4: Hvorfor valgte noen tidlige kristne i Øst-Sverige å begrave sine døde i tusen år eldre hedenske graver? Og kan man nærme seg dette bedre ved å fokusere på selve gravene, i stedet for menneskene i dem? Arkeolog og docent Fredrik Fahlander forteller om utgravningene av noen merkelig graver i Broby bro nord for Stockholm. Intervjuer: Marte Spangen. Teknisk bistand: Kjell-Erik Jonasson, Krokom Radio. Produsert for Primitive tider oktober 2019. Les Fredriks artikkel og resten av Primitive tider nr. 20 på nett her: journals.uio.no/index.php/PT

• Spangen, Marte (2019). Arkeologi på rappen: Podkast som formidlingsform. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2019). Multi-ethnicity in the North in the Viking and Early Middle Ages. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte (2019). Roads of the North – movement, interaction, and landscape negotiation in northern Norway. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The medieval and early modern Far North of Fennoscandia is often viewed as a periphery of little population and activity. However, archaeological, historical, and toponymical sources reflect a relatively significant amount and variety of people moving within and to and from these areas for purposes of livelihood, taxation, and trade. In the project «Roads of the North», a combination of archaeological sources, isotope studies, old maps, and other historical sources, as well as toponyms, are studied to trace the movements of these groups and the interaction between them in the primarily Sámi areas of northern Norway. This includes studies of the historical development of Sámi mobility patterns and economics before the introduction of more extensive reindeer pastoralism and herding; the archaeological traces of the threefold taxation of the Sámi by Russian, Danish/Norwegian, and Swedish state powers, and how regional and local landscape access and use were negotiated between these groups and different native Sámi communities. The study of these movements and interactions are paramount to our understanding of the ethnic and cultural complexity of the area in the past. However, it is also an aim to provide a more diverse narrative of the past than the stereotypes that tends to permeate a somewhat heated current debate in northern Norway about borders and land rights in the past – and today. The ongoing debate emphasizes the need for research on these topics and for communication of these research results to a wider public.

• Spangen, Marte & Kristoffersen, Astrid Tvedte (2019). Arkeologi på rappen 2-1: Astrid Tvedte Kristoffersen om blyisotoper og gruvedrift i Akersberget. [Internet]. Podcast på Soundcloud. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Arkeologi på rappen, sesong 2, episode 1: Hva kan små isotoper i blygjenstander si om den middelalderske myten om en «sølvskatt» i Akersberget? Arkeolog Astrid Tvedte Kristoffersen forteller om sine undersøkelser av blygjenstander fra Gamlebyen i Oslo og hvordan de tyder på at man har hatt gruvedrift i området flere hundre år tidligere enn man så langt har antatt. Intervjuer: Marte Spangen. Teknisk bistand: Kjell-Erik Jonasson, Krokom Radio. Produsert for Primitive tider februar 2019. Les Astrids artikkel og resten av Primitive tider nr. 20 på nett her: journals.uio.no/index.php/PT

• Spangen, Marte (2019). Arkeologi på rappen: Podcast som formidlingsform. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte & Vedeler, Marianne (2018). Arkeologi på rappen 1-1: Marianne Vedeler om middelalderoppskrifter. [Internet]. Podcast for Primitive tider på soundcloud.com og iTunes. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  "Arkeologi på rappen", en podcast for tidsskriftet Primitive tider, sesong 1, episode 1 (pilot): Professor og arkeolog Marianne Vedeler forteller om bevarte oppskrifter fra middelalderen, relevante arkeologiske funn i norske middelalderbyer og nye metoder som kan avsløre en mer variert matkultur i denne perioden enn det man vanligvis forestiller seg. Intervjuer: Marte Spangen. Produsert for Primitive tider mars 2018. Les Mariannes artikkel i PT nr. 19 her: www.academia.edu/36018163/Fra_kok…2017_19_%C3%A5rg

• Spangen, Marte & Ødegaard, Marie (2018). Arkeologi på rappen 1-4: Marie Ødegaard om 100(!) hus fra eldre jernalder på Dilling, Rygge, Østfold. [Internet]. Podcast på Soundcloud. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Arkeologi på rappen, sesong 1, episode 4: Arkeolog Marie Ødegaard forteller om de 100(!) husene fra førromersk og romersk jernalder som de har avdekket på Dilling, Rygge, Østfold, i tillegg til andre spennende funn av branngravfelt, grophus, veger, gjerder og mere til. Produsert for Primitive tider juli 2018.

• Spangen, Marte & Brøndbo, Stig (2018). Samiske offerplasser avslører når reindrifta startet. [Internet]. forskning.no. Full text in Research Archive
• Spangen, Marte & Rødsrud, Christian Løchsen (2018). Arkeologi på rappen 1-2: Christian Rødsrud om romersk påvirkning på drikkekar i Norge. [Internet]. Podcast for Primitive tider på soundcloud.com og iTunes. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Podcasten "Arkeologi på rappen" for tidsskriftet Primitive tider, sesong 1, episode 2: Arkeolog Christian Løchsen Rødsrud forteller om romerske glass med lokale sølvbeslag, leirkar som etterligner eller inneholder deler av romerske glass og hvorfor dette kan kalles hybridisering. Intervjuer: Marte Spangen. Teknisk bistand: Kjell-Erik Jonasson, Krokom Radio. Produsert for Primitive tider april 2018. Les Christians artikkel i PT nr. 19 her: www.academia.edu/36317171/Drikkeu…_eldre_jernalder

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