Our publications

• Bertheussen, Anastasia; Wright, David K.; Birk, Jago J.; Steindal, Calin Constantin; Fiedler, Sabine & Klassen, Stefanie [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2026). Past moisture and vegetation conditions at Lake Aura, Norway using n-alkanes and pollen. The Holocene. ISSN 0959-6836. doi: 10.1177/09596836261487383. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Wetlands are valuable paleoenvironmental archives where pollen and n -alkane samples can be collected and used to reconstruct local vegetation patterns and hydrological conditions. However, the impact of local environmental heterogeneity on n -alkanes specifically remains poorly constrained. To address this, we apply a combined n -alkane and pollen approach which allows for a more nuanced reconstruction. In this study, we analyze three separate peat cores around Lake Aura, a high-altitude lake in central Norway, to reconstruct the Holocene vegetation and hydrological development. The area has extensive evidence of successive archaeological activity, and human impacts on vegetation are considered. Our records show a general pattern of arboreal dominance, but with increasing percentages of grassy vegetation towards the Late Holocene, possibly associated with the onset and intensification of pastoralism. Although pollen and n -alkane records broadly converge, intervals where the n -alkane wood/grass ratio rises while the arboreal pollen declines show that the proxies capture different aspects of vegetation change, refining the overall reconstruction. Our study demonstrates the value of combining pollen with molecular markers for reconstructing Holocene vegetation and moisture patterns, and we highlight the broader potential of this tandem approach for refining paleoenvironmental reconstructions in heterogeneous landscapes.

• Kyllingstad, Jon Røyne (2026). Hva måler en intelligenstest? Arr - Idéhistorisk tidsskrift. ISSN 0802-7005. 2026(3). Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Hva er intelligens? Blant dem som utvikler og bruker IQ-tester er det lite faglig enighet om hva, helt eksakt, en IQ-test måler. Dette spørsmålet har blitt diskutert fra starten av forrige århundre og fram til i dag. Artikkelen retter fokus mot Wechsler-testene, dagens mest brukte og innflyteleserike IQ-tester, påpeker at disse testenes form og innhold er ikke et uttrykk for en spesifikk teori eller et entydig formulert intelligensbegrep, og argumenterer for at testene, og dermed den kunnskapen om intelligens som de produserer, i stor grad et produkt av testenes historie.

• Pirrone, Giada; Daire, Marie-Yvane & Berg-Hansen, Inger Marie (2026). A Tool for Understanding Taskscapes in Stone Age Coastal Hunter-Fisher-Gatherer Societies: Theoretical Aspects of Building a Relational Database (NAUTICC) for Large-Scale Analysis. Journal of Computer Applications in Archaeology. 9(1), p. 348–365. doi: 10.5334/jcaa.244. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This paper introduces the design process behind NAUTICC (Norms and Uses of Techniques in Prehistoric Coastal Communities), a relational database developed to collect, standardise, and analyse data related to hunter-fisher-gatherer (HFG) taskscapes across different geographical regions and chronological periods. The database is structured around a find-oriented approach, linking material evidence to interpretative categories derived from socio-anthropological theory, such as taskscapes, tasks, and bodily techniques. The paper outlines the theoretical framework underpinning the database design, the conceptual and relational modelling process, and the tools and workflows adopted for data management and FAIR-compliant dissemination. Particular attention is given to the challenges posed by the variability of available sources and the heterogeneity of archaeological data, as well as to the methodological choices made to balance standardisation and interpretative flexibility. NAUTICC is presented as a valuable research tool for large-scale, multi-regional and multi-period analysis, enabling the formulation of plausible archaeo-anthropological interpretations. It is currently being implemented on prehistoric coastal HFG communities in Brittany, southeastern Norway, and the Latvian coastal regions; however, its overall design remains flexible, allowing for potential future expansion to additional geographical areas and chronological periods.

• Tarrou, Liliane & Rødsrud, Christian Løchsen (2026). Et gravskip på øya Groix i Morbihanbukten i Frankrike. In Rødsrud, Christian Løchsen & Reiersen, Håkon (Ed.), Båtgraver i vikingtid. Museumsforlaget AS. ISSN 9788283051766. p. 259–279. doi: https:/museumsforlaget.no/produkt/batgraver-i-vikingtid/. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In 1906, two French archaeologists uncovered a 10th-century burial mound on the island of Groix in the Morbihan Bay in Brittany. It contained burned remains of a boat and bones from two individuals, along with a large number of artifacts. Despite the age of the excavation, this burial mound remains a unique and exceptional testimony to the Vikings’ journey through France. The burial vessel was estimated to have been between 11 and 14 meters long, based on the number of rivets and shield buckles. The artifacts primarily originate from the Scandinavian Viking world, but they also reflect considerable geographical diversity, including finds from Anglo-Saxon regions and possibly continental Europe. Written sources describe, with varying accuracy, the Vikings’ presence along the Breton coast and their role during a time of frequent conflict between Bretons and Franks. But who were these Vikings who settled on the island of Groix, and where did they come from? Over the years, several scholars have drawn parallels to the Myklebust burial in Norway. The Groix burial raises numerous questions, both from a material and historical perspective. Are the earlier conclusi ons about this find still valid today, or has new information emerged since the 1906 excavation? These are some of the issues we aim to highlight and attempt to answer in this article.

• Rødsrud, Christian Løchsen & Finnebråten-Staib, Charlotte Nueva (2026). En overpløyd skipsgrav på Jarlsberg. In Rødsrud, Christian Løchsen & Reiersen, Håkon (Ed.), Båtgraver i vikingtid. Museumsforlaget AS. ISSN 9788283051766. p. 147–169. doi: https:/museumsforlaget.no/produkt/batgraver-i-vikingtid/. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The farm Jarlsberg (previously Sem) has drawn archaeological attention on several instances, including private investigations before the dawn of professional excavations. As early as 1917 the mound Farmannshaugen was associated with the presence of a Viking ship, but excavations revealed nothing. During the last decade attention has been brought back to the same field via metal detectorist finds as well as geophysical anomalies. Excavations in 2024 revealed remains of 69 rivets and the remains of the foundation of a mound. As the rivets were spread out in the topsoil, nothing remaining in situ, there is no obvious way of measuring the size of the ship. This paper therefore explores ways of calculating the original size of the vessel at Jarlsberg by making comparisons with other known ships and boats in the region as well as examples from the Norse region in general. Measurements of the rivet sizes and the rivet stems thick ness reveal that Jarlsberg was a ship of prominent size, but further excavations are needed to reveal more about the context as hundreds of artefacts remain in the ground.

• Rødsrud, Christian Løchsen; Eriksen, Marianne Hem; Østmo, Mari Arentz & Winther, Torgeir (2026). Ariktektur og byggeskikk - 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. 107–136. doi: https:/cdforskning.no/cdf/catalog/book/294. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  House and Farm through Four Thousand Years. A Research Programme for Investigations of Settlement and Agricultural Sites from the Late Neolithic to the Middle Ages at the Museum of Cultural History builds on more than a hundred years of archaeological excavations in South-eastern Norway and, through ten chapters, presents up-to-date knowledge about buildings and agricultural communities of the past. Extensive settlement excavations of former farming communities in South-eastern Norway have taken place over the last 25 years, and some of these have provided a basis for new research. Nevertheless, there are still significant gaps in our knowledge. This research programme presents concrete proposals for strategies and measures that will contribute to further scholarly development. As part of this work, the Museum of Cultural History will in particular seek to improve understanding of the social and economic organisation of past agricultural societies in the years to come. House and Farm through Four Thousand Years is written for researchers, heritage managers, students, and others who wish to delve more deeply into the history of dwelling and farming. The book will be an important tool for planning and conducting future excavations of agrarian sites and will serve as a basis for the advice the museum provides in connection with the management of traces of past agricultural societies in South-eastern Norway.

• Macphail, Richard I.; Linderholm, Johan; Bill, Jan; Rødsrud, Christian Løchsen & Ramstad, Morten (2026). Identifying decayed Viking longship remains in Norwegian burial mounds; the Gokstad, Gjellestad and Myklebust sites. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. ISSN 2352-409X. 76. doi: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.106102. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Late Iron Age and Viking boat- and ship-burials are numerous in Norway, but relatively well-preserved ships are almost unique (e.g., the iconic Gokstad Longship), in comparison with the large number found as highly degraded remains in soil mounds. This article selects two examples of very poorly preserved longships (at Gjellestad and Myklebust) in order to compare their soil micromorphological characteristics with the Gokstad example. At the Gokstad mound, construction involved a layer of marine intertidal silty clay loam, below turves, which produced an anaerobic environment protecting the wooden ship from oxidation and microbiological attack. The ship burial at Gjellestad, had probably been turf- and sediment-buried; the poorly sealed ship became strongly affected by oxidising conditions leading to attack by soft rot bacteria and fungi. Soil results from UK experimental earthworks show how quickly changes can occur in buried soils. A very limited study shows that oxidation and probable attack by rot and fungi also affected the poorly sealed ship at Myklebust, which in the 19th century had been described as being burnt because of its dark remains and the presence of cremation residues. Unlike the Gokstad example, the differently constructed mounds at Gjellestad and Myklebust seem to have allowed drying-out, and only vestigial traces of the original wooden ships survive. The dissimilar soil micromorphological features of these three sites are illustrated alongside some detailed geochemistry from Gjellestad, where Principal Components Analysis had been applied; S and LOI are very strongly correlated alongside evidence of reducing conditions (MS550lf and MSQ).

• Melheim, Anne Lene & Neumann, Iver B. (2026). An Inter-Civilizational Bronze Age System: International Relations, Diplomacy, and Narrative Sociability, 1700–1200 B C <scp>bc</scp>. European Journal of Archaeology. ISSN 1461-9571. p. 17–17. doi: 10.1017/eaa.2026.10036. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Previous attempts at explaining how geographically distant and disparate Bronze Age polities, like the chiefdoms of northern Europe and the urban states of the Mediterranean, were connected have focused on exchange networks. By combining insights from political science with archaeology, this article sets out to do two things. First, to reintroduce system thinking to model interconnectivities in the Bronze Age world, using an old trope in international relations studies as a lens and analytical tool. Second, to argue that diplomacy and war must be treated on a par with trade as institutions of such a system, of major importance for understanding international relations during the Bronze Age. The authors discuss the so-called Amarna system’s scope in time and space, exploring whether and how Bronze Age polities in the far north of Europe, as outsiders, can be plausibly construed as constitutive ‘others’.

• Kyllingstad, Jon Røyne (2026). 10. “Culture” and Representability in the Norwegian Standardization of WISC-R. In Caspersen, Håkon Aamot & Kyllingstad, Jon Røyne (Ed.), Historicizing IQ Testing: Intelligence Assessments and their Role in Norwegian Society from the 1900s to the Present. Open Book Publishers. ISSN 9781805116202. p. 336–336. doi: 10.11647/obp.0471.10. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This chapter explores in detail the translation and adaptation of the Norwegian versions of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Revised (WISC-R) in 1974 –1978. Particular attention is paid the linguistic and cultural adaptation of the test and the “norming” of the IQ scale, and to the criteria behind the selection of a ‘representative’ sample of Norwegian school children on which the test was tried out. The chapter shows how the adaptation of WISC-R, in practice, has been based on a monolithic, quantitative and hierarchical notion of a national culture, mainly represented by white majority children of well-educated parents.

• Glørstad, Håkon (2026). Ravende om et ruvende ravfunn. Primitive tider. ISSN 1501-0430. Spesialutgave (2026): Espens festskrift. doi: https:/journals.uio.no/PT/article/view/13540. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In the 1940s, a large lump of amber was found in the sea outside the island Tjøme in Vestfold Coun ty. The find is exceptional. A curious incident when the lump was exhibited at the Museum of Natural History in Oslo in the early 2000s, could indicate that the lump came from a wreck from the end of the Stone Age. A closer examination of the circumstances around the discovery of the amber lump makes this scenario unlikely. It is, however, an open question whether the amber came to the Oslo fjord by natural processes or by human transport as amber has been a precious raw material throughout prehistory and medieval times

• Kollandsrud, Kaja & Kausland, Kristin (2026). Radiant gold or imitation? Exploring the painter's use of yellow-glazed gildings in medieval Europe. In Bridgland, Janet (Eds.), Cultural Connections in Conservation. ICOM-CC 21st Triennial Conference Preprints, Oslo 14-18 September 2026. International Council of Museums Committee for Conservation (ICOM-CC). ISSN 9782487970342. doi: https:/www.icom-cc-publications-online.org/. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The article presents the findings related to a captivating technique used by medieval painters and preparers in Europe, in which radiant golden light effects were achieved by applying a yellow glaze to gildings in the white metals tin and silver, but also gold. The role of yellow-glazed gildings in the nearly 2,000 polychrome wooden art objects housed in churches and preserved between 1100 and 1550 in Norway and Sweden is explored, with examples of its use in Europe. Based on this review of the technique, including its materials, processes and desired effects, and an analysis of textural sources, terminology and trends of use, we advocate for a more neutral and descriptive term, ‘yellow-glazed metal’ (alternatively, silver, tin or gold). In contrast to terms like ‘imitation gold’, it focuses on the material and technique without presuming a motive for its use.

• 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 Show summary

  By mapping thousands of iron production sites and charcoal pits, and compiling radiocarbon dates from excavated sites, we provide a solid estimate of the quantity and extent of iron production in Valdres during the Viking Age and the Middle Ages. Both archaeological and historical sources indicate that it was the local population in Valdres that carried out iron production. Our estimates show that an average of at least 5000 kg of iron was produced each year in Nord-Aurdal, Vestre Slidre, Øystre Slidre and Vang over a period of almost 400 years, from ca. 900 to 1300 AD. By comparing this production with an estimated demand for iron, we show that this was a surplus production by a clear margin – the iron produced in Valdres was a commodity. Numerous and large deposits of standardised forms of iron, especially iron ingots of the type R.438, in the rich agricultural areas north and west of the the Oslofjord, suggest that this area played a key role in the distribution of iron from Valdres. However, much of the iron was also transported to western Norway, crossing over Filefjell, likely passing through the important urban trading center of Kaupanger in Sogn.

• 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 Show summary

  Husholdet og gården utgjorde en grunnleggende enhet i fortidens norske agrarsamfunn, men de var aldri helt selvforsynt. Tilgangen til ulike ressurser samt ønsket om og nødvendigheten av varer utenfra skapte behov for varetransport, nettverk og forbindelser som formet sørøstnorske samfunn fra senneolitikum til middelalderen. Med dette som bakteppe presenterer vi utviklingen i vareomsetning og økonomi samtidig som det pekes på betydelige kilde- og kunnskapsmessige hull. Forløpet som skisseres, ses i lys av en diskusjon om betydningen av markedsøkonomiske prinsipper i fortiden kontra rollene som blant annet sosiale relasjoner og forhold spilte for økonomisk organisering og vareomsetning. Spesielt går kapittelet inn på de vidstrakte handelsnettverkene i senneolitikum–bronsealder, og på betydningen sentralisert produksjon og sentralplasser i jernalderen fikk for teknologisk utvikling og tidlige urbane prosesser. Kapittelet går også inn på gaveog vareutvekslingen i vikingtid og middelalder, der sølv og etter hvert mynt fikk betydningsfulle roller og ble brukt side om side med varepenger som kyr eller smør.

• 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 Show summary

  Agrarbosetningen i Øst-Norge preges av en mangefasettert produksjon og ressursfordeling som var rettet mot så vel eget hushold som utveksling og handel. Noen produksjonsformer og håndverksprosesser er godt kjent, men mange foredlingsprosesser er mangelfullt belyst, for eksempel der kun sluttproduktene eller enkelte ledd i produksjonsprosessen er dokumentert i arkeologiske undersøkelser. Dette kapittelet presenterer en oversikt over relevante gjenstander, strukturtyper og analyseformer som kan bidra til å fange opp og nyansere vår forståelse av håndverk og produksjon på gårdene, enten den springer ut av landbruksprodukter fra hagebruk, åkerbruk eller husdyrhold, sanking og foredling av ressurser i den nære utmarken eller råvarer tilført gårdene gjennom utveksling. I tillegg til en skjematisk oversikt over en rekke former for produksjon og foredling som det er behov for mer kunnskap om, blir tre ulike arkeologiske strukturtyper som jevnlig påvises ved boplassundersøkelser, presentert mer detaljert: Smier, ovner og groper eller brønner. Til tross for at undersøkelser av slike kontekster fra de siste tiårene har gitt nye innsikter, identifiseres det her flere kunnskapshull som nye undersøkelser kan sikte mot å tette.

• Lefkaditou, Ageliki (2026). 1. Between Change and Stability. In Caspersen, Håkon Aamot & Kyllingstad, Jon Røyne (Ed.), Historicizing IQ Testing: Intelligence Assessments and their Role in Norwegian Society from the 1900s to the Present. Open Book Publishers. ISSN 9781805116202. p. 29–72. doi: 10.11647/obp.0471.01. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This chapter recounts the development of the first full Norwegian adaptation of the Stanford–Binet intelligence scale by school psychiatrist Johan Lofthus during the interwar period. It begins with earlier efforts to adapt the test and concludes with Lofthus´s departure from his school position. The chapter examines what the test’s creation reveals about standardization as scientific practice and sheds light on the convergence of educational and medical ideals that fueled the processes of adaptation. It further investigates what facilitated or resisted change and movement for the tests and the actors associated with them. Finally, it shows the portrayal of these as simultaneously fraught and indispensable diagnostic tools, situated between expressions of care and control, scientific and political projects.

• Wittje, Roland (2026). Book review: Myles W. Jackson. <i>Broadcasting Fidelity: German Radio and the Rise of Early Electronic Music</i>. American Historical Review. ISSN 0002-8762. 131(3), p. 1289–1289. doi: 10.1093/ahr/rhag130. Full text in Research Archive
• Gjerpe, Lars Erik & Mjærum, Axel (2026). Introduksjon til og avgrensning av Faglig program for undersøkelser av landbruksspor. 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. 11–21. doi: 10.23865/cdf.294. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Kulturhistorisk museums utgravningsvirksomhet har som hovedmål å forstå fortiden, samle inn kildemateriale og dele kunnskap om utgravningsresultatene. Disse tre oppgavene danner det naturlige utgangspunktet for et faglig program som undersøker spor etter agrarbosetning fra forhistorie og middelalder (ca. 2350 f.Kr.–1536 e.Kr.). I dette innledende kapittelet avgrenses programmet både tematisk og tidsmessig. Samtidig understrekes det at «gården» har mange dimensjoner: den er ikke bare et bosted og en arena for produksjon, men også en sosial institusjon vevet inn i ulike sosiale nettverk. Disse perspektivene danner grunnlaget for valget av programmets to hovedtemaer: de økonomiske forholdene og det sosiale livet i landbruksbosetningene.

• Sand-Eriksen, Anette (2026). Revisiting the case of simple shaft-hole axes in southeast Norway through the lens of Poincaré sets. Primitive tider. ISSN 1501-0430. p. 219–233. doi: 10.5617/pt.13548. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Denne artikkelen presenterer anvendelsen av Poincaré-metodologien innen arkeologisk GIS, et uformelt og utforskende analytisk rammeverk utviklet av Espen Uleberg. I artikkelen argumenters det for den potensiale i å analysere mangfoldige og "rotete" arkeologiske datasett. Studien fremhever det teoretiske grunnlaget ved metoden, som her videreutvikles, og resultatene bidrar til å demonstrere dens verdi som et «verktøy for å tenke med» og gjennom dette avdekke samspillet mellom menneskelige og miljømessige faktorer over tid. Helt eksplisitt gjenbesøker studien de enkle skafthulløksene fra senneolitikum og tidlig bronsealder i sørøst-Norge. Den utforskende GIS-analysen bruker Poincaré-metodologien til å avdekke tidligere oversette romlige mønstre, som sammenhengen mellom enkelte av skafthulløks-typene og elver. Disse mønstrene antyder en funksjon som ikke kan beskrives til kun agro-pastorale formål, som avskoging, men at øksene sannsynligvis ble brukt til andre skogsrelaterte erverv, som tømmerhogst og -utvinning relatert til fløting og ressursforvaltning. Resultatene gir videre en innsikt i relevansen av eksisterende typologi for enkle skafthulløkser i (sørøst) Norge, der det argumenteres for at selv om typologien fanger opp noen nøkkelaspekter relatert til primær funksjon og bruk, trenger denne videre revisjon, noe som peker mot en fremtidig retning for studier av denne øksetypen i arkeologisk forskning.

• Mjærum, Axel & Bergstøl, Jostein (2026). Archaeology and Hydropower in the Mountains. In Carrer, Francesco; Callanan, Martin; Casa, Philippe Della; Fontana, Federica; Reinhold, Sabine & Saul, Hayley (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Mountain Archaeology. Oxford University Press. ISSN 9780197608036. p. 1–17. doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197608005.013.10. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Hydropower development in mountainous regions both threatens and advances archaeological knowledge. Reservoirs, dams, and associated infrastructure damage cultural heritage through construction and erosion in active regulation zones. Focusing on Scandinavia, especially Norway and Sweden, the article traces the history of "hydropower archaeology" and outlines legal and nancial frameworks. Methodologically, the article details adapted eld strategies for the short and unpredictable windows the sites are exposed in regulation zones, combining surface survey, test pitting, geophysics, LIDAR, and selected underwater techniques. It further highlights the potential of sediment and peat analyses as archaeological proxies and argues that post-inundation management and dedicated funding are essential to secure endangered mountain heritage.

• 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 Show summary

  I dette kapittelet diskuterer vi hvordan arkeologisk materiale fra forvaltningsundersøkelser kan belyse hushold og sosial organisasjon. Husholdet utgjør en grunnleggende sosial enhet i samfunnet, men hvem som har utgjort husholdets medlemmer, har nødvendigvis variert over tid, mellom ulike landskaper og i lys av husholdets sosiale og økonomiske posisjon. Vi argumenterer for at konseptet hushold må åpnes for å gi rom for flere aktører – mennesker, dyr, hus og ting – som forbindes gjennom forankring i et felles sosialt og fysisk rom. Ved å definere husholdet gjennom hva det gjør (og hvordan), mener vi at husholdet best kan studeres gjennom gjenstander og kontekster som belyser arenaer for samhandling. I tillegg til en kortfattet oversikt over hushold som forskningstema i ulike perioder presenteres fem materialtyper som utkrystalliserer sosiale arenaer der samhandling, sosiale relasjoner og posisjoner er særlig fremtredende i så vel hverdagslig praksis som symbolsk ladede situasjoner: matpraksis, ildsteder, kvernsteiner. Vektleggingen av samhandling bunner i en teoretisk forankring i relasjonelle og praksis- og materialitetsorienterte perspektiver som tilsier at dynamikk mellom mennesker, steder og ikke-menneskelige aktører er aktive drivere i meningsdannelse, og at materiell praksis former kunnskapssystemer og felles tradisjoner.

• 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 Show summary

  I dette kapittelet belyses den arkeologiske kunnskapsproduksjonen fra registrering via utgravning til etterarbeid og magasinering, og det er lagt vekt på hvordan de ulike leddene virker sammen. Kapittelet redegjør for gjeldende registrerings- og utgravningspraksis, samtidig som det utdyper hvordan registrerings-, utgravnings og etterarbeidsstrategier kan bidra til fremtidig kunnskapsvekst. Det blir særlig trukket frem potensialet i kvalitative undersøkelser og lokaliteter med gode bevaringsforhold for å rette skjevheten i datamaterialet. Betydningen av gode naturvitenskapelige strategier understrekes, samt behovet for gode dokumentasjonsstandarder og databaser som gjør datamaterialet fra forvaltningsundersøkelser, inkludert fylkeskommunens registreringer, mest mulig tilgjengelig og gjenbrukbart for videre forskning og formidling.

• Zilmer, Kristel (2026). “Thorgrim Owns Me”: Runic Graffiti of Lydvaloftet, a Medieval Farmhouse at Voss, Norway. In Tedeschi, Carlo & Mostert, Marco (Ed.), Graffiti in Medieval and Early Modern Societies. Brepols Publishers. ISSN 9782503625126. p. 205–230. doi: 10.1484/m.usml-eb.5.154735. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Graffiti is increasingly being recognised as an important historical source that can provide first-hand information on the written cultures of past societies. This book presents a wide variety of approaches to the how and why of graffiti production in medieval and early modern societies. Geographically, the book ranges from Italy to Russia, by way of the insular and Nordic worlds, and beyond, to the Holy Land and early medieval Nubia. Attention is given to information which will lead to the development of the historical criticism of graffiti, including the best practices for photography. A bibliography of the publications on medieval graffiti which have come out since 2000 is hoped to further the development of future scholarship. While there is extensive scholarship on graffiti in classical Antiquity, other historical graffiti remains understudied. This volume provides an overview of studies on graffiti for medieval and early modern cultures as well as a platform for future research.

• Damlien, Hege; Rosenvinge, Carine Sofie; Solheim, Steinar & Magnell, Ola (2026). Between broad spectrum and specialization: Revisiting the Late Mesolithic (c. 6300–3900 BC) Skoklefall site, Oslo Fjord region, Norway. Journal of Island & Coastal Archaeology. ISSN 1556-4894. doi: 10.1080/15564894.2026.2693850. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  It is a general assumption that the Mesolithic (ca. 9300–3900 BC) population in the Skagerrak region was highly dependent on marine resources. Due to taphonomic processes, faunal remains from the excavated settlement sites in the region are sparse, with preservation limited to burned bones on most sites. This has resulted in restricted and biased evidence for reconstructing the subsistence economy. In this paper, we present results from archaeological excavations at the Late Mesolithic (ca. 6300–3900 BC) Skoklefall site, located in the inner part of the Oslo Fjord, in southeast Norway. The site yielded well-preserved faunal material from a settlement area and an associated shell midden. We include data from 17 additional sites from southeast Norway and western Sweden with preserved faunal remains, to discuss subsistence and resource exploitation in the Skagerrak region during the Late Mesolithic. We conclude that the aggregated material from the Late Mesolithic sites in this region points to the importance of marine resources within a broad spectrum of species. Skoklefall is an exceptional site in this context, reflecting a clear specialization toward fowling, as well as local adaptation to herring fishing and shellfish harvesting.

• Mjærum, Axel; Friis, Ellen Kathrine; Hesthagen, Trygve H. & Kirchhefer, Andreas (2026). The introduction of fish to the Scandinavian mountains by hunter-fisher-gatherers 5000 BC. Antiquity. ISSN 0003-598X. p. 1–17. doi: 10.15184/aqy.2026.10392. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Deglaciation of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet ( c . 8000 BC) opened the mountainous areas of inland southern Norway for human habitation, but topographic barriers prevented the migration of fish into upland watercourses. Dates from four fish traps found in the exposed bed of Lake Tesse, within the central mountainous region of Norway, are reported here, with the earliest (at around 5000 BC) indicating that Mesolithic hunter-fisher-gatherers were exploiting fish that could have been present within the lake only through human-mediated introduction. These results help illuminate an early example of environmental management, and perhaps even a form of food production, among hunter-fisher-gatherers.

• Mjærum, Axel & Gjerpe, Lars Erik (2026). Avslutning: å samle, å forstå og å dele. 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. 255–259. doi: https:/cdforskning.no/cdf/catalog/view/294/1631/15056. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Dette avsluttende kapittelet vender vi tilbake til Kulturhistorisk museums tre hovedmål for arkeologiske undersøkelser: å samle, å forstå og å dele. Mulighetene for å samle inn informasjon fra utgravninger er enorme, støttet av moderne dokumentasjonsmetoder og arkeometriske fremskritt. Likevel kan masseinnsamling være tid- og kostnadskrevende, og det er lett å bli «oversvømt» av data. Derfor må prioriteringer gjøres. Store etiske utfordringer oppstår imidlertid når relevante data fra kulturminner skal velges (bort), særlig siden man som regel er i ferd med å grave dem vekk for alltid. De kommende årene vil museet prioritere byggeskikk, økonomisk organisering og husholdning samt metodisk utvikling, med spesiell vekt på perioder og regioner hvor vi mangler kunnskap. Samtidig må det arbeides videre med å gjøre informasjon fra utgravningene FAIR (gjenfinnbare, tilgjengelige, interoperable og gjenbrukbare), da dette er avgjørende for forskningen på fortiden og for å dele av denne kunnskapen. I delingsarbeidet spiller også museets fysiske utstillinger en rolle. Kombinert med digitale plattformer kan vi nå et bredere publikum og øke forståelsen av regionens fortid.

• Mjærum, Axel & Rødsrud, Christian Løchsen (2026). Landbrukshistorie fra senneolitikum til middelalder – 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. 139–178. doi: https:/cdforskning.no/cdf/catalog/view/294/1631/15052. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Et avgjørende utviklingstrinn i menneskets historie inntrer når fehold og korndyrking blir sentrale næringsveier. I Sørøst-Norge har åkerdrift, husdyrhold og skogsdrift vært viktig i mer enn 4000 år. Kildematerialet er stort, og det omfatter blant annet redskaper, dyrkningsspor, pollen, korn, frø, trekull og bein, og forskningen på dette materialet har pågått i mer enn hundre år. Kapittelet gir en oversikt over forskningstradisjon og kunnskapsstatus og peker på sentrale kunnskapshull skapt av skjevt fordelt kildemateriale og ensidige prioriteringer. Målet er å identifisere problemområder og tilnærminger som kan styre fremtidige undersøkelser av regionens landbrukshistorie.

• Mjærum, Axel; Eriksen, Marianne Hem; Gjerpe, Lars Erik & Iversen, Frode (2026). Kildegrunnlaget for et faglig program for undersøkelser av bosetnings- og landbruksspor. 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. 25–46. doi: https:/cdforskning.no/cdf/catalog/view/294/1631/15048. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Mot slutten av 1980-årene startet en revolusjon innen norsk bosetningsarkeologi, bygget på kildemateriale fra en økende utgravningsvirksomhet og utviklingen av maskinell flateavdekking som metode. Som en konsekvens var det per 2023 gravd ut rester av 850 bygninger på 245 ulike lokaliteter knyttet til agrarbosetningen i Sørøst-Norge fra yngre steinalder til middelalder. I dette kapittelet gjennomgås den tidsmessige og geografiske fordelingen av disse bygningene, samt andre kilder til landbrukssamfunnene disse bygningene var del av. Gjennomgangen tydeliggjør mønstre som har vært kjent lenge: bygningsspor i kystnære strøk er i flertall, og materialet domineres av bygningsspor fra eldre jernalder (500 f.Kr.–550 e.Kr.). I kapittelet diskuteres både bakgrunnen for disse skjevfordelingene og kunnskapspotensialet dette materialet utgjør. Samtidig sammenholdes bygningssporene med andre kilder til fortidige landbrukssamfunn. Denne «vareopptellingen» utgjør en sentral del av det empiriske grunnlaget for programmet samtidig som kunnskapspotensialet og -hullene som identifiseres i dette kapittelet, danner grunnlag for å peke ut den videre veien.

• B., Grimm, Sonja; Rose, Helene Agerskov; Juul, Katrine Balsgaard; Damm, Charlotte Brysting & Berg-Hansen, Inger Marie (2026). Sisterhood in archaeology: Berit Valentin Eriksen as mentor. In Krüger, Sascha & Groß, Daniel (Ed.), Between Thy and Tübingen. Late Palaeolithic and Mesolithic hunter-gatherer worlds in transition. Studies in honour of Berit V. Eriksen.. Sidestone Press. ISSN 9789464271560. p. 11–24. doi: https:/www.sidestone.com/books/between-thy-and-tuebingen. Full text in Research Archive
• Sørensen, Rolf; Høeg, Helge Irgens & Persson, Per (2026). A new sea-level curve for Bamble, Telemark County, south-eastern Norway. Varia. ISSN 1504-3266. 82, p. 261–273. Full text in Research Archive
• Lindahl, Anders; Reitan, Gaute & Persson, Per (2026). Neolithic pottery — h-XRF-analyses of sherds from Telemark and Vestfold. Varia. ISSN 1504-3266. 82, p. 335–343. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

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• Persson, Per & Reitan, Gaute (2026). Isotopic investigation for "food crust" from Early Neolithic ceramics from the Langangen Vestgård 6 site, Telemark, Norway. Varia. ISSN 1504-3266. 82, p. 329–334. Full text in Research Archive
• Persson, Per (2026). Rocks for Mesolithic stone axe in southeastern Norway and western Sweden. Varia. ISSN 1504-3266. 82, p. 275–304. Full text in Research Archive
• Persson, Per (2026). Shoreline displacement from an archaeological point of view. Varia. ISSN 1504-3266. 82, p. 105–131. Full text in Research Archive
• Persson, Per (2026). The Vestfoldbane project. Varia. ISSN 1504-3266. 82, p. 3–104. 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
• Tamm, Marek; Kala, Tiina; Leimus, Ivar; Mänd, Anu; Russow, Erki & Selart, Anti [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2026). Keskaja Liivimaa allikad. Tekstid, kujutised, esemed. Tallinn University Press. Full text in Research Archive
• Mjærum, Axel; Gjerpe, Lars Erik & Eriksen, Marianne Hem (2026). 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. ISBN 9788202632243. 269 p. doi: 10.23865/cdf.294. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  House and Farm through Four Thousand Years. A Research Programme for Investigations of Settlement and Agricultural Sites from the Late Neolithic to the Middle Ages at the Museum of Cultural History builds on more than a hundred years of archaeological excavations in South-eastern Norway and, through ten chapters, presents up-to-date knowledge about buildings and agricultural communities of the past. Extensive settlement excavations of former farming communities in South-eastern Norway have taken place over the last 25 years, and some of these have provided a basis for new research. Nevertheless, there are still significant gaps in our knowledge. This research programme presents concrete proposals for strategies and measures that will contribute to further scholarly development. As part of this work, the Museum of Cultural History will in particular seek to improve understanding of the social and economic organisation of past agricultural societies in the years to come. House and Farm through Four Thousand Years is written for researchers, heritage managers, students, and others who wish to delve more deeply into the history of dwelling and farming. The book will be an important tool for planning and conducting future excavations of agrarian sites and will serve as a basis for the advice the museum provides in connection with the management of traces of past agricultural societies in South-eastern Norway.

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• Kyllingstad, Jon Røyne (2026). Den vitenskapelige rasismen gjør comeback. 205(36), p. 28–28. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Nathan Cofnas er del av et større miljø som henter argumenter fra antropologi, genetikk og psykologi. Deres viktigste retoriske virkemiddel er å fremstille seg selv som offer for en vitenskapelig elite som holder sannheten skjult, skriver Jon Røyne Kyllingstad.

• Rødsrud, Christian Løchsen (2026). Spørsmål, oppsummering og veien videre. Full text in Research Archive
• Rødsrud, Christian Løchsen & Finnebråten-Staib, Charlotte Nueva (2026). Båtgraver rundt den indre og østre Oslofjorden. Full text in Research Archive
• Rødsrud, Christian Løchsen (2026). Arbeidet med skipsgravene og Norges tentative liste. Full text in Research Archive
• Sand-Eriksen, Anette; Axelsen, Irmelin & Pedersen, Unn (2026). #34 Folkeforskning i arkeologi - Arkeologi på rappen | Podcast on Spotify. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  En Arkeologi på rappen SPESIAL: Hvem eier egentlig fortiden? Folkeforskning ble et sentralt tema i utgave 27 av Primitive tider – nå går vi i dybden. I denne første episoden utforsker vi sammen med Irmelin Axelsen (Kulturhistorisk museum) og Unn Pedersen (UiO) hvordan frivillig innsats har formet norsk arkeologi fra 1800-tallet og helt frem til i dag. Hvilke muligheter og utfordringer har det skapt – og hvor kan veien gå videre?

• Rødsrud, Christian Løchsen (2026). Ship and boat burials near and afar. doi: https:/www.khm.uio.no/english/research/events/viking-congress-2026/viking-congress2026.html. Full text in Research Archive
• McGraw, Jessica Leigh (2026). Korleis finn arkeologane ut kor gamalt noko er? [Journal]. Framtida.no. doi: https:/framtida.no/2026/08/11/korleis-finn-arkeologane-ut-kor-gamalt-noko-er. Full text in Research Archive
• McGraw, Jessica Leigh (2026). Arkeologisk utgraving: Gjer tusenvis av forhistoriske funn. [Journal]. Framtida.no. doi: https:/framtida.no/2026/08/11/arkeologisk-utgraving-gjer-tusenvis-av-forhistoriske-funn. Full text in Research Archive
• Melheim, Anne Lene (2026). Sosial kompleksitet og befolkningsutvikling i Norge 2500-1000 fvt. Med humanistisk blikk på bioarkeologiske analyseresultater. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Foredraget tar utgangspunkt i forskningsprosjektet SCAPES, et tverrfaglig prosjekt finansiert av Norges forskningsråd. SCAPES jobber med problemstillinger knyttet til identitet, etnisitet og kultur i et rammeverk der kollektive handlinger, kunnskapsoverføring, økologi og artsmangfold står i fokus. Vi skal undersøke hvordan overgangen til jordbruk påvirket forhold mellom mennesker og samspillet mellom mennesker, dyr og landskap. 

• Melheim, Anne Lene (2026). Ethnic groups and boundaries in the Norwegian Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  My title leans heavily on Fredrik Barth’s famous 1969 book, which significantly shaped how anthropologists and archaeologists approached ethnicity and culture. Still, the idea of two, or several, different cultures living side by side and in potential conflict, runs as a red thread in research on the Late Neolithic and Bronze Age in the Nordic realm. One of the core problems of this research was when and how the Indo-European tongue arrived. More recent theoretical trends focusing on identity, personhood, and ontology have shifted focus away from the difficult concept of ethnicity. Giving access to information about biological kinship, the aDNA revolution in archaeology in tandem with new linguistic evidence has added another component to this discourse. Isotopes that can reveal individual life-histories add further substance but also complicate archaeological interpretation. A pertinent problem is that these sources of information operate on different temporal and spatial scales. This paper will present some preliminary results from an ongoing project (SCAPES) and show how various types of archaeological evidence can be combined with bioarchaeological information to address ethnicity. Focus will be on knowledge-systems such as food strategies, wayfinding, and ritual practices.

• Sand-Eriksen, Anette & Biørnstad, Lasse (2026). Arkeologenes morsomste funn:– Egentlig litt sykt at et menneske kan ha tygd på den her for 6.000 år siden, og nå holder jeg den. [Internet]. Forskning.no. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  En liten, brun klump er arkeolog Anette Sand-Eriksens favoritt. Den lukter fortsatt av barnåler 6.000 år senere.

• Sand-Eriksen, Anette & Henriksen, Rasmus Dyrvig (2026). – Det er sjeldent å finne noe som dette - l-a.no. [Journal]. Lindesnes Avis. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Arkeolog Anette Sand-Eriksen har vært med på utgravinger av både vikingskip og vikinggraver. Likevel er en liten klump med harpiks funnet på Ime for seks år siden, blant favorittfunnene hennes.

• Zawalska, Judyta (2026). "Eidsborg Rock" - brynestein, glødande mineral og vikingane i den store verda. Full text in Research Archive
• Zawalska, Judyta (2026). Eidsborg Rock. Production and trade of whetstones in the Viking Age. Full text in Research Archive
• Aster, Bente Elisabeth (2026). Managing in a manifold world in The Cultural Schoolbag. Full text in Research Archive
• Loftsgarden, Kjetil & Gullbekk, Svein Harald (2026). Mørstadskatten på Rena – Østerdalen og Europa. doi: https:/klassekampen.no/artikkel/2026-06-01/debatt-morstadskatten-pa-rena-osterdalen-og-europa. Full text in Research Archive
• Smiseth, May-Tove; Wenn, Camilla Cecilie; Gullbekk, Svein Harald & Loftsgarden, Kjetil (2026). Historien om Norges største myntskatt fra vikingtiden. doi: https:/riksantikvaren.no/kalender/riksantikvartimen-hor-historien-om-norges-storste-myntskatt-fra-vikingtiden/. Full text in Research Archive
• Loftsgarden, Kjetil (2026). Den tapte gullalderen. Fjellbygdene, jarnvinna og marknader i høgfjellet. doi: https:/podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/111-den-tapte-gullalderen-fjellbygdene-jarnvinna-og/id1635409693?i=1000757448770&l=fr-FR. Full text in Research Archive
• Mjærum, Axel (2026). Tematur om steinalderboplasser, gamle veifar og mye mer! doi: https:/www.dnt.no/aktivitetskalender/?associations=25353&culture=nb-NO&q=Tema%20i%20naturen. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Presentasjon av steinalderboplassene på Elgsrud.

• Damlien, Hege; Fossum, Mina Augestad & Mjærum, Axel (2026). Ny steinalderutstilling - Historisk museum. [TV]. TV2.no . Full text in Research Archive
• Mjærum, Axel (2026). Arkeologar har funne grava til det som kan vere Noregs første fjellbonde. [TV]. NRK Møre og Romsdal. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  I over 100 år var skjelettfunnet ei gåte. No har arkeologane oppklart mysteriet ved hjelp av med nye metodar.

• Mjærum, Axel (2026). Dypdykk: På fiske i steinalderen. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Hvordan fisket menneskene i steinalderen? Hvilke redskaper brukte de for å tilberede fisk, skjell og sjøfugl? Og hvorfor finnes det fisk i vann som ligger langt fra havet høyt til fjells?

• Aster, Bente Elisabeth (2026). Myldrestasjon om samisk kunst- og kulturformidling. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  En to timers sesjon med dialog om temaer som samisk kunst og kultur, digitale søknadsportaler og deres muligheter og begrensinger, kategoriseringer av samiske uttrykk mm.

• Damlien, Hege & Mjærum, Axel (2026). Generasjon steinalder - fagansvarlig. doi: https:/www.historiskmuseum.no/utstillinger/generasjon-steinalder/. Full text in Research Archive
• Damlien, Hege; Mjærum, Axel & Fossum, Mina Augestad (2026). Ny utstilling viser fram norske steinaldermennesker for første gang. [Internet]. TV2. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Utseendet til de aller første menneskene som er funnet i Norge, er nå rekonstruert av forskerne.

• Damlien, Hege; Mjærum, Axel & Fossum, Mina augestad (2026). Ny utstilling viser frem norske steinaldermennesker for første gang. [Journal]. Aftenposten. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Utseendet til de aller første menneskene som er funnet i Norge, er nå rekonstruert av forskerne. I en ny utstilling på Kulturhistorisk museum presenteres tre norske steinaldermennesker og deres liv.

• Havgar, Margrethe & Rimstad, Emma T. (2026). International Runes. doi: https:/open.spotify.com/episode/2TOM3KCEhjM0HrPcTCuICF?si=RFb8HD7GRRGFyx--_gVvoA. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In this week's episode, Dan and Mags catch up with Ema Tennås Rimstad to explore how runes have been represented in other languages.

• Brouns, Francis; Rusman, Ellen; Firssova, Olga; Waagen, Jitte; Feuser, Stefan & Jacobs, Hanna [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2026). Students’ Perspectives on and Experiences with Seamless Learning Scenarios for Virtual Worlds in Archaeology and Arts History. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Re-constructing the past through interpretation of historical and cultural artefacts and material knowledge is inherent to teaching and learning in domains such as archaeology and arts history. Students need to acquire knowledge and skills to deal with past and present contexts, for example develop analysis and excavation skills as well as applying historical and natural science knowledge (Barbara, 2022; Pollalis et al., 2018). Although students gain understanding and insights on artefacts, buildings, sites, and landscapes from paper-based information - text, photographs, images -, the subject matter is inherently three-dimensional (3D) and material. While some of the sites, structures, objects and artefacts are still available, it is not always possible or feasible to view or handle these. In addition, students need to acquire (inter)disciplinary and collaboration skills when dealing with many aspects of the domain, such as materiality of objects, to understand the way people lived and worked in the past (US department of the interior, 2025). In short, these are complex domains in which students – in particular novice students – may face some learning issues. The advances in technology enable the use of virtual reality and 3D models to potentially counter issues or improve learning. Visualisations of archaeological sites, structures, objects and materials and the use of virtual environments can offer benefits for teaching and learning (DiNatale et al., 2020). In the ‘Virtual Worlds in Teaching Archaeology’ project we investigated if virtual worlds in which students can reconstruct historical and cultural practices and that facilitate action, interaction and knowledge development of the past, could assist in teaching and stimulate learning. We used the seamless learning design approach for embedding virtual worlds into teaching and learning about archaeology. Seamless learning design (Looi et al., 2012; Rusman, 2019; Rusman et al., 2024) is an active learning approach that applies technology to support learning process(ess) in as well as across contexts. As archaeologists through their occupation naturally move through and participate in a range of contexts, for example between a physical excavation site, an (online) library with 3D-models or literature and museum, this learning design approach was deemed particularly feasible in the Virtual Worlds for Learning and Teaching in Archaeology project. Context as understood within the Seamless Learning Design (SLD) paradigm refers to the mental models people create through interaction within an environment and which are partly influenced by the emotional state of the learner. Context is not ‘automatically’ there, but is actively created by learners through their (inter)action within an environment and related mental “meaning making” processes (Wager & Atlas, 2015; Westera, 2012). This understanding of the word ‘context’ differs from the connotation in the archeological domain, where if often refers to the circumstances and the characteristics (e.g. natural surroundings, soil etc.) of the place where an artefact is recovered, that may facilitate the interpretation of an object. The SLD design approach aims to activate students and guides them to use affordances offered in each of the environments in an attempt to stimulate and promote the learning process. Affordances are attributes of something, e.g. an object, instrument or environment, that provide an opportunity for executing some action or activity (Gibson, 1979; Rusman et al., 2024; Westera, 2012). The universities involved designed several seamless learning scenarios for learning problems identified in existing courses that may improve understanding and learning performance of students. The learning scenarios offered various digital alternatives for handling and experiencing historical objects, extended possibilities to experience and study material closely (e.g. by magnifying and turning them), enhancing 2D written material with 3D models and VR, and participating in (intertwined and designed physical and digital) activities offering alternative perspectives on the past, with the purpose to facilitate individual and collaborative sensemaking processes and thus potentially facilitate more effective, efficient and attractive learning. Learning scenarios were implemented in various archaeology and arts history courses at the University of Amsterdam (Netherlands), the University of Oslo (Norway) and the University of Bonn (Germany). In most cases, learning scenarios were implemented as part of a course, e.g. as specific cases or a dedicated number of activities. In one instance - the course about the double chapel of Bonn-Schwarzrheindorf - the course was designed as a blended learning course with activities involving a 3D-modeled virtual world of the ancient Chapel every week, combined with site visits of the Chapel nowadays. Course assessment was aligned with each universities’ assessment model. We explicitly gathered students’ perspective on the use of virtual worlds and 3D‑models through focus group conversations and an online questionnaire that students completed after using the learning scenario at the end of the course. A first analysis of (part of) the data indicates that students were quite positively evaluating the alternative seamless learning scenario’s using virtual worlds or 3D‑models to facilitate their learning and the majority would prefer the use of virtual worlds and 3D‑models in combination with regular teaching and textual resources.

• Brouns, Francis; Rusman, Ellen; Firssova, Olga; Waagen, Jitte; Feuser, Stefan & Jacobs, Hanna [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2026). Students’ Voices for the Design of Virtual Worlds and Seamless Learning Scenarios in Archaeology, Ancient and Art History. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The domains of archaeology, ancient history and art history are all about context: students need to learn how to understand and interpret perspectives on the past, making use of various types of artefacts and environments, to e.g. understand the use of objects or the significance of historical events. Obtaining knowledge and skills is not limited to the classroom but develops through interaction with resources in various spaces and across time. While they can rely to some extent on material remains, written and pictorial resources, quite a lot of knowledge remains tacit and has to be inferred or deduced. In this sense the concept of ‘context’ is very important, but context is distinguished and deduced at various levels, e.g. from the material and surface of single historical objects or from complete archaeological sites. The development of this contextual awareness and analysis skills can pose some difficulties for students, as it requires the combination and application of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to assess, interpret and construct various perspectives of the past and present. Other complicating factors are constraints in time and resources. It is not always possible or feasible to travel to archaeological sites, artefacts are not always available or accessible, interpretation of written representations of historical events and resources is difficult, because it no longer fits our current views and visions, or there are not sufficient lab facilities for students to engage in practical hands-on inquiry activities. Existing educational research suggests some benefits for teaching and learning from virtual reality (VR) and 3D models. The current advances in technology also make this affordable. However, the use of technology in itself does not necessarily make it an effective educational technology to enhance learning. Literature on educational theories indicate that the technology should have a pedagogical purpose and be aligned with envisioned learning objectives, activities, outcomes and assessment, thus supporting effective learning processes (Dron, 2023; Januszewski & Molenda, 2008; Mayer, 2008; Mayer, 2017; Morel & Spector, 2023). Current trends in education show the advantages of educational models that activate learners and stimulate individual and collaborative knowledge construction (Laurillard, 2009). This together with the importance of context in archaeology and related domains, makes the seamless learning design paradigm a feasible approach for the design of virtual world learning scenarios. Seamless Learning Designs (SLD) facilitate (cross-)contextual and cross-boundary learning through technology-supported learning scenario’s using mobile and wearable devices and online technology, looking at the potential learning affordances of each environment and opportunities to facilitate learners in making meaningful connections (‘binding’) between them (Rusman et al., 2024). Context as understood within the Seamless learning design (SLD) paradigm refers to mental models learners create through interaction within an environment, which are partly influenced by the emotional state of the learner. Context is not ‘automatically’ there, but is actively created by learners through their (inter)action within an environment and related mental “meaning making” processes. Research also shows the relevance of involving all stakeholders in education, both in the design of the course as well as in learning activities. Co-design and participatory design approaches involve all stakeholders to capture their perspectives, leading to new design insights. For example, students involve stakeholders as part of course activities to stimulate understanding, for example in landscape architecture, campus archaeology or archaeology community projects (Jeffra et al., 2020; Kempenaar, 2021; Kroot & Panich, 2020; Shakour et al., 2019). In education the value of involving teachers as designers of learning material and scenarios has been acknowledged and stimulated (Garcia, 2014; Garcia et al., 2018; Muller-Schoof et al., 2023; Persico et al., 2018). Students of the ‘High Tech High Graduate School of Education’ even published a guide for teachers on how to involve students in course design and class activities to improve their learning experiences and performance (Bhakta & Meza-Ehlert, 2022). Therefore, we organised two Spring Schools as part of the Virtual Worlds project with 20 students. Each Spring School lasted five days. Students received literature and documentation to study beforehand. These documents were then discussed in a world café format, introducing students to relevant concepts. Teachers then gave lectures and workshops about virtual reality environments, 3D documentation and models, seamless learning design and course design methodology. Next, students worked in groups on the assignment for two days. On the last day they presented their findings. In the first spring school, students were asked to design learning scenarios for the use of virtual worlds in teaching archaeology. Teachers provided the learning problem and the design constraints, such as educational level, target group and learning objectives. Students received handouts and templates related to course design, but were given the freedom to design the learning scenario completely from their perspectives. In the second spring school, students learned about methods to scan and document 3D objects, applied these in various environments (e.g. a church, an excavation) and made these available in a virtual environment. At the last afternoon, students submitted an online questionnaire about their expectations and experiences of the Spring School. Students were quite positive about both Spring Schools. They valued the discussion with teachers and students, experiencing other cultures and international settings. The majority found the information they received in advance sufficient as preparation for the activity, although some participants would have welcomed information on learning design beforehand as well. They would also have welcomed more practical experiences with VR to assist them in designing the learning scenario. When asked what they liked most about the Spring School, respondents indicated the international and cultural aspects, discussion with teachers, discussing and working with fellow students and the group work; learning about VR as an educational application, and experiences with VR environments. They were satisfied with (practicing) the creation of 3D models and making these available in VR environments and learning activities. The Spring School was found successful as one of the participants remarked in the online questionnaire: “in making the students feel secure enough to brainstorm with complete strangers”. As take-home outcomes, participants mentioned the value of designing learning scenarios, the knowledge and application of VR in general and its application in education; the knowledge and application of VR to archaeology; the interdisciplinary approach and possibilities for their future studies and research; and the concept of seamless learning. Even within the short period of time, students were able to design valuable learning scenarios according to the seamless learning paradigm. They proposed a variety of learning activities, combining individual and group work both in-class and out-of-class, using VR to elaborate on and apply theoretical knowledge. Central in their designs were the didactical approaches that promoted learning processes and stimulated active learning, such as inquiry-based and collaborative learning. They ensured that prompts were used in their learning scenarios to direct the learning process. Although teachers saw the benefits of students’ suggested scenarios, they were faced with practical constraints that prevented the full implementation of the proposed scenarios. Nevertheless, the student learning scenarios provided sufficient inspiration to adapt their current learning scenario designs and implementations of (new elements in) virtual worlds.

• Riel, Sjoerd Joost van; Pantos, George Alexis; Handberg, Søren; Berg-Hansen, Inger Marie; Damlien, Hege & Kimball, Justin (2026). Facilitating Teaching with Digital 3D Models of Archaeological Artefacts. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  A fundamental part of teaching archaeology at a university level revolves around the analysis of artefacts. Access to these artefacts for teaching purposes can be limited by practical or safety considerations. For these reasons, but also to enhance the study of artefacts in ways that physical handling cannot facilitate, the use of digital 3D models of artefacts in teaching archaeology at universities has become commonplace. In our presentation, we will present our experiences using digital 3D models of artefacts for teaching undergraduate students. The cases revolve around the development of two learning scenarios in conjunction with the Erasmus+ project Virtual Worlds in Teaching Archaeology. Using the browser based BItFROST platform, the students got access to 3D models of archaeological artefacts. Through integrated functionalities in the platform, the students were given access to several tools for studying digital 3D models, such as measuring- and sectioning tools. Combined with traditional learning material such as handouts and online reference collections, the students used the integrated spots and notes functions to create spatially located notes. This was considered to be a powerful tool, since the ability of the students to observe characteristic features and describe their spatial relevance, are considered an important learning outcome for the courses. The notes could then be sent to, and opened by, the teachers on their own PC, maintaining the spatial relationship between the written notes and the features in 3D space which they describe. The presentation will focus on the implications of these learning scenarios on the teaching as well as how they were perceived by the students, through the results of a survey conducted after the scenarios were implemented.

• Riel, Sjoerd Joost van; Pantos, George Alexis; Liestøl, Gunnar; Samdal, Magne; Kristensen, Steinar & Bonelli, Letizia (2026). Engaging new audiences through digital dissemination of Norwegian rock art. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The Museum of Cultural History (MCH), University of Oslo, has the administrative responsibility for over 2000 petroglyphs in southeastern Norway. The figures range from animal figures representing moose, whales and other wild animals, to boats, people and sun-figures. In the Nordic countries, it was once common to paint rock carvings to give the public the opportunity to see the figures regardless of lighting conditions, but this practice has become controversial for several reasons (Bjelland and Helberg 2006). Since painting is no longer practiced, we must investigate alternative methods to disseminate the figures and create meaningful experiences for visitors. In this presentation, we will discuss several avenues into the use of technology to create such experiences for the public. Methods and materials The MCH is collaborating with local authorities to disseminate rock art in their jurisdiction to the general public. In 2025, work commenced on several sites across southern Norway. 3D documentation produced with an Artec Leo structured light scanner, photogrammetry and Gaussian splats were combined with the detailed interpretations already held in the museum's archives. By exploiting common 3D and GIS toolsets, we were able to bring these interpretations into 3D space, allowing the visitor to switch between the non-painted and digitally repainted versions. Combining this data with publishing platform ESRI StoryMaps and 3D rendering programs provided a powerful tool for communicating some of the hardto experience characteristics of these carvings, such as the dramatic effect the position of the sun, as well as contextualize the rock art and research in simple and accessible ways. Another project at the MCH together with the Department of Media and Communication at the University of Oslo aims to better communicate the people behind the petroglyphs through innovative technologies involves the use of the Unity-based SitSim (Situated Simulations) Augmented Reality platform (Bishop et al. 2025). Still in development, this project will deliver a mobile application which will allow visitors of a stone age rock art site in central Oslo to experience a 3D animated scene of a stone age person carving the petroglyphs, as well as a reconstruction of the surrounding environment around 7000 years ago. Results Although ongoing, some preliminary results have been positive. Firstly, these technologies allow a more interactive form of dissemination. Rather than visitors being passive consumers of information from a sign or brochure, some technologies can include them in the process or exploration and interpretation of petroglyphs. This is especially true for the second project that draws on the potential of Augmented Reality to engage the visitor with their surroundings. Secondly, these technologies allow us to go beyond reality and into the realm of reconstruction and hypothesis testing. By integrating many types of data for the reconstruction of the stone age landscape but, importantly, also considering the people who created the petroglyphs, we are forced to take a holistic approach to rock art. Discussion In the national strategy for protection of cultural heritage, the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren) specifically mentions method development in the documentation, preservation and dissemination of rock art as a prioritization for cultural heritage management in Norway, as well as a need to further develop documentation methods and to utilize new documentation technologies for less invasive dissemination. Many petroglyphs are situated in vulnerable and remote nature areas that require careful management and benefit from methods that allow visitors to virtually visit the sites. Notable examples from Norway include “Virtuelle Vingen” and the 360° virtual tours at the Alta World Heritage Center for Rock Art. We believe that many of the approaches we employed in our projects can be directly transferred and implemented on other projects related to petroglyphs both in Norway and the rest of the world, and provide a useful base for more advanced, and integrated experiences as mixed realities technologies continue to mature.

• Andresen, Astri; Kyllingstad, Jon Røyne & Pilskog, Ingjald (2026). Jon Røyne Kyllingstad: Teorier om rase og human biologisk diversitet – før og nå | Forum for vitenskap og demokrati. doi: https:/vitdem.podbean.com/e/jon-r%C3%B8yne-kyllingstad-teorier-om-rase-og-human-biologisk-diversitet-%E2%80%93-f%C3%B8r-og-na/. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Høyreekstrem ideologi pakkes inn i et nytt vitenskapelig språk, der skallemålinger blir erstattet med DNA-sekvenser.   Raseideer som for noen tiår tilbake var vanlig vitenskapelige tankegods, men som lenge er blitt avfeid som utdatert uvitenskapelig rasisme, er i ferd med å gjøre comeback. Kyllingstad tar for seg forholdet mellom «vitenskapelig» begrunnede raseideologier og normalvitenskapens skiftende teorier, debatter og kunnskaper om human biologisk diversitet fra 1800-tallet og fram til i dag. Jon Røyne Kyllingstad er historiker, tilknyttet Kulturhistorisk museum, UiO. Aktuelle bøker: Rase: En vitenskapshistorie (2023) og Historicizing IQ Testing (2026). Møteleder: Astri Andresen

• Aster, Bente Elisabeth & Rustad, Emma Søøfe Joma (2026). Samisk kunst og kunst kulturformidling i den kulturelle skolesekken: Forsoning, friksjon og fellesskap. Eksempler fra etnografisk feltarbeid. Full text in Research Archive
• Bukkemoen, Grethe Bjørkan (2026). A nexus of perspectives - Viking Age iron and soapstone cooking pots. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  As domestic artefacts, Viking Age iron and soapstone cooking pots are often perceived as mere utilitarian items or as mass-produced commodities. This perspective is related to the substantial increase in the exploitation of outfield resources, which commenced in Northern Scandinavia during the Late Iron and Viking Ages. However, recent works demonstrate the potential of food, technology and household studies to provide a broader understanding of socio-political processes, identity, belonging and interaction in the Viking world, placing cooking pots within a new interpretative framework. Cooking equipment’s everyday presence often permeates them with a capacity to carry and produce both household and community identity. In this paper, I develop this perspective further, by exploring the way in which cooking pots carry social relationships that emerge through and are intertwined with processes of meaning- making within crafts, cooking and funerary practices. Inspired by the concepts of thing power and nexus of perspectives, I explore how artefacts emerge through the effects and potencies resulting from the relations in which cooking pots participate and how they become sharable artefacts that connected communities and created focal points for interaction.

• Aster, Bente Elisabeth (2026). Narrowing the “abyss” in the Dissemination of Sámi Arts and Culture in The Cultural Schoolbag. Full text in Research Archive
• Zilmer, Kristel (2026). Runes in Medieval Norwegian Towns – Inscriptions and Objects. doi: https:/www.hf.uio.no/iln/english/research/news-and-events/events/guest-lectures-seminars/2025/norront-forum-4-juni-2026.html. Full text in Research Archive
• Zilmer, Kristel (2026). “Tyd disse runene”. Om forskning på runer og runeinnskrifter. Full text in Research Archive
• Zilmer, Kristel (2026). Hvordan skrive med runer på moderne språk? Språkprat. Et populærvitenskapelig tidsskrift. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Moderne runebruk er et spennende kapittel i runenes nyere historie. Navn og korte meldinger skrevet med runer er en populær og personlig uttrykksform for mange også i dag. Ved siden av tradisjonelle innrissinger møter vi runer på papir, skjerm og menneskekropp. Denne språkpraten er motivert av interessen som mange fortsatt har for den gamle skriften.…

• Zilmer, Kristel (2026). Visible traces, invisible depths? On writing, language and communication in Viking Age Scandinavia. Full text in Research Archive
• Tapio, Hans-Petter & Spangen, Marte (2026). Trefigurene som utfordrer historien. [Journal]. Ságat. Full text in Research Archive
• Solheim, Steinar (2026). Human–soil interactions in prehistoric Southeast Norway. Evaluating soil amendment from the Neolithic to the Iron Age through stable isotope values of charred cereal grains. Full text in Research Archive
• Solheim, Steinar (2026). Smartere arkeologi eller dummere arkeologer? Noen erfaringer med bruk av KI-verktøy. Full text in Research Archive
• Solheim, Steinar (2026). Are we there yet? Assessing the Development in Open Access Publishing in Norwegian Archaeology. Full text in Research Archive
• Mjærum, Axel (2026). Satte ut ørret i fjellet for 7000 år siden. [Journal]. Jakt & Fiske. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Fiskefeller i Tesse viser at steinaldermennesker satte ut ørret i fjellet for rundt 7000 år siden og brukte fisken som en trygg matkilde under jakt.

• Mjærum, Axel (2026). Fjellfiske med 7.000 års historie. [Journal]. Ságat. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Mennesker satte ut fisk i norske fjellvann allerede for 7.000 år siden. Arkeolog Axel Johan Mjærum mener problemstillingen også er relevant i Nord-Norge, og ser klare paralleller mellom steinalderens ressursbruk og samiske tradisjoner.

• Kollandsrud, Kaja (2026). Åltaket - en oppdatering. doi: https:/www.khm.uio.no/forskning/arrangementer/seminarer/feiring-av-khms-forskning-2026.html. Full text in Research Archive
• Mjærum, Axel (2026). Satte ut fisk i innsjøer i fjellet for 7.000 år siden: – Det var en form for enkel fiskeoppdrett. [Internet]. Forskning.no. doi: https:/www.forskning.no/arkeologi-steinalder/satte-ut-fisk-i-innsjoer-i-fjellet-for-7000-ar-siden-det-var-en-form-for-enkel-fiskeoppdrett/2691853. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Mennesker har til alle tider hatt evne og kapasitet til å påvirke og endre omgivelsene våre, sier arkeolog Axel Johan Mjærum.

• Mjærum, Axel (2026). Hunter-gatherers introduced fish to a mountain lake 7000 years ago | New Scientist. [Journal]. NewScientist. doi: https:/www.newscientist.com/article/2580119-hunter-gatherers-introduced-fish-to-a-mountain-lake-7000-years-ago/. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Many centuries before the advent of agriculture in Norway, ancient people transported fish into mountain lakes to create a source of food, then built wooden traps to catch them.

• Thorleifsson, Cathrine; Engebretsen, Elisabeth Lund; Berta, Ola Gunhildrud; Risan, Lars Christian; Mogstad, Heidi & Flikke, Rune (2026). «En apolitisk antropologi er umulig.». Norsk antropologisk tidsskrift. ISSN 0802-7285. 37(2), p. 112–112. doi: 10.18261/nat.37.2.4. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  NAT-debatt ved Norsk antropologisk forenings årskonferanse 25. oktober 2025, Oslo

• Mjærum, Axel (2026). Britiske arkeologer tror de har funnet protoypen til Stonehenge: – Det største jeg har opplevd i karrieren. [Internet]. Forskning.no. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Var to store stolper plassert i linje med solvervene prototypen til det verdensberømte steinmonumentet?

• Mjærum, Axel; Martens, Jes; Iversen, Frode; Eriksen, Marianne Hem; Gjerpe, Lars Erik & Tsigaridas, Ann Zanette Glørstad [Show all 15 contributors for this article] (2026). Excavated Agrarian Building Sites in South-Eastern Norway, c. 2350 BC–AD 1536 (Investigations 1917–2023). doi: 10.18710/BB725X. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The dataset provides an overview of sites in south-eastern Norway where identifiable remains of buildings associated with agrarian settlements, dated to c. 2350 BC–AD 1536, have been excavated. The sites were investigated between 1917 and 2023. The dataset has been compiled in connection with the preparation for the publication “Hus og gård gjennom fire tusen år: Faglig program for undersøkelser av bosetnings- og landbruksspor fra senneolitikum til middelalder ved Kulturhistorisk museum”, Cappelen Damm Akademisk, 2026.

• Neumann, Cecilie Elisabeth Basberg; Neumann, Iver B.; Haldar, Marit; Haugevik, Kristin; Melheim, Anne Lene & Stene-Johansen, Knut [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2026). Boklansering: Klær - Påkledningens sosiale liv fra bronsealder til Barne-TV. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Klær er mer enn stoff og snitt. De beskytter oss, skiller oss ut, knytter oss til fellesskap og handler både om identitet, begjær og makt. Bli med på boklansering av Klær: Påkledningens sosiale liv fra bronsealder til Barne-TV. Boken utforsker klær som sosialt fenomen, som noe vi tar på oss, og som former oss

• Edqvist, Pia Kristina (2026). Developing Guidelines for Display of Human Remains at the Museum of Cultural History, Uio, Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Persson, Per; Sørensen, Rolf; Høeg, Helge Irgens; Gälman, Veronika; Moltsen, Annine S. A. & Henningsmoen, Kari Egede [Show all 19 contributors for this article] (2026). Vestfoldbaneprosjektet. Arkeologiske undersøkelser i forbindelse med ny jernbane mellom Larvik og Porsgrunn. Bind 3. Stone Age in Telemark. Archaeological results and scientific analysis from Vestfoldbaneprosjektet. Full text in Research Archive
• Aster, Bente Elisabeth (2026). Closing the gap in Sámi art and culture dissemination in The Cultural Schoolbag. Full text in Research Archive
• Aster, Bente Elisabeth (2026). Itches and edges in Sámi art and culture dissemination in The Cultural Schoolbag. Full text in Research Archive
• Kollandsrud, Kaja & Pantos, George Alexis (2026). Hva skjer med Åltaket? Dokumentasjon og tilstandsvurdering. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Dokumentasjon i Aïoli og Qgis, beslutningsgrunnlag, foreløpige resultater av tilstandsvurdering, maleteknikk. Samarbeid mellom digdoc og malerikonservering

• Kollandsrud, Kaja (2026). Jomfru Maria fra Treungen sett i lys av Mariatradisjoner. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Maria fra Treungen satt i perspektiv av opprinnelig arkitekturell kontekst, gruppe skulpturer og persepsjon i middelalderen

• McGraw, Jessica Leigh (2026). Jakten etter urbonden på Rør i Rygge. Full text in Research Archive
• Grue, Marja-Liisa P; Wammer, Elling Utvik; Fawsitt, Sarah; Hobberstad, Lin Cecilie; Rodum, Christian & Steen, Kristina [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2026). Bispevika tomt B8a. Del 2: Skipsfunnene. NMMs arkeologiske rapport 2026:4. Norsk Maritimt Museum. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Denne rapporten omhandler Norsk Maritimt Museums overvåkning av gravearbeider og dokumentasjon av arkeologiske funn og strukturer, i forbindelse med utbyggingen på tomt B8a i Bjørvika i 2019-2023. Tomta var opprinnelig et sjøområde nært Gamlebyen i Oslo, men ble gjenfylt på 1800-tallet. NMMs undersøkelse foregikk parallelt med NIKUs undersøkelser av området innenfor grensen for Middelalderbyen Oslo. På NMMs del av tomt B8a ble det dokumentert sjøavsatte kulturlag fra byens opprinnelse omkring år 1000 e.Kr. fram til bybrannen i 1624, samt en kort etterfølgende periode med aktivitet. I tillegg til et rikt gjenstandsmateriale, som er en kombinasjon av avfall fra byen og ting som er kastet eller mistet fra fartøyer, ble det dokumentert omfattende ballastavsetninger, fjorten bryggekonstruksjoner og sju skipsvrak. Del 2 av rapporten fra B8a omhandler skipsfunnene, mens feltundersøkelsene av kulturlag og brygger beskrives i del 1. NMMS undersøkelser på tomt B8a gjenspeiler at området i tidlig middelalder lå langt fra land, med svært liten aktivitet. I høymiddelalder lå området i utkanten av den sentrale havna, men sporene tiltar betraktelig og antyder trolig at området var mye benyttet til oppankring. Fra høymiddelalder finnes også et vesentlig antall våpen på tomt B8a, herunder både økser, sverd med mer, som kan stamme fra stridigheter i havna. Våre funn indikerer en nedgang i havneaktiviteten i senmiddelalder, som kan samstemme med den vanskelige perioden etter svartedauden og andre pester fra andre halvdel av 1300-tallet. Perioden fra rundt reformasjonen og frem til den store bybrannen i 1624 er definitivt da det er funnet mest fra på tomt B8a. I denne perioden når utvidelsen av havnekonstruksjonene, som tidligere er dokumentert på tomt B3-B7, også inn på tomt B8a. Samtlige skipsfunn gjort på tomten er også deponert i dette tidsrommet eller senere. Rundt reformasjonen begynner en sakte økning av ballastdumping i området, som øker kraftig i andre halvdel av 1500-tallet og fortsetter inn i første halvdel av 1600-tallet. Vi antar at dette indikerer et område hvor det har vært lov til- og kanskje som til og med har vært designert til å dumpe ballast og annet. Undersøkelsene våre tegner videre et alternativt bilde av Gamlebyen i perioden rett etter bybrannen i 1624; da det vanligvis antas at byen blir flyttet til Akershus-siden.

• Kile-Vesik, Jakob Jan Edvin & MacGraw, Jessica Leigh (2026). GRAVFELT. BJØRNSTAD SØNDRE, 2047/1, SARPSBORG, VIKEN. Kulturhistorisk museum, Universitetet i Oslo, Arkeologisk seksjon . Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Bjørnstadveien 50 skall byggas ut till näringsbebyggelse. På uppdrag av «Bjørnstadveien 50 AS» sökte ingenjörfiman «Svendsen & Co AS» om ingrepp i kulturminnet som framkom vid registreringen. Det ligger här ett, sedan länge känt, gravfält. Kulturhistorisk museum har grävt ut delar av detta fält vid två tillfällen tidigare, 2000 och 2006. Man fann då flera överplöjda gravhögar och flatmarksgravar. Den delen av gravfältet som nu skulle undersökas låg på ca 5960 m2. Det återfanns här 181 strukturer men en hel del av dessa avskrevs då det försigått mycket naturliga processer här i förbindelse med en intilliggande myr. Vid denna avbaning påträffades följande anlägg: 31 gravar, 13 fotgrøfter, Sju avfallsgropar, två kokgropar, tre diken som kan vara del av en fotgrøft, tre kulturlag, tre stolphål, två hålvägar, 61 nedgrävningar, en kolfläck och 185 störhål. Störhålen har bara fått ett strukturnummer. Ett tiotal av nedgrävningarna kan symbolisera gravar med ett väldigt litet bevarat benmaterial. Gällande fynd framkom bland annat pärlor, knivar, sländtrissor, en fårsax, en nyckel, en cylinder i järn (nålhus), ett bryne, delar av spänne, fragmenterade benkammar, keramik, ett kleberstenskar och annat. Stora mängder bränt ben påträffades inom gravkontexterna. Den eldste daterte graven inntrer i førromersk jernalder, der to branngraver kan dateres til yngre halvdel av FRJ. Tyngdepunktet i bruk av gravfeltet er i romertid, hvorav 15 gravleggelser havner innenfor denne perioden. Bruken fortsetter inn i folkevandringstid (3 graver), med sporadiske gravleggelser i merovingertid/vikingtid (3 graver). Kun en grav tilfaller perioden som betegner overgangen mellom folkevandringstid til merovingertid.

• Havstein, John Asbjørn (2026). Årrundveien 8/10. Gravfelt fra eldre jernalder, kokegroper fra bronsealder og eldre jernalder. Disen, Oslo. Kulturhistorisk museum – arkeologisk undersøkelse. Rapport 2026/14. Kulturhistorisk museum, Universitetet i Oslo, Arkeologisk seksjon . Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Kulturhistorisk museum gjennomførte i august 2024 en undersøkelse på Disen i Oslo i forbindelse med boligutbygging. Lokaliteten id 281669 lå i to hager tilknyttet eksisterende boliger. Undersøkelsen ble gjennomført ved flateavdekking, der det ble åpnet to felt på til sammen 282 m2. Det ble påvist og undersøkt et gravfelt med fem kremasjonsgraver som har blitt C14-datert til førromersk jernalder/eldre romertid (380 f.Kr.–21 e.Kr.). Det ble også undersøkt sju kokegroper, hvorav tre har blitt tidfestet til bronsealder (1254–843 f.Kr.) og to til førromersk jernalder (385–160 f.Kr.). I tillegg ble det gravd ut én udatert nedgravning. Av gravene var tre urnegraver der brente bein var nedlagt i sveipte organiske kar, hvorav kun tetning av bjørketjære var bevart. Tetningen var stor grad mulig å sammenføye, hvorfra detaljert informasjon om disse karenes konstruksjon har kunnet utledes. De to øvrige gravene var sterkt forstyrret, uten synlige spor etter noen beholder for beinene. Ingen av gravene hadde synlig overflatemarkering, men opprinnelig markoverflate var antatt sterkt forstyrret. Det ble også samlet inn brent dyrebein fra nedgravninger av uviss alder. Totalt ble det gjennomført 13 radiologiske dateringer, hvorav fem på brent bein og åtte på trekull. Alt beinmateriale ble osteologisk analysert, hvorav 2264,7 g er fra menneske og 17,1 g fra dyr. Menneskebeinene er knyttet til gravene, mens alle dyrebeinene er fra usikre kontekster.

• Grue, Marja-Liisa P; Wammer, Elling Utvik; Riel, Sjoerd Joost van & Hobberstad, Lin Cecilie (2026). Bispevika tomt B8a. Del 1: Kulturlag og brygger. NMMs arkeologiske rapport 2026:1. Norsk Maritimt Museum. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Denne rapporten omhandler Norsk Maritimt Museums overvåkning av gravearbeider og dokumentasjon av arkeologiske funn og strukturer, i forbindelse med utbyggingen på tomt B8a i Bjørvika i 2019-2023. Tomta var opprinnelig et sjøområde nært Gamlebyen i Oslo, men ble gjenfylt på 1800-tallet. NMMs undersøkelse foregikk parallelt med NIKUs undersøkelser av området innenfor grensen for Middelalderbyen Oslo. På NMMs del av tomt B8a ble det dokumentert sjøavsatte kulturlag fra byens opprinnelse omkring år 1000 e.Kr. fram til bybrannen i 1624, samt en kort etterfølgende periode med aktivitet. I tillegg til et rikt gjenstandsmateriale, som er en kombinasjon av avfall fra byen og ting som er kastet eller mistet fra fartøyer, ble det dokumentert omfattende ballastavsetninger, fjorten bryggekonstruksjoner og sju skipsvrak. Del 1 av rapporten fra B8a omhandler kulturlag og brygger, mens feltundersøkelsene av skipsfunnene beskrives i del 2. NMMS undersøkelser på tomt B8a gjenspeiler at området i tidlig middelalder lå langt fra land, med svært liten aktivitet. I høymiddelalder lå området i utkanten av den sentrale havna, men sporene tiltar betraktelig og antyder trolig at området var mye benyttet til oppankring. Fra høymiddelalder finnes også et vesentlig antall våpen på tomt B8a, herunder både økser, sverd med mer, som kan stamme fra stridigheter i havna. Våre funn indikerer en nedgang i havneaktiviteten i senmiddelalder, som kan samstemme med den vanskelige perioden etter svartedauden og andre pester fra andre halvdel av 1300-tallet. Perioden fra rundt reformasjonen og frem til den store bybrannen i 1624 er definitivt da det er funnet mest fra på tomt B8a. I denne perioden når utvidelsen av havnekonstruksjonene, som tidligere er dokumentert på tomt B3-B7, også inn på tomt B8a. Samtlige skipsfunn gjort på tomten er også deponert i dette tidsrommet eller senere. Rundt reformasjonen begynner en sakte økning av ballastdumping i området, som øker kraftig i andre halvdel av 1500-tallet og fortsetter inn i første halvdel av 1600-tallet. Vi antar at dette indikerer et område hvor det har vært lov til- og kanskje som til og med har vært designert til å dumpe ballast og annet. Undersøkelsene våre tegner videre et alternativt bilde av Gamlebyen i perioden rett etter bybrannen i 1624; da det vanligvis antas at byen blir flyttet til Akershus-siden. Spesielt i sør er denne fasen som har mest spor etter aktivitet, i tillegg er det overraskende nok er fra denne fasen det er funnet flest konstruksjoner på NMMs side av tomt B8a.

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