Analyses of the skeleton retrieved from the well at Sverresborg in Trondheim in 2016 shed new light on a dramatic story from King Sverre’s saga. Now, researchers know how old the man was, what he looked like, and where in Norway he was from.
Arkeologi
Medieval gaming piece with runic inscription found in Trondheim
When archaeologists from The Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research conducted a last-minute excavation in Medieval Trondheim last year due to a broken sewer pipe, a surprise find was made. A soapstone gaming piece bearing a runic inscription.
Rare rune finds in Oslo
In the last week before Christmas two runic inscriptions were unearthed during excavations in Oslo’s old town. One inscription is carved on bone and this is the first bone with runes found in Oslo in more than forty years. The second is carved on wood and contains a religious text in both Norse and Latin.
A 13th century figure with falcon found in Oslo – but is it a king or a queen?
A small carved figure was recently unearthed during excavation the medieval town of Oslo. The figure depicts a person in robes and crown with a falcon perched on his arm. But is it a king or a queen?
Cultural monuments in Iceland are threatened by volcanoes – NIKU helps secure knowledge
Volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland threatens several protected archaeological sites. In recent weeks, NIKU has been working hard together with the Icelandic National Heritage Board (Minjastofnun Íslands) to ensure solid digital documentation of three sites in danger of being covered by lava.
Past, Present, Future: Archaeological Climate Summit in Kiel
The global state of research on social archaeology and climate change it the topic for this years Summit on Social Archaeology of Climate Change (SACC) in Kiel.
Mass grave mystery in Oslo
NIKU's archaeologists have made an exciting find in Oslo - a grave containing three individuals displaying weapon cuts to the head and neck. The individuals may have been combatants in Norway’s civil war (1130-1240).
New CULTCOAST article
Coastal Erosion Affecting Cultural Heritage in Svalbard. A Case Study in Hiorthhamn (Adventfjorden)—An Abandoned Mining Settlement
Are the remains of the Viking king Harald Hardrade under the pavement in Trondheim?
Archeologists have located what appears to be a burial chamber underneath the pavement in a residential area of Trondheim, Norway. They will now examine if this could be the last resting place of the Viking king Harald Hardrade.
NIKU and EAA 2018
NIKU staff are invoved in several sessions at this year’s EAA conference in Barcelona. Here is an overview.
Rare Arabic-inspired chess piece found in Tønsberg, Norway
Archaeologists recently made a particularly spectacular find in Tønsberg - a rare and richly decorated chess piece.
Mysterious runic inscription found on archaeological excavation in Oslo
Did archaeologists in Oslo recently stumble upon a discarded learning aid? The person who inscribed these runes was most likely still learning how to write.