Plant Remains as Sources to Cultural History in Southeast Norway

Plant remains are valuable sources for cultural history. Humans and animals live inextricably together with plants. This article investigates how a large dataset of botanical macrofossils can give insights into cultural history in southeastern Norway in the period 400 BC– AD 400. In this period, iron was introduced in the production of weapons and tools, which led people to change practices in their interaction with nature. Farming is dependent on a great variety of environmental resources for cultivation and the gathering of food, medicine, and fodder. By combining archaeological and botanical data from 40 localities from Viken and Innlandet counties this article investigates the macrofossil diversity within the localities, as well as the regions they belong to. All archaeobotanical finds from the localities have been systematized and analyzed quantitatively. The results reveal patterns in regional biodiversity as well as a representation of species in structures and features in archaeological sites

Historical, archaeological and linguistic evidence test the phylogenetic inference of Viking-Age plant use

In this paper, past plant knowledge serves as a case study to highlight the promise and challenges of interdisciplinary data collection and interpretation in cultural evolution. Plants are central to human life and yet, apart from the role of major crops, people–plant relations have been marginal to the study of culture. Archaeological, linguistic, and historical evidence are often limited when it comes to studying the past role of plants. This is the case in the Nordic countries, where extensive collections of various plant use records are absent until the 1700s. Here, we test if relatively recent ethnobotanical data can be used to trace back ancient plant knowledge in the Nordic countries. Phylogenetic inferences of ancestral states are evaluated against historical, linguistic, and archaeobotanical evidence. The exercise allows us to discuss the opportunities and shortcomings of using phylogenetic comparative methods to study past botanical knowledge. We propose a ‘triangulation method’ that not only combines multiple lines of evidence, but also quantitative and qualitative approaches. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Foundations of cultural evolution’

Runer som identitære symboler og fagmiljøenes ansvar

Runer brukes som symboler i politisk propaganda på ytterste høyrefløy. For eksempel identifiserer motstandsbevegelsen Nordfront seg med t-runen, Vigrid med R-runen (algiz), i likhet med amerikanske National Alliance, og en rekke aktivister, som for eksempel Varg Vikernes, fører politisk kamp med runer som våpen i ulike bloggfora på internett. Hvordan bør den etablerte vitenskapen forholde seg til den ikke-vitenskapelige bruken av runer? Hvordan bør vitenskapelige fagkulturer forholde seg til politikk og identitære bevegelser? Det ideologiske og politiske budskapet runene forbindes med, gjør dem velegnet til en studie av det mer generelle spørsmålet om forskernes ansvar for å styrke folks historiske og kulturelle bevissthet. © 2017 Fagbokforlage

Pilegrimsspor fra Tynset: En detektorfunnet blymedaljong med kristne motiver

In 2016, a metal detectorist found a circular lead medallion with iconography on both sides in Tynset in the Østerdalen valley. This article studies the medallion’s shape, function and symbolical content. The object is interpreted as a pendant comparable with pilgrim badges from the late medieval period. The motifs are identified as Christian, representing the apocalyptical Mary with Christ on one side, and a passion and resurrection scene on the other. In this article, the medallion is compared to Norwegian and other European pilgrim badges and amulets with the same motifs, suggesting its origin most likely to be Aachen in Germany. Aachen was one of the most visited holy places for pilgrimage in Europe. The motifs can be connected to the Marian cathedral in Aachen, at the same time as expressing religious content regularly transmitted in the late medieval church. By comparing the motifs with Old Norse texts and images, the article demonstrates how the amulet’s religious messages potentially could influence the bearer – possibly a Norwegian pilgrim. &nbsp

Viking Wars - An introduction

Introduction to Viking Special Volume 1: Viking WarsIntroduction to Viking Special Volume 1: Viking War

Irilen på Øverby i Vingulmark

The iril at Øverby in Vingulmark This article presents the first interpretation of a 5th century proto-Norse runic inscription discovered in 2017 at Øverby, Østfold, Norway: "Cut runes in, skilled iril, for Isni”. The meaning of the word iril is discussed in light of the ten other proto-Norse inscriptions in Scandinavia where irils are mentioned. Through analysis of the language, history, archaeology and landscape context of all the iril inscriptions, we argue that the iril in the Roman and Migration period was a military leader, an earl, subordinate to a King. The iril at Øverby was Earl in the medieval shire of Vingulmark. The Earls in this period were located in strategic places in the outskirts of larger habitation areas close to the shire borders. The findings are set in context with among other Danish bog offering sites. We consider the iril a military leader for major warrior groups that fought in Scandinavia and on the continent 1500–1800 years ago.