I have researched landscapes and resource utilization in rural areas during the Late Iron Age and the Middle Ages, with a connection to trade and urban communities. The main focus has been on large-scale production aimed at long-distance trade and various forms of transactions, where different types of quarries and stone products have served as proxies for resource utilization and trade. Maritime networks are being investigated, and the archaeological material is studied in relation to social, economic, and socio-political conditions in a long-term perspective. My work is largely based on method development and extensive interdisciplinary collaboration with various geological environments.

Another topic I am interested in is the transition between paganism and Christianity. Interdisciplinary GIS-based landscape studies and a broad range of sources are used to investigate how the mechanisms between central areas in the Viking Age, the development of the medieval Kingdom, and the early medieval churches have functioned.

Other

• Baug, Irene (2025). Fjernhandel i vikingtiden. (external link)

Academic lecture

• Baug, Irene (2025). Hogget i stein – tverrfagleg samarbeid i studie av produksjon og handel med ulike steinprodukt. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2025). Resource exploitation and trade in small- and larger- scale networks. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2024). Handel og nettverk i vikingtid og mellomalder. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2024). Whetstones from Mostadmarka - outfield resources with far-reaching importance. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2024). Whetstone trade - connecting people and places. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2023). Viking Age urbanisation and long-distance trade. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2023). Vestlandet og kontakten over Nordsjøen. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2022). Viking Age urbanisation and long-distance trade. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2021). Eidsborgbryner – frå fjerne utmarksområder til sentrale marknadar. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2021). Borgund’s role in national distribution networks for the trade in-, and consumption of Norwegian whetstones. (external link)
• Jansen, Øystein James; Baug, Irene (2019). Borgund’s role in national distribution networks for the trade in-, and consumption of Norwegian whetstones. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2019). Gulatinget sett i eit arkeologisk lys. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2019). A world of stone – distribution and trade of whetstones in the Viking Age and the Middle Ages. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2018). Vikings in Ireland and their influence on Scandinavian society. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2017). Steinkrossane på Vestlandet - markering av makt og kristendom?. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2017). Whetstones in Ribe - commodities from Norway?. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2016). Brynesteinshandel i vikingtid og mellomalder – Distribusjon, transaksjonsformer og nettverk i eit langtidsperspektiv. (external link)
• Baug, Irene; Løland, Torbjørn (2009). The geologist, the archaeologist and the craftsman – an interdisciplinary research in quernstone quarries in Hyllestad in Western Norway. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2006). Bergverksdrift i yngre jernalder og middelalder. Presentasjon av et forskningsprosjekt. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2005). Soapstone artefacts from Kaupang. (external link)
• Baug, Irene; Jansen, Øystein James (2004). Whetstones from Borgund and national distribution networks. (external link)

Academic article

• Baug, Irene; Skre, Dagfinn; Røhr, Torkil Sørlie et al. (2025). Viking Age economics: implications of industrial commodity production. (external link)
• Baug, Irene; Filipowiak, Wojciech; Jansen, Øystein James et al. (2024). Norse Whetstones in Slavic Areas - Indicators of Long-Distance Networks During the Viking Age and the Middle Ages. (external link)
• Baug, Irene; Heldal, Tom; Jansen, Øystein James et al. (2020). Brynesteiner i Ribe – fra fjerne utmarksområder til sentrale markeder. (external link)
• Baug, Irene; Skre, Dagfinn; Heldal, Tom et al. (2018). The beginning of the Viking Age in the West. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2016). Lokalsamfunn, regionar og nettverk i mellomalderen - ulike arkeologiske tilnærmingar. (external link)

Lecture

• Baug, Irene; Jansen, Øystein James (2024). Hones in Borgund, trade networks. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2024). Steinkrossane frå Hyllestad. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2024). Stein som husholdsprodukt og handelsvare i middelalderens Bergen. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2024). Bergen 1320 - Time travel with modern technology. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2023). Vikingtidas begynning - handel og plyndring. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2022). Skandinavia i vikingtid - handel, nettverk og plyndring. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2020). Bergen Anno 1320. Bli med tilbake til middelalderens Bergen. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2019). Trønderske bryner gir ny kunnskap om handel og plyndringar i vikingtid. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2019). Mellomalderklynga - samt litt om Alrekstad og vikingtid. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2018). Det grå gullet – stein som handelsvare i middelalderens Bergen. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2017). Bakstehellene - produksjon og handel. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2015). Archaeology and Geology - Cooperation with exciting results. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2014). Historical overview of the quernstone quarry landscape. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2014). Vegen vidare – nye prosjekt og formidling av kvernsteinshistoria. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2014). Delimitation of the nominated properties and the buffer zone. (external link)
• Baug, Irene; Jansen, Øystein James (2013). Arkeologi+Geologi=Sant. Erfaringer fra et tverrfaglig forskningsprosjekt. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2009). Produksjon av steinkrossar i Hyllestad. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2009). Produksjon av steinkrossar i Hyllestad. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2009). Steinbrot og steinkrossar. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2006). Med arkeolog og geolog i steinhoggarane sine fotefar tusen år etter. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2005). Stein som handelsvare. (external link)

Popular scientific chapter/article

• Baug, Irene; Heldal, Tom (2024). Eidsborg. Bryneberget. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2024). Det grå gullet. (external link)

Interview

• Baug, Irene (2024). Kyrkjer i Bergen du aldri har sett. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2022). Slike steiner er trolig noe av det første vikingene solgte til utlandet. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2022). Forskningsdagane i gong i Bergen. (external link)
• Dunn, Sarah; Hansen, Gitte; Baug, Irene et al. (2022). Uncovering the secrets of a Forgotten Viking Town. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2022). Every Viking owned a stone like this - and they traded massive quantities of them too.. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2022). Slike steiner er trolig noe av det første vikingene solgte til utlandet. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2020). Tilbake til middelalderen. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2020). Informasjon om mellomalderen i Bergen, og mellomalderveka 2020.. (external link)
• Jansen, Øystein James; Baug, Irene (2019). UiB-forskarar har funne ut kvifor vikingane reiste vestover. (external link)
• Baug, Irene; Hansen, Gitte; Genberg, Hilde (2009). Fekk sjå steinkrossane. (external link)
• Baug, Irene; Hansen, Gitte; Volle, Vegar (2009). Unike steinkrossfunn presenterte i Hyllestad. (external link)
• Baug, Irene; Hansen, Gitte; Bygnes, Per et al. (2009). God start på kulturminneåret. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2008). Industrieventyret i Vikingtida. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2008). Den kristne kunstindustrien vaknar. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2008). Fann steinkrossar frå mellomalderen. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2008). Fann steinkrossar frå mellomalderen. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2008). Funn av steinkrossar i Hyllestad. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2008). Fann vikingkrossar i Hyllestad. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2008). Unike funn frå vikingtida. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2006). Leitar etter tidsspor. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2006). Intervju i NRK Sogn og Fjordane. (external link)

Masters thesis

• Hansen, Gitte; Engvik, Martine Førland; Baug, Irene et al. (2023). A bakestones journey to Borgund. An archaeological study of Borgund’s role in the trade of bakestones in Western Norway between the 11th and 16th century. (external link)

Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

• Baug, Irene; Skre, Dagfinn; Røhr, Torkil Sørlie et al. (2023). Whetstones and touchstones. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2022). Brynesteinsproduksjonen i Eidsborg - frå steinbrot til marknad. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2022). Outland exploitation and long-distance trade AD 700–1200 – seen in the light of whetstone production and distribution. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2018). Foodways, traditions and identity: Bakestones in the North Atlantic. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2017). Bakestones - Production and Trade in the Middle Ages. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2017). Soapstone vessels and quernstones as commodities in the Viking Age and Middle Ages. (external link)
• Hansen, Gitte; Baug, Irene; Ashby, Steven P. (2015). Everyday products in the Middle Ages: Crafts, Consumption and the Individual in Northern Europe c. AD 800-1600: An Introduction. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2015). Stones for Bread. Regional Differences and Changes in Scandinavian Food Traditions Related to the Use of Quernstones, Bakestones and Soapstone Vessels c. 850-1500. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2015). Actors in quarrying. Production and distribution of quernstones and bakestones during the Viking Age and the Middle Ages. (external link)
• Baug, Irene; Jansen, Øystein James (2014). Did the North Atlantic region constitute a market for quernstones from Norway during the Viking Age and the Middle Ages?. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2011). Soapstone Finds. (external link)
• Baug, Irene; Løland, Torbjørn (2011). The millstone quarries in Hyllestad: an arena of research and education. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2007). Prehistoric Quarrying on the west coast of Norway - the production of quernstones, millstones and crosses in Hyllestd, Sogn og Fjordane. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2006). Stein som handelsvare. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2006). The Quarries in Hyllestad - Production of Quernstones and Millstones in Western Norway. (external link)

Programme participation

• Baug, Irene (2019). God ettermiddag Sogn og Fjordane. Distriktsprogram - NRK Sogn og Fjordane.. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2019). Det umulige landet. (external link)
• Baug, Irene; Guddal, Silje Kristin (2015). God ettermiddag Sogn og Fjordane. (external link)
• Ihlebæk, Jan Henrik; Hansen, Gitte; Baug, Irene (2015). Museum. Vanlige folk i middelalderen. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2014). Die Frauen der Wikinger. (external link)

Poster

• Baug, Irene; Pohl, Meinrad (2018). Reformation before 1537? Transition of ecclesiastical property in Norway into the hands of the nobility.. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2018). Stone crosses in Norway – manifestation of power and Christianity?. (external link)
• Baug, Irene; Jansen, Øystein James (2015). Stone for Bread and Church. (external link)

Popular scientific article

• Baug, Irene (2017). Bakstehellene - masseproduksjon, hushaldsprodukt og handelsvarer frå mellomalderen. (external link)
• Baug, Irene; Jansen, Øystein James (2012). I Vesterled - på jakt etter norsk kvernstein. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2008). Steinkrossbrotet i Hyllestad. (external link)

Academic monograph

• Baug, Irene (2015). Quarrying in Western Norway. An archaeological study of production and distribution in the Viking period and Middle Ages. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2002). Kvernsteinsbrota i Hyllestad. Arkeologiske punktundersøkingar i steinbrotsområdet i Hyllestad i sogn og Fjordane. (external link)

Academic anthology/Conference proceedings

• Hansen, Gitte; Ashby, Steven P.; Baug, Irene (2015). Everyday Products in the Middle Ages: Crafts, Consumption and the Individual in Northern Europe c. AD 800-1600. (external link)
• Baug, Irene; Mygland, Sigrid Samset; Larsen, Janicke (2015). Nordic Middle Ages - Artefacts, Landscapes and Society. Essays in Honour of Ingvild Øye on her 70th Birthday.. (external link)

Book review

• Baug, Irene (2015). Bokanmelding: Live Johannesen og Jan-Erik G. Eriksson (Red.) Faglig program for middelalderarkeologi. Byer, sakrale steder, befestninger og borger. Riksantikvaren.. (external link)

Chapter

• Baug, Irene (2015). Lavik som kyrkjestad i mellomalderen. (external link)
• Baug, Irene (2013). Steinbrota i Ølve - ei klosterdriven verksemd?. (external link)

Museum exhibition

• Baug, Irene (2014). Den historiske Vestlandskysten. (external link)

Report

• Baug, Irene (2014). Hyllestad quernstone quarries. Management plan 2012-2015. UNESCO World Heritage List. Viking Age Sites in Northern Europe. Prepared by the working group for World Heritage status for Hyllestad quernstone quarries. (external link)

Doctoral dissertation

• Baug, Irene (2013). Quarrying in Western Norway – An archaeological study of production and distribution in the Viking period and the Middle Ages. (external link)

See a complete overview of publications in Cristin.

WHEPP the Whetstone Provenancing Project. The aim  is to explore AD 1st–9th-century trade routes and networks involving the western Scandinavian Peninsula. This will be achieved by provenancing whetstones retrieved from well-dated archaeological sites in Scandinavia, in the Baltic, and along the southern North Sea and English Channel coasts. This is an interdisciplinary and interinstitutionally collaboration between UiB, UiO and NGU - as well as some foreign researchers that are attached to parts of the project. WHEPP is financed by The Avaldsnes Royal Manor Project, University of Oslo.

The Borgund Kaupang Project. Life and death of a small town in the periphery of Europe. The aim of the project is to study Borgund’s role in national distribution networks for the trade in-, and consumption ofNorwegian hones: Was Borgund a hub in a trade network for Norwegian hones? And what were the hones used for at Borgund? C. 400 hones from Borgund will be classified and the stones identified using archaeological classificationmethods and different geological analyses. Øystein J. Jansen at the University Museum of Bergen is a collaboration partner in the project. https://app.cristin.no/projects/show.jsf?id=647273.

I am a participant in the project Eidsborg rock, which focuses on production and trade of whetstones in the late Iron Age from the quarry site Eidsborg in Telemark. The project is lead by Museum of Cultural History at the University of Oslo, and is financed by The Research Council of Norway, grant 341213.