From rescue to research

New paper explores why excavations took place in Borgund and how 'old data' from Borgund may be re-activated in research. Gitte Hansen is author of the paper, link to the paper is found below.

By: Gitte Hansen

Published: (Updated: )

Trial excavations by Enger and Lange in Borgund 1953-1954
Extensive trial excavations carried out by Riksantikvaren's engineer Cato Enger and Art historian Bernt C. Lange during fall 1953 and spring 1954 revealed well preserved remains from the Middle Ages. The discoveries triggered large scale excavations in the years to come. Photo: B.C. Lange, Riksantikvaren

Between 1953 and 1975, the deserted medieval town of Borgund became the site of Norway’s most extensive excavations of ordinary people's settlements outside the country’s surviving towns. Initially undertaken as rescue excavations, the investigations soon evolved into a research-driven enterprise. The paper examines the background to the excavations and explores why, despite considerable academic and public interest, their results attracted relatively little scholarly attention in subsequent decades. The Borgund Kaupang Project is briefly presented as a case study demonstrating how a major archaeological legacy dataset can be revitalised for new research.

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