Programme
Activities for the current semester
Autumn 2025
27 August: Mats Skare, UiB: Animal Styles Across the Sea – “Strict” Style II as proxy for exchange, mobility, and transformation, c. AD 550–700
Time: 14.15-16.00
Place: Sydnesplassen 12/13, Room 130
Abstract: Abstract
This presentation approaches the topic of mobility through Style II’s wide distribution in c. AD 550–700. The expression is found in archaeological contexts across large parts of the geographic area making up current Europe. Earlier studies tend to focus on provenance, sometimes introducing discordant style definitions. It is here argued that a distinction between “strict” Style II and “Style II-adjacent” expressions adds important nuance to uncover their respective socio-political and politico-religious significance. The differences may reflect transformative processes in which the expressions’ crafters and users responded to specific circumstances within their respective local environments. At the same time, their similarities reveal that this consistently took place within a larger framework.
Some recent metal detector finds of dies featuring Style II-representations from England, and Norway, are examined to address modes of exchange, and mobility. The mechanisms behind their distribution are multifaceted, with valid options ranging from itinerant crafters to the export of dies. A prevalence of “strict” Style II expressions likely indicates stronger connections to an established federation where this was current. Meanwhile, “Style II-adjacent” expressions may represent ambitions of membership or communicating through related frames of reference.
By separating “strict” Style II from “Style II-adjacent” expressions, it is thus possible to consider some of the many intricacies involved in these elaborate chains of exchange.
24. September: Fynn Riepe, UiB: Understanding building materials as agents of change. Roman concrete in northern Syria
Time: 14.15-16.00
Place: Sydnesplassen 12/13, room 129
Presentation in English.
17. Oktober: Mette Adegeest, UiS: The soapstone 'coffee bean sinkers' of Late Mesolithic Western Norway. Preliminary results of an ongoing PhD project
Time: 14.15-16.00
Place: Sydneshaugen skole, Auditorium Q
Abstract to follow
This lecture is given in connection with Arkeologisk forskningsseminar.
31. Oktober: Zanette Tsigaridas Glørstad (KHM/UiO): Jenta med myntkjedet. Nytt om en 800-talls grav fra Søndre Lore ved Tyrifjorden
Time: 14.15-16.00
Place: Sydneshaugen skole, Auditorium Q
Abstract to follow
This lecture is given in connection with Arkeologisk forskningsseminar.
25. November: Panel debate: "Short introductions" to Norwegain prehistory
Details to follow.
The authors of the books «En kort introduksjon til steinalderen/bronsealderen/jernalderen i Norge» join us for a presentation and discussion of the writing process. Meet and chat to Knut Andreas Bergsvik, Nils Anfinset and Ingrid Ystgaard.
Event kindly co-sponsored by Cappelen Damm.