Latest news

Promising results with ground-penetrating radar in Iceland

This summer, archaeologists from Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage (NIKU) have carried out several surveys using ground penetrating radar in Iceland. Preliminary results show that the investigations have already been very successful.

Archaeology — Digital archaeology — geophysical research

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.

Archaeology — Arkeologi — Follobanen — Oslo — Runes

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?

Archaeology — Arkeologi — Follobanen — Oslo

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.

Archaeology — Arkeologi — Digital arkeologi

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.

Archaeology — CULTCOAST — CULTCOAST — EAA

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).

Archaeology — Arkeologi — Oslo

Scientists stumble upon an unknown grave in Svalbard

But the grave and the story behind it is already disappearing in the fjord.

Archaeology — Buildings — CULTCOAST — Research

How Cultural Heritage is threatened by nature and tourists in the Arctic

A group of scientists recently returned from Svalbard after investigating how to monitor, manage and preserve Cultural Heritage in the Arctic.

Archaeology — Buildings — CULTCOAST — High North

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.

Archaeology — Elgeseter Priory — Trondheim — Trondheim

Archaeologists Race Against Time to Save Arctic Sites from Climate Change

New journal paper offers first synthesis of climate change effects on Arctic sites.

Archaeology — Research