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Elise Kleivane is an Associate Professor in Written Culture at the Department of Norse and Celtic Philology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Oslo. She has served as Head of Teaching at ILN (Institute of Language and Literature) from 2021 to 2024 and maintains an active research and teaching profile in Norse philology and related fields. Dr. Kleivane earned her PhD in Norse Philology from the University of Oslo in autumn 2011, following a Master of Arts in Norse Philology completed in spring 2003. Her academic journey has positioned her as a leading scholar in medieval Scandinavian writing culture. Her research focuses on epigraphy, runology, and medieval literacy, with particular emphasis on the intersection of written and material culture in medieval Norway. Kleivane examines how writing functioned in both public and private spheres, analyzing inscriptions in runes and Roman script as evidence of medieval communication practices. Her work bridges philology, archaeology, and cultural history to reconstruct literacy patterns in pre-modern Scandinavia. Recent projects have explored religious texts, biblical translations, and the role of writing in ecclesiastical contexts. Analysis of her publication record reveals a consistent trajectory through medieval epigraphy and literacy studies. Her work demonstrates increasing sophistication in connecting material evidence with textual analysis, moving from specific inscription studies to broader questions about writing culture. The pattern shows strong engagement with interdisciplinary approaches, combining philological expertise with archaeological and historical methodologies. Her research increasingly addresses questions of religious practice, vernacular literacy, and the transmission of knowledge in medieval Scandinavia. Among her significant appointments, she has been appointed to the Language Council's expert council for standardization and language observation (2023-2026) and to the Sources Commission (2023-2026), serving on the editorial board for the National Archives' scientific publication channels. Dr. Kleivane has secured substantial research funding, most notably leading the Norwegian Research Council-funded project 'Letters between runes and manuscripts' (2017-2021) and participating in the NORDCORP-funded 'Retracing the Reformation' project (2013-2017). She currently contributes to the Riksbanken Jubileumsfond-funded research program 'Modes of Modification' (2018-2025) as a member of its steering committee, where her research focuses on 'Texts in the Open and Out of Sight: Public and Private Communication in Epigraphy.' She teaches across multiple institutions including the University of Oslo and Stockholm University, covering subjects ranging from Norse literature and mythology to runology and medieval manuscript culture. Her teaching reflects her research interests in written culture across the medieval Scandinavian world.

• Norse Philology
• Epigraphy
• Runology
• +7 more

Birgitte Skar is an Associate Professor and Collection Manager for the Stone Age and Bronze Age at the Department of Archaeology and Cultural History, NTNU Science Museum. Her research focuses on Mesolithic and Neolithic adaptations, biomolecular studies, submerged landscapes, and cultural heritage protection. She leads the SCAPES project (2025-2028), funded by RCN FRIPRO, exploring social complexity through biomolecular data. Her work integrates archaeology with genetics and isotopic analysis, addressing topics such as migration patterns, dietary practices, and social stratification in prehistoric societies. Key contributions include studies on Scandinavian Neolithic pathogens, Viking Age genetic diversity, and Mesolithic mobility in Fennoscandia. She advises numerous master’s students and collaborates with institutions like the University of Bergen and the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Publications span high-impact journals like Nature and Cell , alongside museum exhibitions and policy-oriented reports on heritage management. Her research often bridges natural sciences and humanities, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding human-environment interactions.

• Archaeology
• Mesolithic Studies
• Biomolecular Analysis
• +4 more

Sheila Dawn Coulson is an Associate Professor Emeritus at the University of Oslo's Faculty of Humanities, affiliated with the Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History. Her expertise lies in lithic technology and prehistoric human behavior analysis using the chaîne opératoire method. She has conducted research across multiple continents, with a focus on Botswana's Tsodilo Hills for two decades. She holds a BA (Honours) in Archaeology from Simon Fraser University (1971), an MA in Anthropology from Bryn Mawr College (1974), and a PhD in Prehistoric Archaeology (Lithic Technology) from the University of London (1982). Her research explores stone tool manufacturing processes and ancient human behavior, emphasizing material selection and technological choices. Key projects include the Landscape Archaeology of the Kalahari, investigating hydrological shifts' impact on prehistoric mobility. Publications highlight ritual behavior analysis, mobility patterns, and geochemical sourcing of artifacts in African prehistory. Her work bridges lithic analysis with broader questions of cultural development and environmental adaptation.

• Archaeology
• Stone Age
• Ethnoarchaeology
• +3 more

Professor Hans Peter Blankholm at UiT The Arctic University of Norway specializes in Scandinavian Stone Age hunter-fisher-gatherer societies and Northern Fennoscandian Metal Age studies. His work integrates GIS and remote sensing with ecological analysis to examine prehistoric settlements, resource management, and human responses to climate change. Department of Archaeology, History, Religious Studies and Theology Research group: Foodways, lifeways and climate change Key projects: LARM Investigations in Interior Troms, ECOGEN – Ecosystem change, ARCWAYS Recent publications focus on: Paleoenvironmental reconstructions using sedimentary DNA Macro-level predictive modeling of pioneer settlements Heavy metal contamination in Stone Age seafood Storegga tsunami impact analysis Historical GIS applications Lithic resource mapping Contact: hans.peter.blankholm@uit.no

• Archaeology
• Prehistoric human impact
• Paleoenvironmental reconstructions
• +5 more

Knut Andreas Bergsvik is a Professor in Archaeology at the University of Bergen , affiliated with the Department of Cultural History at the University Museum of Bergen. His research focuses on economic, social, and ideological aspects of prehistoric societies, particularly Stone Age coastal hunter-fishers in Northern Europe and human use of caves and rockshelters across millennia. Key research themes include the transition from hunting-gathering to farming, demographic shifts in Mesolithic populations, and interdisciplinary cave studies. He leads the COASTARK research group, emphasizing coastal demography and landscape archaeology. Research Trends: His recent works (2023-2025) analyze wetland sites, stray finds as big data, and chronological frameworks for prehistoric caves. Publications highlight maritime mobility, agricultural adoption, and ritual landscapes. Scientific Contributions: While no formal awards are documented, his fieldwork and publications have reshaped understanding of Norway's prehistoric coastal societies and cave usage.

• Archaeology
• Prehistoric Societies
• Coastal Hunter-Fisher-Gatherers
• +3 more

Kristel Zilmer is Professor of Runology and Iconography at the Department of Archaeology, Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo since May 2020. Previously serving as Associate Professor at the same institution (2019-2020), she has held academic positions at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (2013-2019) and University of Tartu, Estonia (1997-2008). Her career spans over 25 years of research in Scandinavian textual cultures with focus on runic inscriptions across historical periods. Her research interests encompass Runology , Epigraphy , and Textual Cultures from the Iron Age through Middle Ages, with specialized focus on writing practices, visuality, materiality, and identity construction in Norse societies. She investigates script-bearing artifacts as cultural interfaces, examining how runes functioned within social contexts and how Old Norse literature is received in modern times. Her methodological approach integrates archaeological, philological, and media-theoretical perspectives. Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent focus on runic artifacts from Norwegian contexts (Bergen, Svingerud, Hole), demonstrating expertise in multimodal analysis of inscribed objects. Her work bridges archaeological findings with linguistic interpretation, particularly examining how runes operated within medieval urban environments and sacred spaces. The 2025 Antiquity paper represents cutting-edge integration of radiocarbon dating with epigraphic analysis. Series Editor for Bibliotheca Nordica (Novus Forlag) Norway representative on International Advisory Board of International Saga Conference Establishing member and former leader of 'Språk og Samfunn' research group Zilmer actively supervises graduate students and leads major research initiatives including the Ui3D project (Understanding and Immersion in 3D) and participation in the Research Network of Urban Literacy. Her grant portfolio includes projects on medieval Bergen literacy practices and Christian identity formation in Northern Europe. She directs the Centre for Viking-Age Studies (ViS) research group and serves on multiple editorial and advisory boards including Kjeldeskriftkommisjonen (National Archives). Her laboratory work centers on the Centre for Viking-Age Studies where she applies 3D modeling techniques to runic artifacts, developing new methodologies for analyzing inscribed objects through digital humanities approaches. Current collaborations with international teams focus on cross-cultural comparisons of medieval writing practices across Nordic regions.

• Runology
• Epigraphy
• Textual Cultures
• +5 more

Asia Victoria Alsgaard is a Research Fellow at the University of Bergen's Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural and Religious Studies. She is affiliated with the SEAS Programme, SapienCE, and AHKR. Her research focuses on prehistoric subsistence strategies, environmental adaptation, and the impacts of colonialism on ecosystems, with a geographic emphasis on South Africa, Mesoamerica, and the Maya region. Key topics include coastal resource exploitation, faunal analysis, and the interplay between social complexity and environmental change. Her education and academic background are not explicitly detailed in the provided texts, though her extensive publication record indicates advanced specialization in archaeological methodologies and interdisciplinary research. She has contributed to projects funded by the Research Council of Norway (Project 262618) and the EU Horizon Europe Program (Project 1011034309). Research interests span archaeological analyses of marine and terrestrial resource use, historical ecology, and cultural responses to environmental pressures. Recent work explores how prehistoric societies sustainedably managed coastal resources and how colonial activities altered animal domestication and ecosystems in the Maya region. She frequently collaborates with institutions like NORCE Norwegian Research Centre and the University of New Mexico. Her presentations include talks at the Society of American Archaeology (2024) and the Southern African Society for Quaternary Research (2024). While no awards are explicitly listed, her active research contributions suggest engagement with academic recognition processes. She has no listed advisees or grants explicitly detailed beyond funding sources. Labs/teams include affiliations with SapienCE (Centre for Early Sapiens Behaviour) and SEAS Programme (Sustainability and Early Societies), though specific lab roles aren't detailed. Her work integrates archaeological data with ecological and historical frameworks to address long-term human-environment interactions.

• Archaeology
• Environmental Archaeology
• Marine Studies
• +3 more

Jeremy A. Beller is a Research Fellow at the Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural and Religious Studies at the University of Bergen. His work focuses on Palaeolithic archaeology, hominin dispersals, and the interplay between geology and prehistoric human behavior. Institutional Affiliation: University of Bergen Research Focus: Human mobility, lithic analysis, and environmental constraints on prehistoric settlements Dr. Beller’s research integrates geoarchaeological methods with Palaeolithic studies to understand hominin dispersal patterns. He has published extensively on the prehistory of Jordan’s Azraq Basin and South Africa’s southern Cape region, emphasizing raw material procurement and landscape utilization. His recent publications highlight the role of wadi surveys in reconstructing Palaeolithic occupation, the significance of refugia during the Pleistocene, and the application of archaeometry to lithic artefacts. These works span field surveys, geochemical analysis, and behavioral interpretations. Dr. Beller has been funded by the Research Council of Norway (project reference 262618) and has presented his findings at international conferences including the Society for American Archaeology, European Association of Archaeologists, and SASQUA Biennial Congress.

• Palaeolithic Archaeology
• Hominin Mobility
• Prehistoric Human Behavior
• +5 more

Gunvor Hilde is an Associate Professor at the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University. Her work focuses on physiotherapy, ageing-related health challenges, musculoskeletal disorders, and digital health interventions. She leads research projects such as 'Stepping stones for successful evaluation of mobile app efficacy for risk reduction of type 2 diabetes' and has contributed to studies on prehabilitation for surgical patients and pelvic floor rehabilitation postpartum. Her research integrates clinical trials, qualitative methods, and population-based studies. Research interests include: Type 2 diabetes prevention via mHealth Geriatric rehabilitation and prehabilitation Pelvic floor dysfunction and postpartum recovery Peer-assisted learning in healthcare education Key publication trends reflect her focus on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in digital interventions, rehabilitation efficacy, and musculoskeletal outcomes. Over 40 peer-reviewed articles and 16 dissemination outputs highlight her interdisciplinary approach to bridging clinical practice and technological innovation. No scientific awards explicitly mentioned. Collaborations include multidisciplinary teams across Norway and international partners like the Scandinavian Society for the Study of Diabetes and the International Urogynecological Association. Her work addresses translational research gaps in ageing populations, chronic disease prevention, and optimizing healthcare through technology and education.

• Physiotherapy
• Ageing and Health
• Chronic Pain Management
• +4 more

Birgitte Skar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Archaeology and Cultural History at the NTNU University Museum. Her research focuses on prehistoric archaeology, including Mesolithic and Neolithic studies, submerged landscapes, and biomolecular approaches to understanding human adaptation. She leads projects such as the SCAPES initiative, exploring social complexity and population entanglements in Norway from 2500-1000 BCE through biomolecular data. Her work integrates archaeology, genetics, and environmental science to address questions of migration, material culture, and cultural transformation. Key research interests include lithic raw material analysis, hunter-gatherer societies, heritage management, and the application of stable isotopes and ancient DNA. Skar has contributed to over 50 publications, including peer-reviewed articles in Cell , Nature , and PLoS Biology , as well as museum exhibitions and reports. She has supervised multiple Master’s theses on topics ranging from Mesolithic demography to Viking Age social complexity. Her current and past projects include investigations into submerged Stone Age sites, the genetic legacy of the Viking world, and the impacts of climate change on archaeological landscapes. Skar’s interdisciplinary approach bridges archaeology with genetics, geochemistry, and environmental science, emphasizing collaboration across academic disciplines and with local communities.

• Archaeology
• Prehistoric Studies
• Mesolithic Research
• +5 more

Julie Lund is a Professor of Archaeology at the University of Oslo's Institute of Archaeology, Conservation and History (IAKH) within the Faculty of Humanities. She specializes in the Late Iron Age, Viking Age, and Middle Ages of Scandinavia, employing historical archaeological methods that explore the interplay between material culture and Old Norse written sources. Her academic journey began with undergraduate studies at Lund University, continued with a Mag.art. at Copenhagen University, and culminated in a Ph.D. from the University of Oslo in 2009. Ph.D. in Archaeology, University of Oslo (2009) Mag.art. in Prehistoric Archaeology, Copenhagen University (2004) Undergraduate studies in Medieval Archaeology, Lund University (2001) Lund's research focuses on fundamental ontological aspects of Scandinavian societies during the transition from Pagan to Christian eras, examining changes in mentalities, world-views, concepts of personhood, and ideas of corporality. She investigates how people related to the past through landscape analyses, grave studies (including grave yard locations and heirloom usage), burial customs (particularly wholeness versus fragmentation), artifact deposition practices, and runestone inscriptions from approximately 700-1150 AD. Her work consistently bridges archaeological evidence with historical sources, creating a rich interdisciplinary approach to understanding cognitive landscapes of the Viking Age. Analysis of Lund's publication record reveals a sophisticated trajectory from concrete archaeological investigations toward increasingly theoretical frameworks. While her early work focused on specific material evidence like wetland depositions and weapon finds, her recent publications engage deeply with philosophical concepts of personhood, ontology, and the agency of objects. A consistent thread throughout her career is the examination of how material culture reflects and shapes cognitive frameworks, particularly during periods of religious and cultural transformation in Scandinavian history. Project leader on 'Using the Past in the Past. Viking Age Scandinavia as a Renaissance?' funded by the Research Council of Norway as Young Researcher Talent (2016-2020) Lund actively supervises bachelor's and master's theses in archaeology, guiding the next generation of scholars through courses like ARK3090 (Bachelor Thesis in Archaeology) and ARK4090 (Master Thesis in Archaeology). Her research has been supported by significant grants, most notably the Young Researcher Talent award from the Research Council of Norway, demonstrating the importance of her work in advancing archaeological theory and methodology. Professor Lund is affiliated with research groups focusing on Materialities – past and present, and the Center for Viking Age Studies (ViS), where she collaborates with interdisciplinary teams exploring the theoretical and practical dimensions of material culture across time periods.

• Viking Age Archaeology
• Medieval Archaeology
• Historical Archaeology
• +7 more

Dagfinn Skre (born 1954) is Professor of Iron and Viking Age Archaeology at the Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. With over 40 years of academic experience, he has made significant contributions to Scandinavian archaeology, particularly in the fields of Iron Age and Viking Age studies. Skre earned his Doctor Philosophiae degree with the thesis "Dominion. Settlement and possession at Romerike 200-1350 AD" in 1997. Prior to his current position, he served as Professor in Historical Archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology, Conservation and History at the University of Oslo until 2010. Since 2017, he has held a research professor appointment that enabled him to complete his opus magnum on the transformation of Scandinavia from tribal societies to kingdoms AD 180-550, published in February 2025. Professor Skre's research spans a wide array of themes in Early Medieval Archaeology, with significant focus on economy, urbanisation, Christianisation, early Church organisation, kingship, and social and political history. His scholarly approach combines archaeological evidence with historical analysis to understand the complex processes of state formation and societal transformation in Scandinavia. He has pioneered research on monetary practices, trade networks, and the development of urban centers during the Viking Age. His publications reveal a consistent interest in understanding the transition from tribal societies to kingdoms, with particular emphasis on the role of trade, warfare, and elite power structures. Skre's work demonstrates how Scandinavian societies were influenced by and interacted with continental European developments, particularly the Roman Empire and its successor states. Recent research has focused on whetstone trade networks and the socioeconomic developments in the first millennium AD. Among his notable recognitions is the Public Dissemination Award from the Faculty of Humanities in 2001, reflecting his commitment to making archaeological knowledge accessible to wider audiences. He regularly appears in media and is a sought-after speaker at international conferences. Skre has supervised numerous Master's and PhD students throughout his career and has led major research projects including the Kaupang Excavation Project (1998-2011) and the Avaldsnes Royal Manor project (2006-2019). His current research continues through the Centre for Viking-Age Studies, with projects extending until 2026. He is actively involved in several prestigious academic organizations, including The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, The Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters, and The German Archaeological Institute, among others.

• Iron Age Archaeology
• Viking Age Archaeology
• Early Medieval Archaeology
• +12 more

Irene Baug is a Researcher in Archaeology at the University of Bergen's Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religion. Her work focuses on resource utilization, trade networks, and socio-political dynamics in the Late Iron Age and Middle Ages, particularly through the lens of whetstone and bakestone production and distribution. She has led projects like the WHEPP (Whetstone Provenancing Project) and the Borgund Kaupang Project, exploring Viking Age trade routes and settlement patterns. Her research integrates interdisciplinary methods, including GIS analysis and geological collaboration, to study topics such as Viking Age urbanization, the transition from paganism to Christianity, and the role of material culture in socio-economic systems. Key projects include investigating the Hyllestad quarry landscapes and their significance in medieval trade networks. Baug has authored numerous publications, including her 2013 doctoral dissertation Quarrying in Western Norway , and has contributed to museum exhibitions and media outreach, such as the documentary The Stone Crushers in Western Norway . Baug's work emphasizes long-term perspectives, linking archaeological artifacts to broader historical processes. She has collaborated with institutions like the University of Oslo and the Geological Survey of Norway, fostering cross-disciplinary research on Scandinavian prehistory and medieval society.

• Archaeology
• Viking Age Studies
• Medieval History
• +4 more

Heidi Mjelva Breivik is an Associate Professor and Head of Teaching in the Department of Archaeology and Cultural History at NTNU Science Museum. She specializes in environmental archaeology, focusing on hunter-gatherer interactions with coastal environments during the Mesolithic. Her research spans Norway and Argentina, exploring climatic and ecological adaptations using methods like sediment DNA analysis and interdisciplinary collaboration. Key projects include the NFR-funded Marine Ventures initiative examining coastal settlements in Patagonia and Scandinavia. She has supervised master's theses on Mesolithic demography and contributed to exhibitions such as 'Neandertalerne' and 'Utterst i verden' at NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet. Her work bridges archaeology with environmental science, emphasizing human-sea relationships and paleoecological contexts. Breivik actively participates in public dissemination through articles in Spor and collaborative museum projects. Her teaching and program management roles reflect her commitment to advancing archaeological education and research infrastructure at NTNU.

• Environmental Archaeology
• Hunter-Gatherer Societies
• Coastal Landscapes
• +3 more

Francesco d'Errico is a Professor at the University of Bergen's Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural and Religious Studies. His research focuses on human evolution, Paleolithic archaeology, and the origins of symbolic behavior. He leads interdisciplinary projects examining material culture, such as stone tools, bone artifacts, and personal ornaments, to understand cognitive and cultural developments. Key Affiliations: Professor, University of Bergen Principal investigator in the SapienCE (Centre for Early Sapiens Behaviour) project funded by the Research Council of Norway Research Interests: d'Errico explores the emergence of modern human behavior through studies of prehistoric technology, symbolism, and social organization. His work integrates archaeological, genetic, and neuroimaging methods to trace cognitive evolution. Notable topics include early bone tool use (e.g., Border Cave), ochre processing (Blombos Cave), and the spread of cultural innovations across Africa, Europe, and Asia. Recent Work Trends: Publications emphasize the gradual evolution of symbolic thought, including abstract engravings, personal adornments, and niche construction. Collaborations with institutions like the University of the Witwatersrand and Bordeaux involve fieldwork in South Africa, China, and France. Awards & Grants: Recipient of the Research Council of Norway's SapienCE grant (2016–2026). Major contributions to international projects like Panga ya Saidi and excavations at Lingjing, China. Advising & Labs: Supervises doctoral research on Paleolithic technology and symbolic behavior. Associated with the Archaeological Materials Analysis Lab at Bergen, focusing on microscopy and geochemical analyses. Key Sites: Border Cave (South Africa): 227,000-year-old deposits revealing plant bedding and bone tools Blombos Cave: Evidence of early abstract drawings and ochre use Lingjing (China): 115,000-year-old bone retouchers and engraved artifacts

• Archaeology
• Paleolithic Studies
• Human Evolution
• +4 more