Olwyn Owen

Olwyn Owen is a Visiting Professor at the Archaeology Institute, renowned for her expertise in Scandinavian Scotland and Viking archaeology. She has held pivotal roles at Historic Scotland, including as Head of the Scheduling, Marine and Battlefields team, and currently works as a heritage consultant. A graduate of Durham University, her MA thesis focused on late Viking art. She has directed major excavations in Orkney and Shetland, including Tuquoy and Kebister, and pioneered international projects like the Council of Europe’s Cultural Viking Routes. Her work integrates archaeological research with heritage management, emphasizing urban archaeology and policy development.

Education: MA (Durham University), with advanced research in Viking art and archaeology through scholarships in Sweden and Norway.

Research interests span Norse settlement patterns, Viking material culture, and the archaeology of medieval towns. She has authored over 100 publications, including monographs on Viking Unst and Scar boat burial. Her awards include Fellowship in the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and membership in the Institute for Archaeologists.

Grants and roles include leadership in Historic Scotland’s Archaeology Programme and contributions to EU-funded initiatives. She advises on heritage conservation through roles at North Berwick Trust and chairs a local heritage preservation group. Her work bridges academia, policy, and public engagement, evident in her TV appearances and international lectures.