Peter Skoglund

Peter Skoglund is Professor in Archaeology at Linnaeus University's Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Department of Cultural Sciences. He serves as Head of Subject for Archaeology and is actively engaged in teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels, primarily within archaeology and Cultural Heritage programs. His academic journey includes a PhD from Lund University (2005) and prior affiliation with the Swedish Rock Carving Research Archive at the University of Gothenburg (2011-2016).

Professor Skoglund's research centers on rock art, Scandinavian Bronze Age, landscape archaeology, and public archaeology. His work explores narrative aspects in prehistoric image-making, cultural landscapes of Bronze Age Scandinavia, and the intersection of heritage with contemporary society. He employs both traditional archaeological methods and innovative approaches like multisensory analysis to understand ancient symbolic systems and cultural practices.

His extensive publication record reveals a clear research trajectory focusing on Scandinavian rock art interpretation, with increasing attention to narrative elements, human agency, and comparative studies between northern and southern Scandinavian traditions. Recent work has expanded to include contemporary rock art traditions among the Samburu people in Kenya, creating a unique bridge between prehistoric and living cultural practices.

As principal investigator, Skoglund leads several significant projects including 'Making Rock Art Today – Encounters with Practicing Samburu Rock Art Painters' (funded by Riksbankens Jubileumsfond) and research on Hagbard's gallows in Halland. These projects involve international collaborations with institutions in Australia, Kenya, the UK, and multiple Swedish universities.

Skoglund maintains active affiliations with the National Museums of Kenya and is a member of the Linnaeus University Centre for Concurrences in Colonial and Postcolonial Studies. He contributes to the academic community through the Centre for Applied Heritage, which explores heritage's potential to transform society, and through podcast appearances discussing his research on Scandinavian archaeology.