With the publication of all Funen Iron Age grave sites completed in 1974 an
important tool was created for the study of the development of the Iron Age
on Funen. In gathering archaeological knowledge, grave findings have always
played a significant part. Until the 1970´s the graves represented the
by far largest archaeological resource from the Iron Age on Funen. Today the
situation has changed as a large increase of Iron Age settlements found, has
resulted in extensive knowledge in this field which combined with the graves
provides the most important source for the study of Iron Age society.
The project aim is to make this considerable resource available to the public
and useful beyond Odense City Museums at a national and eventually international
scale in a number of catalogue volumes. To coordinate this work a project group
was established in May 1995 consisting of archaeological staff from the Odense
City Museums.
The ongoing publication of the material from Funen will make it possible to
study the iron-age settlement structure in a large geographically well-defined
area of Denmark for the first time. This will be of great importance in three
fields of work: 1) ongoing archaeological research. 2) easing the establishment
of preservation measures for the remaining settlements from the Iron Age (modern
farming, new roads and construction works in general are a serious threat to
those sites only protected by the top soil),. 3) providing an overview of the
development of houses and the positioning of settlements in the Iron Age cultural
landscape from 500 BC to 1200 AD.
A complete mapping and publication of the Iron Age settlements on Funen can
also help public authorities in strategically planning new construction works.
Combined with the knowledge of other findings from the prehistoric and medieval
times. data on Iron Age settlements will provide an excellent tool when it comes
to pointing out historically sensitive and non-sensitive areas.
Research
A scientific seminar dealing with different relevant topics will be held annually
in connection with the publishing of the volumes. Researchers will be invited
to present papers and seminar reports will be published.
Communication
Construction work and farming are the two most important factors when it comes
to the destruction of invisible sub surface archaeological sites. A brochure
will be made in order to reach the key audience in this respect (farmers, construction
companies, county and state offices).
Publication
In order to make the results of the project accessible to an international audience
a summary will be published in English together with the final volume (volume
4).
Project team: Odense City Museums
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