Community Access to the In-situ Urban Archaeological Heritage as Illustrated by Case Studies in Trondheim, Norway

Ref.: 59
Área temática: 01 Integridad física de los paisajes urbanos históricos
Fecha de recepción: 15/11/2008

AUTORES (* Autor principal)

E. PEACOCK, Elizabeth * (Noruega) - Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

ABSTRACT

Large-scale archaeological excavations of the medieval cultural levels in the city of Trondheim, Norway began in the 1970s as the result of extensive urban renewal, and continued through the mid-1990s. During this period, not only were large numbers of well-preserved artefacts of all material groups recovered, but also substantial architectural structures were uncovered. Quite early on, the decision was taken not only to incorporate some of these architectural features into the new buildings erected - instead of removing them - but also to make these ruins accessible to the public. Three projects in particular stand out: the Sparbanken bank building, the Trondheim City Library, and the Museum of the Archbishops' Palace.

The first project, in the late 1970s, entailed the ruins of one of Trondheim's early stone churches discovered under what was to become a bank building. These remains were incorporated into the basement of the bank, accessible during opening hours, and included a small exhibition of artefacts. The second project followed about 10 years' later. Architectural features uncovered on the site of the new city library were also incorporated into the new building, and are now seen daily by hundreds of library users. The final project, yet another ten years' later, involves the integration of the archaeological remains of several medieval workshops and substantial portions of a precinct wall with the subterranean exhibition area of a major national museum that now stands on the site.

These urban archaeological windows are very different in their method of integration, public accessibility, financing, maintenance, host institution outreach commitment, and overall success, and well illustrate different approaches to offering local citizens (stakeholders) insights into their common buried cultural heritage.

BIBLIOGRAFÍA