Bente Philippsen
About
I studied physics and archaeology in Heidelberg (Germany) and Aarhus (Denmark). After I finished my PhD in 2012, I have had several post doc and other short-term positions as physicist and/or archaeologist at research institutions and museums, centering around radiocarbon dating and other methods for scientific archaeology.
Research
I am the leader of the National Laboratory for Age Determination, where we develop and apply AMS radiocarbon dating, dendrochronology and stable isotope analyses.
My research focuses on radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analyses. I apply those methods to answer questions from archaeology, history and ecology.
Absolute dating methods such as radiocarbon dating and dendrochronology can put events, people and developments on the timeline of history, even though they might be invisible in written sources. With absolute dates, we can compare historical and events and developments with environemental changes to study causes and effects. We can compare the histories of different regions, even though they didn't have a tradition for historiography.
I combine radiocarbon and dendro-dates with contextual information in Bayesian age models to increase dating precision. The contextual information includes archaeological information such as site stratigraphy or artefact typology as well as historical dates or family relations reconstructed by aDNA analysis.
By studying the carbon cycle of the past, I try to unravel the complex relationships between humans, animals, and the environment. I work at enhancing our understanding of human-environment interactions, subsistence strategies, ancient dietary habits and cuisines.
For studies of the present carbon cycle, we use radiocarbon dating and d13C analysis to determine the proportions of fossil vs. biogenic carbon in various fuels, to monitor the effects of carbon capture in nature restoration or with technological methods, or to study the growth of plants and diet of animals.
Publications
Single-year radiocarbon dating anchors Viking Age trade cycles in time
We use a solar storm to anchor the archaeological stratigraphy of a Viking Age trade centre in time. Our methods enable human interactions and cultural, climatic and environmental changes to be compared in archaeological stratigraphies worldwide.
Holocene shorelevel changes, southern Lolland and the Femern Belt, Denmark
We propose a new sea level curve for southern Lolland and the Femern Belt based on 98 radiocarbon ages. There are no indications of a higher than present sea level and no indications of 1–2 m oscillations as reported from other parts of the region.
Reconsidering the Pitted Ware chronology: A temporal fixation of the Scandinavian Neolithic hunters, fishers and gatherers
The Pitted Ware culture presents a return to hunting, fishing and gathering after the introduction of farming. By analysing more than 900 radiocarbon dates, we explore where and how this phenomenon emerged and spread throughout Scandinavia.
Approaches to determine reservoir effects in elk/moose
Elks have been observed to consume large amounts of aquatic plants. But does this lead to reservoir effects in elk bones?
δ13C values of wood and charcoal reveal broad isotopic ranges at the base of the food web
Dietary reconstruction requires good knowledge of the baseline, i.e. the isotope values of the food. By analysing wood samples as a proxy for plant food, we demonstrate that a large variability of food isotope values has to be expected.
Eight New Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene AMS Dates from the Southeastern Baltic
Our study significantly adds to the still small number of existing absolutely dated artifacts from the region and proposes new ways of viewing the Final Palaeolithic and Early Mesolithic chronology in the southeastern Baltic.
2025
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McLaughlin, T. Rowan;
Robson, Harry K.;
Maring, Rikke;
Boethius, Adam;
Guiry, Eric;
Groß, Daniel.
(2025)
Marine exploitation and the arrival of farming: resolving the paradox of the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition in Denmark.
Quaternary Science Reviews
Academic article
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Barrett, James Harold;
Eivindsen, Tove;
Pawel, Daniela;
Rønning, Marte Iversen;
Bakken, Torkild;
Hårsaker, Karstein.
(2025)
Havets elfenbein.
Museum exhibition
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Koivisto, Satu;
Robson, Harry K.;
Philippsen, Bente;
Stafseth, Terje;
Brinch, Marie;
Schmölcke, Ulrich.
(2025)
Fishing with Stationary Wooden Structures in Stone Age Denmark: New Evidence from Syltholm Fjord, Southern Lolland.
Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society (PPS)
Academic article
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Grav, Ellen J.;
Barrett, James Harold;
McLees, Christopher;
Ekroll, Øystein;
Kit, Kovacs;
Lydersen, Christian.
(2025)
Havets elfenbein/Sea Ivories.
NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet
NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet
Exhibition catalogue
2024
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Brinch, Marie;
Philippsen, Bente;
Groß, Daniel;
Kanstrup, Marie.
(2024)
Stone-Paved Cellars in the Stone Age? Archaeological Evidence for A Neolithic Subterranean Construction from NygåRdsvej 3, Falster, Denmark.
Radiocarbon: An International Journal of Cosmogenic Isotope Research
Academic article
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Brattli, Terje;
Grav, Ellen J.;
Risbøl, Ole;
Philippsen, Bente;
Dahle, Kristoffer;
Nytun, Arve Eiken.
(2024)
Kjøpstaden på Veøya. Middelalderbyen som forsvant. Vitark 12, Acta Archaeologica Nidrosiensia.
Museumsforlaget AS
Museumsforlaget AS
Academic anthology/Conference proceedings
2023
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Lucquin, Alexandre;
Robson, Harry K.;
Oras, Ester;
Lundy, Jasmine;
Moretti, Giulia;
Carretero, Lara González.
(2023)
The impact of farming on prehistoric culinary practices throughout Northern Europe.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS)
Academic article
-
Philippsen, Bente.
(2023)
Changing diet in a changing world.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
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Klassen, Lutz;
Rasmussen, Uffe;
Kveiborg, Jakob;
Richards, Michael;
Orlando, Ludovic;
Svenning, Jens-Christian.
(2023)
Ginnerup Revisited. New Excavations at a Key Neolithic Site on Djursland, Denmark.
Journal of Neolithic Archaeology
Academic article
-
Philippsen, Bente.
(2023)
Dating the arrival of humans in the Americas: A debate about the age of ancient footprints continues.
Science
Academic article
Journal publications
-
McLaughlin, T. Rowan;
Robson, Harry K.;
Maring, Rikke;
Boethius, Adam;
Guiry, Eric;
Groß, Daniel.
(2025)
Marine exploitation and the arrival of farming: resolving the paradox of the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition in Denmark.
Quaternary Science Reviews
Academic article
-
Koivisto, Satu;
Robson, Harry K.;
Philippsen, Bente;
Stafseth, Terje;
Brinch, Marie;
Schmölcke, Ulrich.
(2025)
Fishing with Stationary Wooden Structures in Stone Age Denmark: New Evidence from Syltholm Fjord, Southern Lolland.
Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society (PPS)
Academic article
-
Brinch, Marie;
Philippsen, Bente;
Groß, Daniel;
Kanstrup, Marie.
(2024)
Stone-Paved Cellars in the Stone Age? Archaeological Evidence for A Neolithic Subterranean Construction from NygåRdsvej 3, Falster, Denmark.
Radiocarbon: An International Journal of Cosmogenic Isotope Research
Academic article
-
Lucquin, Alexandre;
Robson, Harry K.;
Oras, Ester;
Lundy, Jasmine;
Moretti, Giulia;
Carretero, Lara González.
(2023)
The impact of farming on prehistoric culinary practices throughout Northern Europe.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS)
Academic article
-
Klassen, Lutz;
Rasmussen, Uffe;
Kveiborg, Jakob;
Richards, Michael;
Orlando, Ludovic;
Svenning, Jens-Christian.
(2023)
Ginnerup Revisited. New Excavations at a Key Neolithic Site on Djursland, Denmark.
Journal of Neolithic Archaeology
Academic article
-
Philippsen, Bente.
(2023)
Dating the arrival of humans in the Americas: A debate about the age of ancient footprints continues.
Science
Academic article
Books
-
Grav, Ellen J.;
Barrett, James Harold;
McLees, Christopher;
Ekroll, Øystein;
Kit, Kovacs;
Lydersen, Christian.
(2025)
Havets elfenbein/Sea Ivories.
NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet
NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet
Exhibition catalogue
-
Brattli, Terje;
Grav, Ellen J.;
Risbøl, Ole;
Philippsen, Bente;
Dahle, Kristoffer;
Nytun, Arve Eiken.
(2024)
Kjøpstaden på Veøya. Middelalderbyen som forsvant. Vitark 12, Acta Archaeologica Nidrosiensia.
Museumsforlaget AS
Museumsforlaget AS
Academic anthology/Conference proceedings
Part of book/report
-
Philippsen, Bente.
(2023)
Changing diet in a changing world.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
UTSTILLING
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Barrett, James Harold;
Eivindsen, Tove;
Pawel, Daniela;
Rønning, Marte Iversen;
Bakken, Torkild;
Hårsaker, Karstein.
(2025)
Havets elfenbein.
Museum exhibition
Outreach
2025
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PosterRzadeczka-Juga, Izabela; Philippsen, Bente; Peacock, Elizabeth E.; Juga, Pjotr; Zupčić, Marija. (2025) Biographies of Three Coptic Textile Pieces. 25th Radiocarbon Conference , Krakow 2025-06-29 - 2025-07-03
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Academic lectureMelheim, Anne Lene; Skar, Birgitte; Armstrong-Oma, Kristin; Austvoll, Knut Ivar; Henriksen, Merete Moe; Philippsen, Bente. (2025) Gendered bodies and the adoption of new knowledge systems in the Early Bronze Age. Nordic Bronze Age symposium , Stavanger 2025-06-11 - 2025-06-13
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Academic lectureKoivisto, Satu; Robson, Harry K.; Philippsen, Bente; Schmölcke, Ulrich; Brinch, Marie; Groß, Daniel. (2025) Fishing identities in southern Scandinavia: new data on the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition from Syltholm Fjord, southeast Denmark. MESO2025 - 11th International Conference on the Mesolithic in EuropeInternational Conference on the Mesolithic in Europe , Ferrara, Italy 2025-09-15 - 2025-09-19
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Academic lectureSvarva, Helene Løvstrand; Grootes, Pieter Meiert; Seiler, Martin Thomas; Nadeau, Marie-Josée; Philippsen, Bente. (2025) Variation in bomb radiocarbon in trees along a N-S transect in Norway. 25th Radiocarbon Conference 2025-06-29 - 2025-07-04
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Academic lectureSvarva, Helene Løvstrand; Grootes, Pieter Meiert; Seiler, Martin Thomas; Nadeau, Marie-Josée; Philippsen, Bente. (2025) Sub-annual variation in tree cellulose radiocarbon in AD 993/994 and AD 1054/1055. 25th Radiocarbon Conference 2025-06-29 - 2025-07-04
2024
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LectureSeiler, Martin Thomas; Philippsen, Bente; Svarva, Helene Løvstrand; Khumalo, Wendy Hlengiwe; Kunisch, Erin Hye Soo; Ramallo, Patxi Perez. (2024) Atomer avslører kosthold i forhistorien - og kanskje også din?. Researchers' Night 2024 , Trondheim 2024-09-27 -
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Academic lectureSeiler, Martin Thomas; Svarva, Helene Løvstrand; Nadeau, Marie-Josée; Khumalo, Wendy Hlengiwe; Philippsen, Bente; Grootes, Pieter Meiert. (2024) Tree-ring C-14 origin seen through the Bombspike magnifying glass. 4th International Radiocarbon in the Environment Conference , Lecce 2024-09-22 - 2024-09-27
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PosterSeiler, Martin Thomas; Nadeau, Marie-Josée; Philippsen, Bente; Juul, Kenneth; Rustad, Emmy Kristine; Sammeta, Harika. (2024) Radiocarbon emissions in ash and CO2 from waste incineration. 4th International Radiocarbon in the Environment Conference , Lecce 2024-09-22 - 2024-09-27
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Academic lecturePhilippsen, Bente; Groß, Daniel; Koivisto, Satu; Schmölcke, Ulrich; Robson, Harry K.; Brinch, Marie. (2024) Human-environmental interactions in a prehistoric fjord. 4th Radiocarbon in the Environment Conference , Lecce, Italy 2024-09-22 - 2024-09-27
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Academic lectureKoivisto, Satu; Måge, Bjørnar; Groß, Daniel; Philippsen, Bente; Robson, Harry K.; Brinch, Marie. (2024) When the Sheep goes marching in. Perspectives on the prehistoric Syltholm Fjord, Denmark. 30th EAA Annual Meeting , Rome, Italy 2024-08-28 - 2024-08-31
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Academic lectureRobson, Harry K.; Koivisto, Satu; Philippsen, Bente; Schmölcke, Ulrich; Stafseth, Terje; Groß, Daniel. (2024) SYLFISH: Fishing in the prehistoric Syltholm Fjord – a diachronic analysis. British Museum Palaeolithic-Mesolithic Conference , London, UK 2024-04-11 - 2024-04-12
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Academic lectureKoivisto, Satu; Robson, Harry K.; Groß, Daniel; Philippsen, Bente; Schmölcke, Ulrich; Måge, Bjørnar. (2024) Adaptation and integration: Fishing strategies in Stone Age southern Scandinavia evidenced by stationary wooden fishing structures. 30th EAA Annual Meeting , Rome, Italy 2024-08-28 - 2024-08-31
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Academic lectureKoivisto, Satu; Robson, Harry K.; Philippsen, Bente; Schmölcke, Ulrich; Stafseth, Terje; Brinch, Marie. (2024) Wattling for fish – Stone Age fishing with stationary wooden structures in southern Scandinavia c. 6500–1800 cal BCE. From Forests to Heritage Conference 2024 , Helsinki 2024-05-28 - 2024-05-31
2023
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PosterSeiler, Martin Thomas; Philippsen, Bente; Ystgaard, Ingrid. (2023) Stable isotope measurements reveal use of marine plants in Bronze Age Norway. 3rd Radiocarbon and Diet Conference , Oxford 2023-06-20 - 2023-06-23
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LecturePhilippsen, Bente. (2023) Economical changes in prehistoric Denmark: Insights from radiocarbon dating. Biweekly Colloquium, "The depths of time: narratives on transformations and connectivities." , Kiel 2023-11-06 -
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LecturePhilippsen, Bente. (2023) The freshwater reservoir effect, a tool to reconstruct diet and environment. 3rd Radiocarbon and Diet Conference , Oxford 2023-06-20 - 2023-06-23
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LecturePhilippsen, Bente. (2023) Single-year radiocarbon dating in nordic urban archaeology: Ribe and the importance of context. NUA - Nordic Urban Archaeology , Copenhagen 2023-05-10 - 2023-05-12
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Academic lectureSeiler, Martin Thomas; Philippsen, Bente; Christophersen, Axel; Denham, Sean Dexter. (2023) Marine reservoir effects in early Christian graves from Norway. 3rd Radiocarbon and Diet Conference , Oxford 2023-06-20 - 2023-06-23
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LectureSeiler, Martin Thomas; Khumalo, Wendy Hlengiwe; Philippsen, Bente. (2023) Radioaktivitet for sporing av karbonkilder: Omvisning i radiokarbonlaboratoriet. Researchers' Night 2023 , Trondheim 2023-09-29 -
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InterviewPhilippsen, Bente; Holstad, Grete; Sollid, Eirik. (2023) Historisk funn skjult under vann: – Håndfaste vitenskapelige bevis. Adresseavisen Adresseavisen [Journal] 2023-12-18