Network Origins of Medieval Trondheim (Nidaros)
From the end of the Viking Age and into the Middle Ages, Trondheim (Nidaros) held an important position in Norway and was a seat of royal power. Trondheim also functioned as a religious center, where the worship of St Olav Haraldsson was central and (from 1152/53) an archbishopric was established. Additionally, historical sources, such as Fagrskinna and Heimskringla, refer to Trondheim (Nidaros) as a trading town, and during the Middle Ages one of Norway’s most important export commodities was stockfish (dried cod). Stockfish was transported from the Lofoten area in northern Norway, in many cases perhaps via Trondheim, before being exported internationally, either directly or (particularly from the 13th-century AD onwards) via Bergen. However, little is known concerning trade with stockfish in Viking Age and medieval Trondheim.
This research project seeks to apply methodologies from both archaeology and the natural sciences to gain new knowledge relating to Trondheim’s role in the early growth of the stockfish trade. The work focuses on archaeologically excavated fish remains from Viking Age and medieval Trondheim, contemporary settlement mounds in the Arctic north, Bergen, and also Borgund (another early medieval trading centre) in Sunnmøre. Through zooarchaeological analysis of the fish bones, as well as archaeological study of fishing related objects and the use of historical sources the aim is to gain new knowledge about the exploitation of fish and the significance of fishing for the development of urbanism in northern Europe. Moreover, stable isotope analysis will provide the opportunity to use fish bones as a proxy for trade between the different locations in Norway and internationally.
One novel aspect of my work will be to connect the physical bones found in Trondheim to sites elsewhere in Norway. By applying stable isotope analysis it may prove possible to trace the distribution of stockfish in a consumer-producer network perspective, between locations in the Arctic north, Borgund in Sunnmøre, Bergen, Trondheim and other locations participating in national and international trade.
This PhD research will be carried out in association with the ERC Synergy project 4-OCEANS (https://www.tcd.ie/tceh/projects/4-oceans/ ) and the Borgund Kaupang Project (BKP)(https://tinyurl.com/y2ps6c8w).
