Prehistoric history in Swedish primary school education: pupils’ expression of empathy after visiting a cultural heritage site

A field trip to Vitlycke, a UNESCO-listed rock carving site in Sweden, significantly enhanced primary school pupils' historical empathy by integrating cognitive and affective dimensions. The study found that immersive sensory experiences deepened their understanding of Bronze Age life while fostering emotional connections, demonstrating the importance of both imagination and structured follow-up in developing empathy. This approach broadens the potential for educational engagement with cultural heritage sites.

Almqvist Nielsen, L. (2023). Prehistoric history in Swedish primary school education: pupils’ expression of empathy after visiting a cultural heritage site. Education 3-13, 53(3), 378–392. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2023.2191631