Material Culture on Display

The role of material culture in medieval archaeology has been underutilized, particularly in display contexts. This study reveals that the first two permanent exhibitions at Bryggen Museum (1976 and 1986), Norway's only dedicated medieval archaeological museum, prioritized written sources over archaeological artifacts, reflecting an early phase in medieval archaeology where historical narratives dominated. Despite the museum's archaeological focus, objects were largely used illustratively rather than as primary evidence. This pattern suggests a broader trend in Scandinavian urban research during this period, shaped by a short research history and strong historical discipline influence.

Mygland, S. S. (2024). Material Culture on Display. Archaeological Accessory or Science-Based Medieval Mediator? META – Historiskarkeologisk Tidskrift, 9–28. https://doi.org/10.59008/meta.2024.22651