Publications
Materiality and Religious Practice in Medieval Denmark ed. by Sarah Croix and Mads Vedel Heilskov (review)
A key insight from the edited volume 'Materiality and Religious Practice in Medieval Denmark' is that medieval Scandinavian religious culture was characterized by performed ritual piety, where devotional acts imbued material objects with sacred significance, fusing the worldly and divine through codified rituals, bodily enactments, and the translation of matter. The study employs an interdisciplinary approach to explore how materiality served as a focus for ritualistic and devotional practices, embodying faith and authority. It examines the agency of practitioners, the interconnectedness of people with things, and the potency embodied in objects, drawing on examples from liturgy, cults of saints, personal devotion, and memory. The volume emphasizes the importance of considering religion as an integrated part of society rather than an isolated subsystem.
The Feasibility of Integrating Wearable Cameras and Health Trackers for Measuring Personal Exposure to Urban Features
A novel approach using wearable sensors demonstrates the feasibility of objectively measuring personal exposure to urban features, such as greenery and walkability, which are linked to physical activity and mental health. The study employed a FrontRow camera, GPS tracker, and Empatica 4 wristband to track volunteers during self-led city tours in Roskilde, Denmark. Machine learning was used to extract urban features from the data. Results show potential for integrating multi-sourced sensor data to advance research on urban health, providing objective insights into how built environments influence human well-being.
Religious heritages as spatial phenomena: Constructions, experiences, and selections
Religious heritage sites are complex spatial phenomena, shaped by constructions, experiences, and selections that reflect both their sacred significance and cultural value. This study reveals how religious heritages are manifested, celebrated, or contested through space, with a focus on European cases such as Roskilde Cathedral in Denmark. It highlights the interplay between discourses of religion and heritage, using anthropological theories to analyze sacralization and heritagization processes. The research employs diverse spatial theories to explore the interconnected dimensions of time and space within religious sites, offering broader applicability beyond Europe where heritage discourses intersect with sacred-secular conceptualizations.
Sacred but not holy: Awe, spectacle, and the heritage gaze in Danish religious heritage contexts
This study reveals that the heritagisation of religious sites, such as Danish World Heritage Sites, transforms their sacrality from a source of religious awe to a spectacle for broader audiences. Unlike traditional religious contexts where sacrality is rooted in piety, heritage sites become focal points for secular constituencies, evoking ontological pride or vicarious nostalgia. The research demonstrates that the overlaying of a heritage gaze on religious spaces inadvertently frames religion as cultural heritage through a secular lens, potentially hybridising religious piety with heritage values. The study employs an ideal-typical distinction between the 'holy' and the 'sacred,' analyzing how UNESCO principles influence the perception of authenticity in these sites.
Sacred but not holy:Awe, spectacle, and the heritage gaze in Danish religious heritage contexts
Heritagisation of religious sites can transform their significance from inspiring religious awe to serving as spectacles for secular constituencies, such as regions or nations. This study examines three Danish UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Jelling, Roskilde, and Christiansfeld—and argues that the overlaying of a heritage gaze on religious spaces hybridizes religion itself, framing it as cultural heritage through a secular lens. The research employs an ideal-typical distinction between the 'holy' and the 'sacred,' analyzing how these sites become focal points for ontological pride or vicarious nostalgia rather than religious piety. It reveals that while heritage may preserve authenticity, it inadvertently recontextualizes religious experiences within a secular framework.
Roskilde Domkirke. Styring af sognekirke og turistattraktion
A new governance model for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, exemplified by Roskilde Cathedral, emerges as a potential trend balancing religious and cultural heritage functions. The 2013 reorganization of the cathedral's governance network, including the establishment of a new foundation, reflects an adaptive approach to managing sites that straddle the intersection of Denmark's religious and museum sectors. This study highlights how such structures can navigate the dual demands of preserving historical significance while accommodating tourist attractions, offering insights into sustainable heritage management for similar globally recognized landmarks.
Book Collectors and Collections: Private Owners
A rare glimpse into pre-Reformation Scandinavian book culture reveals that private collections, though limited in number, played a significant role in preserving scholarly works. The study highlights the bibliographical features and geographical connections of these remnants, with notable examples including Oluf Esbernsen's bequests to Anne de Huderopp and Lund Cathedral Library, as well as Hans Urne's preserved last will. Analysis of noble provenance shows a higher number of such works in Sweden compared to Denmark. The research leverages archival records and library collections, such as those at Uppsala University and the National Library of Sweden, to trace surviving copies and reconstruct historical ownership patterns.
Roskilde – En bygrundlæggelse i vanskeligt terræn
Roskilde Cathedral's location, founded around AD 1000, was strategically chosen to reinforce the monarchy and Church as dominant ideological forces during the transition from Viking Age society. Unlike other towns that emerged from trade or urban development, Roskilde's establishment in challenging terrain—characterized by wetland, bogs, and a high water table—was driven by its sacred significance, particularly tied to the area's numerous springs. These springs, with their mythological and Christian symbolism, likely served as focal points for pre-Christian rituals and continued to hold religious importance in the new Christian kingdom. Archaeological evidence suggests that the site's selection was not due to practical considerations but rather its symbolic and spiritual value, positioning the cathedral on a slope where powerful springs emerged, creating a visually striking landscape. This intentional placement mirrors patterns seen at other contemporary towns like Lund and Viborg, indicating a broader plan to bridge pagan traditions with emerging Christian practices.
The beginnings of Gothic ivory sculpture: recent discoveries in a group of Danish ivories
A recent study reveals that exquisite ivories found in Denmark, characterized by the 'year 1200 style,' are likely the work of a French or French-managed team of artisans. This group, summoned to Denmark around 1220, played a pivotal role in introducing Gothic elements to Danish polychrome wooden sculpture. The research identifies two key discoveries: an Adoration group linked to Archbishop Anders Sunesen, who studied in Paris and Bologna, and the Herlufsholm crucifix figure, which is connected to a large crucifixion group once housed in Roskilde Cathedral. Stylistic evidence and written records suggest a significant French influence on Danish art during this period, highlighting well-documented elite exchanges between France and Denmark.
Romerriget, Vesteuropa og Skandinavien. Kulturkontakter og den danske historiebevidsthed i 1100-tallet
A key insight from this study is the significant influence of Western European cultural contacts, particularly with England and Northern Germany, on 12th-century Danish historiography. These interactions shaped Danish historical consciousness by blending local cognitive horizons with foreign ideas, effectively merging Anglo-Saxon, German, and later French influences. The research employs a diachronic analysis of five Danish works, combining philological examination with historical reconstruction to trace shifts in learned networks and socio-political conditions. Notably, the study highlights how authors like Ælnoth and Bishop Eskil employed exegetical hermeneutics—drawing parallels between Danish kings and biblical figures—to serve political agendas, such as legitimizing local power or challenging contemporary rulers. The Chronicon Roskildense and Chronicon Lethrense exemplify this trend, reflecting growing German influence while asserting Danish independence. Svend Aggesen’s work further illustrates the shift toward French educational networks post-1150, marking a pivotal evolution in Danish historiographical thought.
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