Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gbm5v Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T08:05:34.407Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Maritime Middle Ages—Past, Present, and Future. Some Ideas from a Scandinavian Horizon

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2017

Christer Westerdahl
Christer Westerdahl*
Affiliation:
Department of Historical Studies, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This paper was conceived as a keynote lecture for the Medieval Europe Research Congress (MERC) 2012 in Helsinki. The author himself has gone a long way from the more or less exclusively ship-functionalist perspective he presented at the first conference of this kind, Medieval Europe in 1992 in York. The intention here is to inspire other maritime archaeologists who may be stuck in studying ship technologies to apply their knowledge in contextual and cross-disciplinary approaches to ships, landscapes, and the human mind of the Middle Ages. A few examples of possible ways are discussed, albeit admittedly incompletely. These include a number of examples from the author's own research, which were strongly under the influence of a functionalist and techno-practical perspective in the 1990s.

Cet article fut rédigé comme conférence principale du Medieval Europe Research Congress (MERC) 2012 à Helsinki. L'auteur a parcouru un long chemin depuis la première conférence de ce genre, Medieval Europe à York en 1992, où il avait présenté une perspective navale plus ou moins exclusivement fonctionnaliste. Cette contribution-ci devrait inspirer d'autres archéologues maritimes qui sont peut-être bloqués dans l'étude des technologies navales, afin qu'ils appliquent leur savoir en concevant des approches contextuelles et transdisciplinaires des bateaux, paysages et de l'esprit humain médiévaux. On examine, bien que de façon incomplète, différents exemples d'approches possibles, y compris quelques-uns provenant de la recherche de l'auteur même, fortement influencé par la perspective fonctionnaliste et technico-pratique des années 1990. Translation by Isabelle Gerges.

Zusammenfassung

Zusammenfassung

Dieser Beitrag war ursprünglich als Hauptvortrag für den Medieval Europe Research Congress (MERC) 2012 in Helsinki geplant. Der Verfasser ist selbst einen langen Weg von einer Perspektive, die sich mehr oder weniger ausschließlich auf funktionale Aspekte von Schiffen fokussierte und die er auf der ersten Tagung dieser Art, Medieval Europe, 1992 in York präsentiert hat, gegangen. Die Absicht ist hier, andere Meeresarchäologen, die im reinen Studium technischer Fragen des Schiffsbaus stecken geblieben sind, zu inspirieren, ihr Wissen in kontextuellen und fachübergreifenden Ansätzen zu Schiffen, Landschaften und dem menschlichen Geist des Mittelalters anzuwenden. Einige Beispiele möglicher Wege werden—wenngleich zugegebenermaßen unvollständig—diskutiert. Diese umfassen exemplarisch eine Anzahl von eigenen Forschungen des Verfassers, die stark durch eine funktionalistische und techno-praktische Perspektive der 1990er Jahre beeinflusst wurden. Translation by Heiner Schwarzberg.

Keywords

maritimeshipsMedievalMiddle AgesVikingmazeschurchlandscapemaritimebateauxmédiévalMoyen-ÂgeVikingslabyrintheséglisepaysagemaritimSchiffemittelalterlichMittelalterWikingerLabyrintheKircheLandschaft
Type
Special Section – MERC
Information
European Journal of Archaeology , Volume 17 , Issue 1 , 2014 , pp. 120 - 138
Copyright
Copyright © European Association of Archaeologists 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Adams, J. & Rönnby, J. 2002. Kuggmaren 1: The First Cog Find in the Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden. The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 31 (2): 172–81.Google Scholar
Belasus, M. in prep. Ships and Landscapes.Google Scholar
Belasus, M. 2012. Connecting Maritime Landscapes. Early Modern Views from Two Former ‘Baltic Cogs’. Paper presented at the 13th International Symposium of Boat and Ship Archaeology in Amsterdam, 9th October 2012.Google Scholar
Borg, J., Gustafsson, M. & Sjölin, M. eds. 2000. The Story of the Viking-Age Ship from Äskekärr. Göteborg: Göteborgs stadsmuseum.Google Scholar
Broadbent, N. 1987. Datering av labyrinter genom lavtillväxt. Norrbotten, 1987: 83–97.Google Scholar
Broadbent, N. 2010. Lapps and Labyrinths. Saami Prehistory, Colonization and Cultural Resilience. Washington: Smithsonian Institution, Arctic Studies Center.Google Scholar
Broadbent, N. & Sjöberg, R. 1990. Hur gamla är labyrinterna efter Västerbottenskusten? Markkontakt, 1: 3–9.Google Scholar
Cederlund, C. 1994. The Regal Ship and Divine Kingdom. Current Swedish Archaeology, 2: 47–85.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Christensen, A. Jr. 1995. Ship Graffiti. In: Crumlin-Pedersen, O. & Munch-Thye, B., eds. The Ship as Symbol in Prehistoric and Medieval Scandinavia. Studies in Archaeology & History 1. Copenhagen: National Museum, pp. 180–5.Google Scholar
Collingwood, R.G. 1946. The Idea of History. Oxford: Clarendon.Google Scholar
Connelly, D.K. 2009. The Maps of Matthew Paris: Medieval Journeys Through Time, Space and Liturgy. Woodbridge: Boydell and Brewer.Google Scholar
Crumlin-Pedersen, O. 2000. To Be or Not To Be a Cog: The Bremen Cog in Perspective. The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 29 (2): 230–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Crumlin-Pedersen, O. & Vinner, M. eds. 1986. Sailing into the Past. The International Ship Replica Seminar. Roskilde: The Viking Ship Museum.Google Scholar
Edberg, R. 1995. Låt det gunga om båtarkeologin. Några erfarenheter från Expedition Holmgård. Fornvännen, 90: 147–56.Google Scholar
Edberg, R. 1996. Vikingar mot strömmen. Några synpunkter på möjliga och omöjliga skepp vid färder i hemmavatten och i österled. Fornvännen, 91: 236–42.Google Scholar
Förster, T. 2009. Grosse Handelsschiffe des Spätmittelalters. Untersuchungen an zwei Wrackfunden des 14. Jahrhunderts vor der Insel Hiddensee und der Insel Poel. Schriften des Deutschen Schiffahrtsmuseum Band 67. Bremerhaven & Kuden: Conwent.Google Scholar
Gallén, J. 1993. Det ‘Danska itinerariet’. Franciskansk expansionsstrategi i Östersjön. Svenska Litteratursällskapet i Finland nr 579. Helsingfors: Svenska Litteratursällskapet i Finland. Google Scholar
Gilchrist, R. 2012. Medieval Life. Archaeology and the Life Course. Woodbridge: The Boydell Press.Google Scholar
Goodburn, D. 1993. Some Further Thoughts on Reconstructions, Replicas and Simulations of Ancient Boats and Ships. The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 22 (3): 199–203.Google Scholar
Haavio, M. 1947. ‘För strömdrag rygga de tillbaka.’ Ett bidrag till de folkliga föreställningarna om färden till dödsriket. Arv, 3: 155–75.Google Scholar
Harvey, P.D.A. 1996. Mappa Mundi: The Hereford World Map. London: Hereford Cathedral & The British Library.Google Scholar
Hesjedal, A. & Bertelsen, R. 2011. Skipsristninger bak hovedaltaret i Trondeneskirka. Håløygminne hft 2: 261–7.Google Scholar
Kraft, J. 1977. Labyrint och ryttarlek. Fornvännen, 72: 61–80.Google Scholar
Kraft, J. 1982. Labyrinter i magins tjänst. In: Westerdahl, C., ed. Bottnisk Kontakt I. Tillägg (addition) p 112. Örnsköldsvik: Ôrnsköldsviks museum, pp. 90–101.Google Scholar
Kraft, J. 1986. Labyrintnamn-från Troja till Trelleborg. Sydsvenska Ortnamnssällskapets Årsskrift, 1986: 1–72.Google Scholar
Kraft, J. 1991. Labyrinths in Nordic Churches. Caerdroia, 1991: 29–37.Google Scholar
Kraft, J. 2006. Trojaburgen. Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde, 31: 261–5.Google Scholar
Landström, B. 1961. The Ship: A Survey of the History of the Ship from the Primitive Raft to the Nuclear-Powered Submarine with Reconstructions in Words and Pictures. Trans. Philips, Michael. New York: Allen & Unwin.Google Scholar
Marsden, P. 1993. Replica versus Reconstruction. The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 22 (3): 206–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McGrail, S. 1974. The Building and Trials of the Replica of an Ancient Boat: The Gokstad Færing. Part I. Building the Replica. Maritime Monographs and Reports No 11. Greenwich: National Maritime Museum.Google Scholar
McGrail, S. 1992. Replicas, Reconstructions and Floating Hypotheses. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 21 (4): 354–5.Google Scholar
Nylén, E. 1983. I österled. Med vikingaskepp mot Miklagård. I. Uppströms genom Polen. Visby: Riksantikvarieämbetets Gotlandsundersökningar (RAGU).Google Scholar
Nylén, E. 1987. Vikingaskepp mot Miklagård. Krampmacken i österled. Stockholm: Carlsson.Google Scholar
Nymoen, P. 2010. Skipsbilder i to Telemarkskirker. Nikolay, 110: 33–40.Google Scholar
Ong, W. 1982. Orality and Literacy. The Technologizing of the Word. London: Methuen.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Saward, J. 2003. Labyrinths and Mazes. The Definitive Guide to Ancient & Modern Traditions. London: Gaia.Google Scholar
Shetelig, H. 1917. Skipet. In: Oseberg-fundet. bind I. Skipet. Kristiania, pp. 283–343.Google Scholar
Sjöberg, R. 1987. Vittringsstudier med Schmidts Test-hammare. Rapport 1. Umeå: Umeå Universitet.Google Scholar
Sjöberg, R. 1991. Lavdatering av labyrinter i Ångermanland och Medelpad. Ångermanland/Medelpad, 1990–91: 96–102.Google Scholar
Sjöberg, R. 1995. Labyrinter dold magi i protest mot storsamhället. Tidsspår (Ångermanland/Medelpad), 1995–1996: 101–7.Google Scholar
Sjöberg, R. 1996. Lichenometric Datings of Boulder Labyrinths along the Upper Norrland Coast, Sweden. Caerdroia, 27: 10–23.Google Scholar
Stewart, D.J. 2011. The Sea Their Graves. An Archaeology of Death and Remembrance in Maritime Cculture. Gainesville: University Press of Florida.Google Scholar
Sundt, E. 1976 (1861–1864) På havet [On the Sea]. Verker i utvalg 7. Olso: Gyldendal, Fakkel-bok.Google Scholar
Turner, V. 1969. The Ritual Process: Structure and Anti-Structure. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.Google Scholar
Van de Noort, R. 2011. North Sea Archaeologies. A Maritime Biography 10,000 BC–AD 1500. Oxford: Oxford University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Varenius, B. 1995. The Baltic Itinerary of Codex Holmiensis A 41: A Contextual Approach. In: Olsen, O., Skamby Madsen, J. & Flemming, R., eds. Shipshape. Essays for Ole Crumlin-Pedersen. Roskilde: Vikingeskibshallen, 189–94.Google Scholar
von Busch, P., Haasum, S. & Lagerlöf, E. 1993. Skeppsristningar på Gotland. Stockholm: Riksantikvarieämbetet.Google Scholar
Walsh, M.J.K. 2008. On of the Princypalle Havenes of the See. The Port of Famagusta and the Ship Graffiti in the Church of St. George of the Greeks, Cyprus. The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 37 (1): 115–29.Google Scholar
Westerdahl, C. 1989. Norrlandsleden I. Källor till det maritima kulturlandskapet. The Norrland Sailing Route I. Sources of the Maritime Cultural Landscape. Arkiv för norrländsk hembygdsforskning 24. Härnösand: Länsmuseet Murberget.Google Scholar
Westerdahl, C. 1990. The Maritime Itinerary of the Tax Register of King Valdemar Sejr of Denmark (1202–1241). Deutsches Schiffahrtsarchiv, 13: 325–75.Google Scholar
Westerdahl, C. 1992a. The Maritime Cultural Landscape. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 21 (1): 5–14.Google Scholar
Westerdahl, C. 1992b. Verkehrstechnik auf Binnenwasserstrassen in Russland zur Wikingerzeit. Deutsches Schiffahrtsarchiv, 15: 83–104.Google Scholar
Westerdahl, C. 1992c. Review of: Frank Welsh: Building the Trireme, 1988. The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 21 (1): 84–5.Google Scholar
Westerdahl, C. 1993. The Trireme: An Experimental Form? International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 22 (3): 205–6.Google Scholar
Westerdahl, C. 1995. Stone Maze Symbols and Navigation. A Hypothesis on the Origin of Coastal Stone Mazes in the North. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 24 (4): 267–77.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Westerdahl, C. 2007. Boats Apart. Building and Equipping an Iron-Age and Early Medieval Ship in Northern Europe. The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 37 (1): 17–31.Google Scholar
Westerdahl, C. 2011. The Maritime Cultural Landscape. In: Catsambis, A., Ford, B. & Hamilton, D.L., eds. The Oxford Handbook of Maritime Archaeology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 733–62.Google Scholar
Westerdahl, C. 2012. Labyrinter som gengångare. In: Huldén, N. & Westerlund, K., eds. Bottnisk Kontakt 16. Korpo: Korpo kulturgille, 149–67.Google Scholar
Westerdahl, C. 2013. Medieval Carved Ship Images Found in Nordic Churches: The Poor Man's Votive Ships? The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 42 (2): 337–47.Google Scholar
Westerdahl, C. in press a. Boats, Portages & Texts. On Society and Water Transport in Inland Russia During the Viking Age. The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology.Google Scholar
Westerdahl, C. in press b. Norrlandsleden III. Norrlandskusten under medeltiden. Det maritima kulturlandskapet [The Norrland Sailing Route III. The Norrland Coast during the Middle Ages. The Maritime Cultural Landscape.]Google Scholar
Westerdahl, C. in press c. The Ritual Landscape of the Seaboard in Historical Times. Island Chapels, Burial Sites and Stone Mazes. A Scandinavian Example. Part II. Ghosts, Currents and Winds. Island Stone Mazes (Labyrinths). Deutsches Schiffahrtsarchiv.Google Scholar
Zwick, D. 2012. Lineare nautische Netzwerke im Ostseeraum des Mittelalters? In: Kleingärtner, S. & Zeilinger, G., eds. Raumbildung durch Netzwerke? Der Ostseeraum zwischen Wikingerzeit und Spätmittelalter aus archäologischer und geschichtswissenschaftlicher Perspektive. Zeitschrift für Archäologie des Mittelalters, 23. Bonn: Dr. Rudolf Habelt, pp. 95–115.Google Scholar
Zwick, D. in press a. Auf den Spuren des ältesten See-Itinerars der Ostsee: eine archäologische Zeitreise. In: Huber, F., ed. Gestrandet, Versunken, Versenkt—Faszination Unterwasserarchäologie. Neumünster: Wachholtz.Google Scholar
Zwick, D. in press b. Conceptual Evolution in Ancient Shipbuilding: An Attempt to Invigorate a Shunned Theoretical Framework. In: Adams, J. & Rönnby, J., eds. The Interpretation of Shipwrecks. Södertörn Archaeological Studies. Stockholm: Södertörn University.Google Scholar