Research on Conservation State and Preservation Conditions in Unsaturated Archaeological Deposits in Oslo

Abstract

Archaeological, biological, and geochemical investigations of soil sample series from a section and five boreholes have been studied to evaluate the state of preservation at the time of investigation and the preservation conditions of urban archaeological deposits from medieval Oslo, Norway. Focus has been put on the most fragile deposits in the unsaturated and fluctuation zones. Even with limited investigations, it is possible to assess the archaeological conservation state and the preservation conditions. Further work should focus on interpreting measured results and on mitigation strategies.

Keywords:

• medieval
• Norway
• in situ preservation
• unsaturated zone
• fluctuation zone
• saturated zone

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Vibeke Vandrup Martens

Vibeke Vandrup Martens finished an MA on medieval pottery in 1998 (Aarhus University). Worked as archaeologist in Denmark, Sweden, Finland (Aaland), and Norway. Has worked at the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research since 2006, focusing on urban archaeology and preservation conditions in archaeological deposits.

Correspondence to: Vibeke Vandrup Martens, Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research, Storgata 2, PO Box 726 Sentrum, N-0105 Oslo, Norway. Email: [email protected]

Carl-Einar Amundsen

Carl-Einar Amundsen finished his PhD on soil buffer processes related to acid rain in 1993 (Norwegian University of Science and Technology). Since then his main work items have been mobility, leaching and toxicology of pollutants in soils (Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research).

Correspondence to: Carl-Einar Amundsen, Bioforsk Soil and Environment Division, Fredrik A Dahlsvei 20, N-1430 Ås, Norway. Email: Carl-einar.amundsen@ bioforsk.no

Ove Bergersen

Ove Bergersen finished a PhD (Dr Scient) in ‘Molecular Genetics’ in the Departments of Biochemistry and Animals Genetics, Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine 1990. Main work as scientist at SINTEF ‘Environmental microbiology’ (e.g. degradation of oil, creosote, PCB, phthalates) to 2001 and ‘Environmental microbiology and soil chemistry’, the last ten years as a senior scientist at Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research.

Correspondence to: Ove Bergersen, Bioforsk Soil and Environment Division, Fredrik A Dahlsvei 20, N-1430 Ås, Norway. Email: [email protected]