Archaeologists Uncover Lost Medieval Town Ruins
A lost medieval Norwegian town has been discovered after years of searching, thanks to a team of archaeologists utilizing both ancient legends and modern georadar technology. The team, led by the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research and the Anno Museum, uncovered the lost town of Hamarkaupangen, as described in a 16th-century text, Chronicles of Hamar.
The search for the town began with a 500-year-old legend that pointed to the location east of a bishop’s castle in Hamar, southern Norway. Previous attempts at excavation had only yielded insignificant artifacts, casting doubts on the town’s existence. However, the introduction of georadar technology in 2023 provided a breakthrough, allowing the team to pinpoint the town’s location beneath the surface.
Excavation efforts have revealed a two-room home buried under layers of stone, with wooden structures believed to be walls and floors. The team’s discoveries have confirmed the presence of wooden buildings that once formed the town, with further investigations underway to locate the fireplace.
Archaeologist Monica Kristiansen expressed excitement over the findings and the potential for future discoveries, including additional urban structures and street layouts in line with Norwegian medieval architecture. The long-lost legend of Hamarkaupangen has now been brought to light, showcasing the power of combining historical accounts with cutting-edge technology in archaeological research.
