Christopher Prescott

• Prescott, Christopher (2025). Sampling at Lista, Norway: Inconspicuous fragments of large-scale agrarian history. In Nørgaard, Heide & Reiter, Samanthga (Ed.), Bronzization. Essays in Bronze Age Archaeology. Essays in Bronze Age Archaeology in Honour of Dr. Phil h.c. Helle Vandkilde on her 70th birthday. Archaeopress. ISSN 9781803279213. p. 365–375. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This contribution adopts a three-tiered scale in its study of the southwestern region of Lista – a polity that is an integral part of the Nordic Bronze Age and a pivotal point and bottleneck in maritime communication from north to south. A study of one community (Vanse) demonstrates that most elements of a Bronze Age complex farm society are potentially present: the farm and farmhouse, mortuary structures, wetland deposits, places of power and potential military control, and a harbour. The final tier is the field at Penne. Though best known for the Late Bronze Age rock art and Early Iron Age farm complexes, fragments of evidence suggest a chronologically deep and extensive use of the landscape including agriculture, mortuary practices, production (metallurgy), and ritual.

• Prescott, Christopher & Melheim, Anne Lene (2023). Southern Norway’s Mountain Landscapes Between National Romantic Legends and the Political Economy of Agropastoralism. In Garcia-Molsosa, Arnau (Eds.), Archaeology of mountain landscapes Interdisciplinary Research Strategies of Agropastoralism in Upland Regions. The Institute for European and Mediterranean Archaeology Distinguished Monograph Series. IEMA Proceedings, Volume 12.. SUNY Press. ISSN 9781438489872. p. 197–218. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Archaeological investigations of the southern Norwegian mountains have a 170-year-long history. Interpreting the growing body of data has understandably been in light of political context and reigning theoretical premises. Key elements here are projects of recreating a nation-state, perceptions of ethnicity, ecological frameworks, and reigning concepts of local evolution. Hydroelectric development from the late 1950s led to a large body of archaeological and environmental data, multidisciplinary projects, and a modern management regime. The projects are numerous, and two upland project areas are particularly used to discuss later developments, Hardangervidda (the central Norwegian mountain plateau) and projects in the uplands of the inner tracts of the Sognefjord. These projects not only transformed perceptions of the history of the uplands, but also were a major force in modernizing Norwegian archaeology and cultural heritage management. In recent years, the melting of high-altitude ice patches promises to bring new data to the fore but also generate new developments in upland management practices and remind us of the threat of global warming.

• Prescott, Christopher (2021). Engaging global issues and local values – scales, culture, concepts and politics. In Higgins, Valerie & Douglas, Diane (Ed.), Communities and Cultural Heritage Global Issues, Local Values. Routledge. ISSN 9780367467975. p. 192–197. doi: 10.4324/9781003031192. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2020). One size does not fit all? Interpreting complex diachronic Neolithic-period data in Norway. In Gron, Kurt J.; Sørensen, Lasse & Rowley-Conwy, Peter (Ed.), Farmers at the Frontier: A Pan-European Perspective.. Oxbow Books. ISSN 9781789251401. p. 381–400. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This article deals with the history of late hunter-gatherer and early agricultural societies in Scandinavia through the Norwegian case. Here, the Neolithic is not perceived as a slow but steady introduction and consolidation of agriculture. Instead, the Neolithic period in Norway represents a jagged history, and is perhaps not primarily about agriculture. In the Early and Middle Neolithic this article mainly deals with regions beyond the Funnel Beaker Culture (TRB), though borders and distinctions are not always clear (Glørstad, 2009). In the Late Neolithic the focus is the Nordic region. This article groups the discussion around three chronological epochs: the Nordic Late Neolithic (LN, c. 2350-1700 BC), the Middle Neolithic B (MNB, c. 2700-2350 BC), the Early and Middle Neolithic A (EN and MNA 3950-2700 BC) extending into the last six hundred years of the preceding Late Mesolithic (LM). The evidence demonstrates that with the transition to the LN, farming and stockholding are cemented as the foundation of the economy. The MN B (i.e. the time of the Corded Ware Culture, CWC, i.e. Scandinavian Battle Axe Cultures) remains an enigma in which agro-pastoralism probably is not an important factor. In terms of the preceding Neolithic and Mesolithic periods, there is a continuous process of vegetation and landscape management, though if and how agriculture is a factor here remains uncertain.

• Prøsch-Danielsen, Lisbeth; Prescott, Christopher & Fredh, Erik Daniel (2020). Land cover and exploitation of upland resources on the Høg-Jæren Plateau, southwestern Norway, over the last 6500 years. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. ISSN 2352-409X. 32. doi: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2020.102443. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This study explores the use of upland resources on the Høg-Jæren Plateau (360 m asl) in southwestern Norway during the last 6500 years. Human activities and land-use variations were reconstructed using a compilation of data from pollen analysis of six sediment cores retrieved along an altitudinal transect belonging to the present day farm Aniksdal (approx. 31 km2), with archaeological finds and historical records. Vegetation modelling was also used to quantify land-cover at regional (REVEALS model) and local (LOVE model) scales. The combined records show that humans were active in the area during the last 6500 years, and they created increasingly more open land in the region (from 60 to 90% cover). Locally, the land-use in the uplands varied substantially, but with generally increased cover of heath- and/or grassland through time, accompanied by greater burning as indicated by the rise in microscopic charcoal. These vegetation changes suggest active clearance and probable management using fire throughout the period studied. Hunter-gatherers dominated the land-use in the early part of the record (c. 4500–2400 BCE). They possibly kept livestock sometime after 3950 BCE, though management favouring wild animals and certain plants is also a reasonable explanation for the increased open land during this period. After 2400 BCE, an agricultural society was established and grazing activities dominated the land-use at Høg-Jæren (c. 2400–500 BCE), followed by establishment of the infield/outfield system (c. 500 BCE–1000 CE), with permanent fields and settlements in the valley, and a mixed use of the uplands. Hay-production became increasingly important, and shielings were established in the uplands during the last 1000 years, probably used as bases for a combination of grazing, hay-production and dairy farming. The study shows the importance of combining data from several disciplines to provide a relatively detailed spatial and temporal reconstruction of human activity.

• Prescott, Christopher & Rasmussen, Josephine Munch (2020). Exploring the “Cozy Cabal of Academics, Dealers and Collectors” through the Schøyen Collection. Heritage. 3(1), p. 68–91. doi: 10.3390/heritage3010005. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In the wake of the trade in ancient materials, several ethical and political issues arise that merit concern: The decimation of the cultural heritage of war-torn countries, proliferation of corruption, ideological connotations of orientalism, financial support of terrorism, and participation in networks involved in money laundering, weapon sales, human trafficking and drugs. Moreover, trafficking and trading also have a harmful effect on the fabric of academia itself. This study uses open sources to track the history of the private Schøyen Collection, and the researchers and public institutions that have worked with and supported the collector. Focussing on the public debates that evolved around the Buddhist manuscripts and other looted or illicitly obtained material from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, this article unravels strategies to whitewash Schøyen’s and his research groups’ activities. Numerous elements are familiar from the field of antiquities trafficking research and as such adds to the growing body of knowledge about illicit trade and collecting. A noteworthy element in the Schøyen case is Martin Schøyen and his partner’s appeal to digital dissemination to divorce collections from their problematic provenance and history and circumvent contemporary ethical standards. Like paper publications, digital presentations contribute to the marketing and price formation of illicit objects. The Norwegian state’s potential purchase of the entire Schøyen collection was promoted with the aid of digital dissemination of the collection hosted by public institutions. In the wake of the Schøyen case, it is evident that in spite of formal regulations to thwart antiquities trafficking, the continuation of the trade rests on the attitudes and practice of scholars and institutions. Keywords: antiquities trafficking; ancient manuscripts; Afghanistan; Norway; research ethics; provenance; Schøyen collection

• Prescott, Christopher (2020). Introduction Acta ad archaeologiam et artium historiam pertinentia vol. 32, No. 18ns (2020). Acta ad archaeologiam et artium historiam pertinentia (ACTA). ISSN 0065-0900. 32(18), p. vii–xii. doi: 10.5617/acta.9016. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The articles in the present volume are the result of two workshops held at the Norwegian Institute in Rome that are both robustly disciplinary, but simultaneously raise issues beyond the disciplinary bounds of art history (into philosophy, history of ideas and history) and archaeology (into criminology, heritage studies and contemporary sociology and politics). The first was organised by DniR-researcher Mattia Biffis in October 2019, The Art of Truth: Providing Evidence in Early Modern Bologna. The second section is based on a digital workshop organised by DniR-researcher Samuel Hardy in collaboration with the Heritage Experience Initiative project at the University of Oslo in October 2020, Handling of Cultural Goods and Financing of Political Violence.   On cover:ANNIBALE CARRACCI (BOLOGNA 1560 - ROME 1609), An Allegory of Truth and Time c. 1584-1585. Oil on canvas | 130,0 x 169,6 cm. (support, canvas/panel/str external) | RCIN 404770Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2021.

• Prescott, Christopher (2018). Changing demographics in Northern Europe: transforming narratives and identifying obstacles. A case study from Oslo, Norway. In holtorf, cornelius; Pantazotos, Andreas & Scarre, Geoffry (Ed.), Cultural Heritage, Ethics and Contemporary Migrations. Routledge. ISSN 9781138788220. p. 52–69. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Archaeology and cultural heritage has had minor impact on immigrant communities in Norway. Immigrant communities have up to the present had minor impact on archaeology and heritage narratives. In practical terms, students and professionals are largely recruited among Northern Europeans. However, “immigrant communities” are not homogeneous, and practices and attitudes vary between the different communities, in part depending on where they originated. It is not readily clear why immigrants are not more strongly involved in archaeology and cultural heritage, but a historiographical survey of archaeology and some recent studies concerning attitudes to museums and educational choices in Oslo allow us to generate hypotheses. These revolve around the exploration of two assertions: Traditional national narratives are out of step with contemporary society, and there are socio-cultural institutions in important immigrant communities that discourage participation in the cultural heritage sector.

• Prøsch-Danielsen, Lisbeth; Prescott, Christopher & Fredh, Erik Daniel (2018). Land-use change and exploitation of outfield resources at the Høg-Jæren plateau, SW Norway, during the last 6500 years. In Florenzano, Assunta; Montecchi, Maria Chiara & Rinaldi, Rossella (Ed.), Humans and environmental sustainability : lessons from the past ecosystmems of Europe and Northern Africa. 14th Conference of Environmental Archaeology 2018, Modena 26-28 February 2018. EDIZIONI PLUS Pisa University Press. ISSN 9788894344202. p. 58–59. Full text in Research Archive
• Prøsch-Danielsen, Lisbeth; Prescott, Christopher & Holst, Mads Kähler (2018). Economic and social zones during the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age in Jæren, Southwest Norway. Reconstructing large-scale land-use patterns. Praehistorische Zeitschrift. ISSN 0079-4848. 93(1), p. 48–88. doi: 10.1515/pz-2018-0002. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract: Based on a review of the environmental and archaeological records for Jæren, southwest Norway, it is proposed that a transition to an agro-pastoral economy and society took place around the Middle to Late Neolithic transition (2400–2350 BC), and this led to a rapid definition of the cultural landscapes. This mode of society evolved in the following decades and centuries. One of the characteristic features found in the landscape at this time is that the whole territory was drawn into social and ritual life, locally leading to a zonation of the landscape, with distinct differences in the economic, social and cultural expressions in the resulting zones. Monumental and ritual manifestations are located in the open, grassand heath-dominated coastal zone, whilst zones of variably intensive grain cultivation are located on suitable Quaternary deposits. The zones evolved in response to a sustained economic practice involving continuously expanding grazing, intensification of cereal production and access to channels of communication. Variations in exploitation pressure, production and economic strategy reflect a suite of environmental parameters. Thus, activity zones largely correlate with physical landscape properties, apparently reflecting both an adaptive aspect in the economy and patterns of comprehensive resource exploitation across the zones, e.››g. combining cereal production, transhumant pastoralism, hunting and access to maritime bottlenecks. A proposed model of the social and economic organisation and interaction in the Jæren region is based on the distributions of several categories of archaeological finds. It defines a number of interdependent zones within a unified, but composite economy, with crosscutting activities and mobility patterns. This approach is an alternative to existing models of hierarchy within limited territories. The landscape zonation in Jæren is similar to the general situation in the western Scandinavian region, including Jutland, Denmark, and thus the introduction of the agro-pastoral farm to Jæren was dependent on externally supplied impulses. Keywords: Late Neolithic; Bronze Age; physical landscape; vegetation history; settlement; economic land-use patterns; ritual landscape; social organisation

• Prescott, Christopher; Sand-Eriksen, Anette & Austvoll, Knut Ivar (2018). The Sea and Bronze Age Transformations. In Holt, Emily (Eds.), Water and Power in Past Societies. SUNY Press. ISSN 9781438468754. p. 177–198. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Along the western Norwegian coast, in the northwestern region of the Nordic Late Neolithic and Bronze Age (2350–500 BCE) there is cultural homogeneity but variable expressions of political hierarchy. Although new ideological institutions, technology (e.g., metallurgy and boat building), intensified agro‑pastoral farming, and maritime travel were introduced throughout the region as of 2350 BCE, concentrations of expressions of Bronze Age elites are intermittently found along the coast. Four regions—Lista, Jæren, Karmøy, and Sunnmøre—are examined in an exploration of the establishment and early role of maritime practices in this Nordic region. It is argued that the expressions of power and material wealth concentrated in these four regions is based on the control of bottlenecks, channels, portages, and harbors along important maritime routes of travel. As such, this article is a study of prehistoric travel, sources of power, and maritime landscapes in the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age of Norway.

• Prescott, Christopher (2018). Toward a Realistic Understanding of the Bronze Age (Comment to Ling, Earle & Kristiansen: Maritime Mode of Production Raiding and Trading in Seafaring Chiefdoms). Current Anthropology. ISSN 0011-3204. 59(5). doi: 10.1086/699613. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Given the available space, I will focus on the Nordic Bronze Age (BA). Rich data, evolving methods, and conceptual rejuvenation of continental perspectives, politics, conflict and society, and an appreciation of the diversity and scale of BA economy. Ling et al. aim to pull this body of knowledge together and comparatively interpret it. Factors like the Bell Beaker Culture’s (BBC) expansion, maritime capacity, trade, slavery and warriors are essential analytical components, recasting the scale and structure of BA economy, networks and society.

• Prescott, Christopher (2017). Dramatic beginnings of Norway’s history? Archaeology and Indo- Europeanization. In Hyllestad, Adam; Whitehead, Benedicte N.; Olander, Thomas & Olsen, Birgit A. (Ed.), Language and Prehistory of the Indo- European Peoples A Cross-Disciplinary Perspective. Museum Tusculanums Forlag. ISSN 9788763544214. p. 229–249. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The present article argues that several fundamental, referential institutions condition and are conditioned by a Nordic identity in Norway, and they have their origin in dramatic and far reaching changes with the transition to the Late Neolithic (LN, 2350–1750 BCE). Examples are the farm/”garden”, focused agro-pastoral production, a male-dominated ideology, metallurgy, ideologically anchored institutions of social inequality, and a common Northern European ideology, cosmology and developing ritual practice. Though sweeping changes could perhaps be anticipated with the establishment of islands of Battle Axe groups in Eastern Norway in the Middle Neolithic B (MNB, 2750–2350 BCE)it is difficult to see this episode as historically significant for ensuing events that establish institutions like warrior hierarchy, farms, metallurgy and large-scale regional seafaring throughout the Nordic region. In the centuries following the transition to the Late Neolithic (LN, 2350–1750 BCE) there is a high degree of continuity, even though the importance of significant historical thresholds later in the Bronze Age (BA, 1750–500 BCE) and Pre-Roman Iron Age (500BCE-0) should not be underestimated. Thus, if regional identities of the Nordic region attained historical definition in response to political developments in the Iron Age, the history of such ethnic identities rest on – are in time partially constituted by – much older institutions;1 ideology, knowledge, practices and landscape. On the other hand, it is important to distinctly delimit the roots of the social, ideological and ethnic identities and practices from views generated by the evolutionary trend in Scandinavian archaeology that contends that history is a diffuse continuum. Recent results indicate that the socio-historical institutions discussed here have definable origins in the LN, with developmental milestones around important transitional eras later on – e.g., the transition to EBA per II, the Early to Late Bronze Age, Early to late Pre-Roman Iron Age.

• Prescott, Christopher (2017). T. Douglas Price: Ancient Scandinavia. An Archaeological History from the First Humans to the Vikings. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2015. Norwegian Archaeological Review. ISSN 0029-3652. 50(1). doi: 10.1080/00293652.2016.1273968. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Review of "T. Douglas Price: Ancient Scandinavia. An Archaeological History from the First Humans to the Vikings" and more general discussion of curriculum in archaeological training

• Prescott, Christopher & Melheim, Anne Lene (2017). Textiles from the peripheries? Upland evidence from Norway. In Bergerbrant, Sophie & Wessman, Anna (Ed.), New Pespectives on the Bronze Age. Proceedings of the 13th Nordic Bronze Age Symposium held in Gothenburg 9th to 13th June 2015. Archaeopress. ISSN 9781784915988. p. 313–326. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The Skrivarhelleren site demonstrates the comprehensive range of activities associated with Late Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements, in this case at a seasonal, upland rock shelter site in an area commonly deemed as geographically and environmentally peripheral to the Nordic region – but from c. 2400 BC clearly integrated into the North European World. This peripherally located site offers a fascinating set of data concerning early agro-pastoral practices, hunting and fishing – demonstrated by a rich assemblage of non-durable materials like plant remains, bone, antler, resins and shells – and early metallurgy. Located in the rich upland hunting grounds of Sogn in western Norway, the shelter provides access to seasonal pastures as well as a range of other outfield resources. This article examines new evidence pointing to wool or textile production. Using the exploitation strategies of later periods in this remote region as analogy, we argue that production was not limited to the household, but geared towards a market. The implication of this line of reasoning is that there was a focus on exchange-oriented wool-production and that, in a yet wider context, wool-production could be one of the comparative advantages of the Scandinavian uplands.

• Prescott, Christopher (2017). Looting and illicit trade in Cultural artefacts: Challenges and implications for academia. In Jacobsen, Hilde Marie Madsø (Eds.), Illicit trade in Cultural artefacts. Stronger together: How can the Nordics join forces to stop the illegal import and export of cultural objects?. Nordic Council of Ministers/ TemaNord. ISSN 9789289349970. p. 53–56. doi: 10.6027/TN2017-533. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Throughout my career, I’ve had several involuntary engagements with looting, collectors and the academics who are involved in supporting these activities. The Norwegian Schøyen case is an illuminating and internationally cited case. The way institutions, governmental management and academia have handled cases like the Schøyen collection is characterised by lack of insight, conflict of interest, avoidance of confrontation and lack of credible information from those involved. It has at times been disheartening to witness. However, the flipside of the coin is the commitment to ethical standards, the pursuit of information and integrity that a number of researchers, journalists and cultural managers have shown in the wake of these cases. The outcomes: legislation, international collaboration, institutional transparency, undermined markets, returned objects and reduced looting.

• Prescott, Christopher (2016). Is there an alternative to the nation state? Archaeological Dialogues. ISSN 1380-2038. 23(1), p. 18–27. doi: 10.1017/S1380203816000052. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  : Academic developments, migration and other forces of globalization have ruptured the validity of traditional national and ethnic archaeology in the Scandinavian states. However, this does not mean that the relationship between nation states and archaeology has come to an end. In reference to Norway, this article contends that on a practical level there is not viable alternative to replace the nation state. In terms of archaeological narratives, it is more relevant to adapt archaeological narratives to the evolving state than to advocate abandoning the nation-state altogether.

• Prescott, Christopher & Glørstad, Håkon (2016). En gullalder I norsk arkeologi? Samtiden. ISSN 0036-3928. p. 18–26. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Arkeologifaget er midt i en spennende og dynamisk vekstepoke. Denne utviklingen (særlig i løpet av de siste 15 årene) bygger både på nye resultater og data, metodeutvikling, teori og fortolkning, men gjenspeiler også nye rammebetingelser, internasjonalisering, tverrfaglighet og økt offentlig interesse for faget. Skandinavisk arkeologi har i over 200 år vært en sentral premissleverandør til den internasjonale utviklingen i arkeologifaget, og er sentral i dagens kunnskapseksplosjon. Norsk arkeologi er en del av denne utviklingen. Et felt der dette sees tydelig er studier av det tredje årtusen f.Kr. i Norge, med innvandring, språkskifte, storstilte samfunnsendringer, innføring av ikke bare en jordbrukskultur, men en avansert gårdsinstitusjon, gryende bruk av metaller, integrasjon i europeiske nettverk og regelmessig sjøreiser over åpne havstrekninger. En rivende utvikling til tross, det er fremdeles mange uløste faglige utfordringer, for eksempel å sikre kulturminnevernets rolle i framtidig forskning, gjøre kulturarven til noe som tilhører alle på tvers av etniske og sosiale skillelinjer og utvikle avanserte, tverrfaglige laboratorier for ny kunnskapsvekst. Nettopp utforskingen av det tredje årtusen viser behovet for på ny å utforske de politiske konsekvenser av de arkeologiske kunnskapene og bidra tydeligere i debatten om samtidens presserende spørsmål: klimaendring, folkevandringer og kulturmøter og -konflikter.

• Melheim, Anne Lene & Prescott, Christopher (2016). Exploring New Territories – Expanding Frontiers: Bowmen and Prospectors on the Scandinavia Peninsula in the 3rd–2nd Millennia BC. In Melheim, Anne Lene; Glørstad, Håkon & Glørstad, Ann Zanette Tsigaridas (Ed.), Comparative Perspectives on Past Colonisation, Maritime Interaction and Cultural Integration. Equinox Publishing. ISSN 9781781790489. doi: 10.1558/equinox.24608.Jun2016. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The argument in this article has two premises: First, migration and other forms of human movement have been the norm throughout human history. Second, western Scandinavia is rife with readily exploitable copper ores, and there might have been attempts at utilizing these in the 3rd millennium BC. Building on the concept of travelling metallurgists as an element in the expansion of the Bell Beaker phenomenon in combination with anthropological perspectives on prospecting, the article explores how prospecting for metal would have been adapted to the landscapes of western Scandinavia. Generally, although prospecting seldom leads to successful metal production, and is difficult to study archaeologically, it will often have a significant transformative impact – on both the external and indigenous actors and societies. Two archaeological sites in western Norway are expressly discussed, Slettabø in Rogaland and Skrivarhelleren in Sogn. The latter is particularly relevant as a historical case of prospecting and mining from the 1700s AD and offers insights into movement in a fjord and upland landscape.

• Melheim, Anne Lene; Prescott, Christopher & Anfinset, Nils (2016). Bronze casting and cultural connections: Bronze Age workshops at Hunn, Norway. Praehistorische Zeitschrift. ISSN 0079-4848. 91(1), p. 42–67. doi: 10.1515/pz-2016-0003. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The authors present and discuss two segregated metal workshop sites at the Hunn burial ground in Østfold, south-east Norway, and address topics like the scale and character of the production and the cultural context of the finds. One of these sites, the Midtfeltet site, represents one of the most extensive Bronze Age metallurgical workshops in Scandinavia. The site is located in a region that has yielded comparatively few bronze artefacts, and illustrates a paradoxical trend in Norwegian Bronze Age archaeology: the dislocation between production of bronze objects and their final deposition. The Bronze Age workshops and monuments at Hunn are situated in an area with a Late Neolithic history, which after the Bronze Age continued to be used for burials and rituals. Hunn is situated by a natural harbor, and has good conditions for embarking inland on rivers and documented prehistoric tracks. Occurrences of unalloyed copper in a Bronze Age context may be considered an indication of trade in raw metals, which is also indicated by residues on crucibles at other central workshop sites in Scandinavia. Hunn was very probably, with its two workshop areas and signs of specialized production of, among other things, preforms, a regional center or aggregation site for craft production and exchange. A high degree of overlap between Nordic metalworking sites in terms of metallurgical know-how, refractory technology and artefact typology, but also symbolic decoration, is noted. This is indicative of ambulating, specialized metalworkers who had the aggregation site as their primary arena. A link to the Baltic is seen in the locally manufactured Lausitz-inspired pottery and an early cremation burial at Midtfeltet. The article focusses on the results of small-scale excavation campaigns at Midtfeltet in 1996–2006, covering an area of altogether c. 400 m2. The site produced a substantial amount of clay refractories, metalworking debris, flint, animal bone and pottery, 14C-dated to c. 1300–700 BCE. Keywords: Bronze Age; south-east Norway; metal production; refractory finds; cross-craft technologies; exchange networks; maritime trade

• Prescott, Christopher (2015). Skaper globaliseringen nye problemstillinger i kulturminnevernet? Nicolay: Arkeologisk tidsskrift. ISSN 0332-8937. p. 35–43. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Det nasjonale kulturminnevernet i Norge er sterkt. Historisk sett var en nasjonal agenda styrende for kulturminnevernet, men på 1970-tallet utfordret samenes kamp en del av de tilvendte nasjonale ideer, og det samiske kulturminnevernet ble styrket. I dag er både det nasjonale og det samiske kulturminnevernet godt forankret i den statlige forvaltningen, og det er i hovedsak enighet om målene og virkemidlene. Utfordringer i form av globaliseringen, teknologiutviklingen og den internasjonale handelen med gjenstander stiller nå nye krav til den nasjonale forvaltningen om å agere internasjonalt.

• Prescott, Christopher & Glørstad, Håkon (2015). Expanding 3rd millennium transformations: Norway. In Martínez, Maria Pilar Prieto & Salanova, Laure (Ed.), The Bell Beaker Transition in Europe: Mobility and local evolution during the 3rd millennium BC. Oxbow Books. ISSN 9781782979272. p. 77–87. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The transformation of coastal and southerly Norway to an agricultural society has long been a theme of interest for Nordic prehistorians, and has commonly been interpreted as the outcome of a long drawn process of gradual transformation of hunter-gatherer societies. In the course of the last 20 years there has been an interpretative shift that instead emphasises a rapid transformation in the mid-3rd millennium, around 2400 BC. Agricultural evolution as a prime driver in prehistory has been abandoned in favour of a suite of related factors that include the establishment of the farm institution, but also technologies, expanding maritime communication, ideology and hierarchical social institutions. The Bell Beaker phenomenon is increasingly regarded as the driving force behind the dramatic transformations of large tracts of Scandinavia. Slettabø in southwestern Norway, with its potsherds, bifacial points, osteological data and maritime orientation, is a referential site in this regard. Arne Skjølsvold excavated the site in the early 1960s, and interpreted it within 􀁄􀀃􀁉􀁕􀁄􀁐􀁈􀁚􀁒􀁕􀁎􀀃􀁒􀁉􀀃􀁓􀁕􀁒􀁗􀁕􀁄􀁆􀁗􀁈􀁇􀀃􀁏􀁒􀁆􀁄􀁏􀀃􀁄􀁊􀁕􀁒􀀐􀁓􀁄􀁖􀁗􀁒􀁕􀁄􀁏􀀃􀁇􀁈􀁙􀁈􀁏􀁒􀁓􀁐􀁈􀁑􀁗􀀃􀁌􀁑􀀃􀁋􀁘􀁑􀁗􀁈􀁕􀀐􀁊􀁄􀁗􀁋􀁈􀁕􀁈􀁕􀀃􀁊􀁕􀁒􀁘􀁓􀁖􀀃􀁘􀁑􀁇􀁈􀁕􀀃􀁗􀁋􀁈􀀃􀁌􀁑􀃀􀁘􀁈􀁑􀁆􀁈􀀃􀁒􀁉􀀃 various Neolithic cultures. The present article re-evaluates stratigraphy and chronology, and outlines the site’s maritime character. Slettabø layer II is seen in context with mid-3rd millennium sites in western Scandinavia, e.g. in Jutland, but also sites to the north like the Mjeltehaugen grave monument with decorated slabs and the Skrivarhelleren rock shelter in the uplands. Interpreting data is based on social anthropological perspectives and a fundamentally historical approach.

• Prescott, Christopher (2014). Rising to the challenge? Research-based training in contexts of diversification. In Haas, Victoria & Schut, Peter (Ed.), The Valletta Convention Twenty Years After – Benefits, Problems, Challenges. Archaeolingua. ISSN 9789639911499. p. 131–141. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract: The last twenty years has seen a transformation of the role and context of training in archaeology. From traditionally training a few research specialists geared towards academic careers within largely national frameworks, contemporary training should ideally meet the needs of highly diverse, trans-national labour market largely outside university faculties, team-based research outside university faculties, the ambitions of a diverse student body, and the needs of an expanding heritage management sector. Not only are the tasks allotted newly trained archaeologists increasingly diversified, the societal context is evolving. Mention here could be made of factors like demographic trends, political agendas, globalization and the changing role of the nation state, bureaucratization, technology and the potential of modern research, privatization and pressure on the humanities in today’s economic and political climate. In this situation, training is drawn between various and sometimes conflicting interests in instrumental (and often superficial) competences versus in-depth disciplinary competence.

• Soderland, Hilary; Biehl, Peter; Comer, Douglas & Prescott, Christopher (2014). Identities and Heritage: Contemporary Challenges in a Globalized World. In Biehl, Peter; Comer, Douglas; Prescott, Christopher & Soderland, Hilary (Ed.), Identity and Heritage Contemporary Challenges in a Globalized World. Springer. ISSN 9783319096889. p. 3–10. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-09689-6_1. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The great acceleration of globalizing forces presents those in the heritage field with a series of urgent challenges. Chief among them is the weakness of contemporary mechanisms for addressing collective global issues. With the appearance of a distinctive form of “global politics” marked by intense interconnectivity within transnational frameworks, global problems cannot be resolved by any one nation-state or peoples. Collective and collaborative action is required, yet problem-solving capacities at the local, regional, and global levels are partial and incomplete. While a multidimensional system of global governance—combining supra- and sub-state agencies alongside national and interstate frameworks—has developed to regulate the processes of globalization, there is little to no consensus on how to generate public policies that bridge overlapping political boundaries and socio-economic lines of responsibility.

• Comer, Douglas; Soderland, Hilary; Biehl, Peter & Prescott, Christopher (2014). The Future Challenges of Heritage and Identity in a Globalized World. In Biehl, Peter; Comer, Douglas; Prescott, Christopher & Soderland, Hilary (Ed.), Identity and Heritage Contemporary Challenges in a Globalized World. Springer. ISSN 9783319096889. p. 161–169. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-09689-6_16. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Heritage is the past after it has been packaged for certain uses. In the age of global capitalism, heritage is shaped not only by political objectives, as it always has been, beginning with oral histories, but also by economic ones, and thus market forces increasingly become intertwined with political objectives. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the case of identity. A political entity is successful only insofar as it constitutes an identity for its members: nation-states fail when conflicts among families, tribes, and ideologies produce instability, and can only succeed when there is patriotic fervor or a strong conviction that domestic tranquility and the economic advantages of belonging to a successful state are enough to keep ethnic, tribal, or other social groupings, such as class, from splintering the state. In a like manner, a global heritage holds the possibility of generating a shared human identity based in a vision of the benefits that will accrue to all by the production of global public goods.

• Prescott, Christopher (2014). A synthesis of the history of third millennium north-western Scandinavia. In Gulløv, Hans Christian (Eds.), Northern Worlds – landscapes, interactions and dynamics Research at the National Museum of Denmark Proceedings of the Northern Worlds Conference Copenhagen 28-30 November 2012. University Press of Southern Denmark. ISSN 9788776748241. p. 449–462. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2013). Archaeology vs. science. Or taking knowledge-based communication seriously? Current Swedish Archaeology. ISSN 1102-7355. 2013(21), p. 39–44. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2013). Utfordrer archaeo-science norsk arkeologi? Primitive tider. ISSN 1501-0430. 15, p. 47–58. Full text in Research Archive

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• Barker, Simon; Ward, Courtney & Prescott, Christopher (2023). Acta ad archaeologiam et artium pertinentia. Scienze e Lettere. ISBN 9788866872474. 400 p. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Volume 33 of Acta ad archaeologiam et artium historiam pertinentia, the DNiR journal, presents papers from two very different workshops held at the Norwegian Institute in 2019. The first, New research on late-antique recycling, was a one-day workshop organised by Simon J. Barker and held on September 5th. The second, Adornment as expression of everyday identity in ancient and medieval life, was a two-day conference held later in September on the 12-13th. It was organised by Courtney A. Ward and jointly held with the Finnish Institute in Rome. Although very different in scope, both meetings aimed to bring together new and established scholars not only to address traditional areas of research within these respective topics but also to provide a forum in which to present new finds and novel approaches. The first part of the current volume presents six papers from the workshop, New research on late-antique recycling. The central aim of the workshop was to bring together researchers and scholars to address questions about the role of recycling and spolia in Late Antiquity with the aim of providing a more coherent understanding of the cultural changes that characterised late-antique recycling. The study of re-use in Late Antiquity is of course a matter of longstanding investigation, though arguably recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in the subject. The second section of this volume presents a selection of papers from those presented at the conference, Adornment as expression of everyday identity in ancient and medieval life. The conference brought together scholars from a number of countries – Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Serbia, Israel, Canada, the UK, and the USA – to discuss what can be learned about the role of personal adornment in past societies through an analysis of literary texts, artistic representations, archaeological contexts, and the objects themselves. The presentations covered a variety of time periods and geographical locations – from the Bronze Age Levant to Etruscan Italy, from Roman Britain to late-antique Egypt, and from Viking Iceland to medieval Lebanon. The contributors demonstrated the various ways in which jewellery and dress accessories were used daily to express aspects of an individual’s gender identity, social status, religious association, political affiliation, familial relationships, sexuality, and stage in their life course, both publicly and in private. The similar themes, which were present in all of the presentations on such diverse cultures and periods and which are represented in the articles in the current volume, reveal the continuous importance of objects of personal adornment in social life.

• Prescott, Christopher; Karivieri, Arja; Göransson, Kristian & Campbell, Peter (2021). TRINACRIA, ‘AN ISLAND OUTSIDE TIME’ International archaeology in Sicily. Oxbow Books. ISBN 9781789255911. 240 p. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  ‘Sicily is triangular in form, and on this account was at first called Trinacria,’ writes the geographer Strabo.8 On each point of the triangle is a headland: one pointing north toward Italy, one east ‘towards the Peloponnesus and in the direction of the passage to Crete’, and one south toward Africa.9 From each of these directions came Roman, Greek and Carthaginian colonisation, doubtless to the chagrin of the indigenous population. Invasions continued throughout the ages, including Byzantine, Arab, Norman, Bourbons and finally Giuseppe Garibaldi. Accounts from our Greek geographer stating Sicily, ‘is on the lips of all men’, to the Arab geographer Al-Idrisi who calls it ‘pearl of this century’ show the draw that the island had across time.10 It led Vincent Cronin to write, ‘Sicily is an island lying outside time … a beach on which the tides of successive civilizations have heaped in disorder their assorted treasure.’11 It is from these accounts that the present volume, presenting the archaeology of successive civilisations, has drawn inspiration for its title.

• Biffis, Mattia; Hardy, Samuel Andrew; Prescott, Christopher & Michelloni, Manuela (2021). ACTA AD ARCHAEOLOGIAMET ARTIVM HISTORIAM PERTINENTIA XXXII (n.s. 18). Scienze e Lettre. ISBN 9788866872047. 192 p. Full text in Research Archive
• Engh, Line Cecilie; Eriksen, Stefka Georgieva; Steen, Francis F. & Prescott, Christopher (2019). Acta ad archaeologiam et artium historiam pertinentia, vol. 31 [Special issue: Tools for Transformation. Liturgy and religious practices in Late Antique Rome and Medieval Europe]. Acta ad archaeologiam et artium historiam pertinentia. ISBN 9788866871651. 280 p. Full text in Research Archive
• Biehl, Peter; Comer, Douglas; Prescott, Christopher & Soderland, Hilary (2014). Identity and Heritage Contemporary Challenges in a Globalized World. Springer. ISBN 9783319096889. 197 p. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This book will suggest new agendas for identity and heritage studies by means of presenting contentious issues facing archaeology and heritage management in a globalized world. The book is not only present the variability of heritage objectives and experiences in the New and Old World, and opens a discussion, in a shrinking world, to look beyond national and regional contexts. If the heritage sector and archaeology are to remain relevant in our contemporary world and the near future, there are a number of questions concerning the politics, practices and narratives related to heritage and identity that must be addressed. Questions of relevance in an affluent, cosmopolitan setting are at odds with those relevant for a region emerging from civil war or ethnic strife, or a national minority battling oppression or ethnic cleansing. A premise is that heritage represents a broad scope of empirically and theoretically sound interpretations - that heritage is a response to contemporary forces, as much as data. It is therefore necessary constantly to evaluate what is scientifically

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• Rasmussen, Josephine Munch & Prescott, Christopher (2023). Konflikt om Kulturarv - Arkeologi til Salgs. Full text in Research Archive
• Rasmussen, Josephine Munch & Prescott, Christopher (2023). Kulturarv med konfliktfylt opphav. Konsekvenser for kunnskapsproduksjon. Akademias rolle og ansvar. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2022). Norway and international cultural crime. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2022). Kulturarv i konflikt – konflikt om kulturarv. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  I 2004 f.Kr. plyndret elamittene den sumeriske byen Ur. Skrifttavlen Klagesang for Sumer og Ur forteller at Kong Ibbi-Sin «ble tatt til fange … og ført til landet Elam» sammen med månegudens statue. Under Sargons hærtog mot Uratu 1300 år senere (715) ble Haldia-templet i Musasir plyndret for statuer og offergaver. Ikonoklasme og plyndring i krig er altså intet nytt. I dag har de fleste land lovgivning som beskytter den nasjonale kulturarven. Internasjonalt har vi Haag-konvensjonen (1954) om kulturarv under konflikt og UNESCO 1970 konvensjonen som skal hindre plyndringen, smuglingen og handelen med kulturgjenstander. Institusjonelle etiske retningslinjer skal hindre at fagfolk deltar i omsettingen av gjenstander. Likevel fortsetter både raseringen av museer og monumenter, og handelen med arkeologiske gjenstander. Taliban, IS og russerne har fått mye oppmerksomhet omkring forsøkene på å viske ut de historiske sporene som motsier deres etniske og religiøse forestillinger. Ødeleggelsene i Syria, Irak, Afghanistan og Ukrainia inngår også i propagandakrigene, men i medienes forenklete og ensidige fremstillinger forsvinner konfliktenes nyanser, f.eks. USAs base anlagt i Babylons ruiner, russernes «frigjøring» av Palmyra og bombing av Aleppo, al-Assad-styrkenes plyndring i Palmyra, raseringen av Raqqa og oppfatningen i den islamske verdenen om at verdenssamfunnet bryr seg om monumentene, men ikke om de menneskelige lidelsene. Om ikonoklasme får mye mediedekning, er plyndringen, smuglingen og omsettingen av arkeologiske gjenstander antakelig mer destruktive. Denne raserer historiens kilder og finansierer terror, kriminelle og våpenhandel. Her spiller samlerne, dealerne og fagfolk nøkkelroller, og blant de store aktører er nettverket rundt Schøyen-samlingen internasjonalt blant de mest kjente. Innledningsvis tar foredraget opp kulturarvens betydning, for deretter å se på eksempler på ikonoklasme fra Midt-Østen. Foredragets andre del tar for seg plyndring- og samlingsindustrien med utgangspunkt i nyere saker i Norge, England og USA. Avslutningsvis kommenterer jeg akademikernes rolle, og hvordan vi kan motvirke denne skadelige industrien.

• Prescott, Christopher & Lunde, Anders Firing (2022). –Schøyen beslaget: At han har tusjet og risset på disse tingene, er helt hinsides. [Journal]. Morgenbladet. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  «Gjenstandene bør returneres til Irak.» Det er konklusjonen i en ny rapport om de kulturhistoriske gjenstandene som Økokrim beslagla i en stor aksjon mot den norske samleren Martin Schøyen i fjor. Razziaen ble planlagt etter en anmodning fra Irak, som ønsket flere hundre kileskrifter og bønneboller fra det gamle Mesopotamia tilbakelevert.

• Karivieri, Arja; Campbell, Peter; Göransson, Kristian & Prescott, Christopher (2021). Introduction. In Prescott, Christopher; Karivieri, Arja; Göransson, Kristian & Campbell, Peter (Ed.), TRINACRIA, ‘AN ISLAND OUTSIDE TIME’ International archaeology in Sicily. Oxbow Books. ISSN 9781789255911. p. xii–xviii. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  ‘Sicily is triangular in form, and on this account was at first called Trinacria,’ writes the geographer Strabo.8 On each point of the triangle is a headland: one pointing north toward Italy, one east ‘towards the Peloponnesus and in the direction of the passage to Crete’, and one south toward Africa.9 From each of these directions came Roman, Greek and Carthaginian colonisation, doubtless to the chagrin of the indigenous population. Invasions continued throughout the ages, including Byzantine, Arab, Norman, Bourbons and finally Giuseppe Garibaldi. Accounts from our Greek geographer stating Sicily, ‘is on the lips of all men’, to the Arab geographer Al-Idrisi who calls it ‘pearl of this century’ show the draw that the island had across time.10 It led Vincent Cronin to write, ‘Sicily is an island lying outside time … a beach on which the tides of successive civilizations have heaped in disorder their assorted treasure.’11 It is from these accounts that the present volume, presenting the archaeology of successive civilisations, has drawn inspiration for its title.

• Prescott, Christopher (2021). Schøyensamlingen: Akademias svik og suksesser - og en oppdatering. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Schøyensamlingen: Akademias svik og suksesser - og en oppdatering Martin Schøyen har kjøpt og solgt gjenstander fra hele verdenen for betydelige summer. Særlig materiale fra Pakistan, Afghanistan, Irak, Palestina, Egypt, Syria, Iran og andre land har vært i søkelyset. Siden midten av 1990-tallet har forskere og institusjoner samarbeidet og hjulpet Schøyen i arbeidet med materialet. Sentrale spørsmål er knyttet til funnsteder og -omstendigheter, eier- og omsettingshistorikk, forfalskninger og gjenstandsbehandling. Tidligere har Schøyen måtte returnere gjenstander til Pakistan og Afghanistan. I august i år foretok Økokrim et større beslag av gjenstander hjemme hos Schøyen etter Iraks henvendelse til KD. Dette skjer etter de store tilbakeleveringen fra Hobby Lobby og Cornell University. På seminaret gir jeg en oppdatering omkring de seneste hendelsene og diskutere det problematiske i en del forskeres og institusjoners (f.eks. NESH) praksis og holdninger.

• Prescott, Christopher (2021). Schøyensamlingen:akademias svik og seire - og en oppdatering. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Martin Schøyen har kjøpt og solgt gjenstander fra hele verdenen for betydelige summer. Særlig materiale fra Pakistan, Afghanistan, Irak, Palestina, Egypt, Syria, Iran og andre land har vært i søkelyset. Siden midten av 1990-tallet har forskere og institusjoner samarbeidet og hjulpet Schøyen i arbeidet med materialet. Sentrale spørsmål er knyttet til funnsteder og -omstendigheter, eier- og omsettingshistorikk, forfalskninger og gjenstandsbehandling. Tidligere har Schøyen måtte returnere gjenstander til Pakistan og Afghanistan. I august i år foretok Økokrim et større beslag av gjenstander hjemme hos Schøyen etter Iraks henvendelse til KD. Dette skjer etter de store tilbakeleveringen fra Hobby Lobby og Cornell University. På dette seminaret vil jeg gi en oppdatering omkring de seneste hendelsene og diskutere det problematiske i en del forskeres og institusjoners (f.eks. NESH) praksis og holdninger.

• Prescott, Christopher (2021). Schøyen research and academia: You don't ask and I don't tell. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The Schøyen collection is a comprehensive example of an unscrupulous collector - and the researchers and public institutions that have supported him. The actively involved include dubious dealers (like Fogg and Ferrini), smugglers (like Butt) and looters and agents in NW-Pakistan, researchers (like the teams led by Braarvig), senior public figures (like Rugaas) and institutions (like the National Library, UiO, UCL and The Ethics Board, NESH). The Schøyen matter is also an example of how other researchers, institutions and leaders react when faced with a case like Schøyen collection and its partners. Although critical questions were raised (and today there are few who publically defend Schøyen et al.) there was (and is) a strong current of acceptance and complacency when academia partnered up with Martin Schøyen. Based on my observations since 2001, this paper outlines some of the academic behaviour patterns, suggests motivations and mechanisms, and explores some of the implications for academia and the humanities. Beyond the disillusionment with academia, researchers' surrending autonomy, poor role models and creation of a noxious research environment, five areas are identified: 1) The corrupted and dubious responses of institutions like the National Ethics board and the national Library undermine institutional legitimacy. 2) Schøyen researchers represent bad science, colonialist politics and orientalism at odds with the humanities. 3) The institutional failure of the humanities to honestly address and censure unethical networks involved with looting and crime when self-interest is involved, raises issues of whether academia is capable of self-governance. 4) The appropriation by collectors and their researchers of legitimate concerns about policy blocks debates on urgent issues. 5) Researcher involvement with Schøyen represents a negation of the ethos and raison d'être of the humanities.

• Rasmussen, Josephine Munch & Prescott, Christopher (2021). Kulturarv på avveie (– og institusjonenes respons). Full text in Research Archive
• Melheim, Anne Lene & Prescott, Christopher (2021). Arkeologi på nye veier. ET FUNN I FOKUS: Pilspisser fra Klokkebegerkulturen. [Internet]. Arkeologi på nye veier. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  ET FUNN I FOKUS: Pilspisser fra Klokkebegerkulturen. To pilspisser fra Kydland i Gjesdal kan fortelle både små og store historier. Hør Anne Lene Melheim fra Kulturhistorisk museum, UiO og Christopher Prescott fra Universitetet i Oslo fortelle. I 2019 fant arkeologer fra Rogaland Fylkeskommune disse to pilspissene, og året i 2020 etter ble utgraving gjort av Arkeologisk museum, UiS. Nå i 2021 har vi fått to meget dyktige fagfolk til ta disse spissene og sette de inn i en større historie og formidle dette til deg!

• Synnevåg, Anne; Prescott, Christopher & Kristiansen, Kristian (2020). Forskningspodden: Alle pesters mor https://forskning.no/bakterier-pest-podcast/forskningspodden-alle-pesters-mor/1703372. [Journal]. Forskning.no. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Pandemier forandrer verden. Gang på gang gjennom historien har en bakterie eller et virus snudd opp ned på menneskenes liv. Det skjedde også for 5000 år siden, da en grufull pest rammet de første bøndene i Europa. En pandemi som åpnet veien for et krigerfolk som kom til å ta over hele kontinentet. Forskningspodden er laget i samarbeid med Fritt Ord.

• Rasmussen, Josephine Munch & Prescott, Christopher (2020). Schøyen har en systematisk historie med å kjøpe tvilsomme varer. [Journal]. Morgenbladet. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Den norske samleren Martin Schøyen får hard kritikk i en ny forskningsartikkel. To arkeologer mener Nasjonalbiblioteket har bidratt til å «hvitvaske» manuskriptsamlingen hans. – Et lavmål av forskningsmetodikk, svarer Schøyen.

• Rasmussen, Josephine Munch & Prescott, Christopher (2020). Schøyens bortforklaringer om Taliban Når noe virker for godt til å være sant, er det som oftest det. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  I forrige utgave av Morgenbladet kommenterer Martin Schøyen vår artikkel i Heritage om manuskriptsamlingen hans. På bakgrunn av et stort antall kilder mener vi at Schøyen gikk langt i å konstruere en misvisende historie til et gjenstandsmateriale i samlingen som trolig ble plyndret og ulovlig fjernet fra Pakistan og Afghanistan. I stedet for å svare på spørsmål som reises i artikkelen, beskylder Schøyen oss for slett forskningsarbeid. Han innvender at vi har basert oss på «ukritisk bruk av internett». Kildene i artikkelen vår er forskningspublikasjoner fra Schøyens egen offisielle serie, i tillegg til andre åpne kilder, som enhver kan kontrollere. Når det gjelder nettbaserte kilder, så er Schøyens egen database en av disse. På bakgrunn av publisert forskning, offentlige dokumenter, brev og medieoppslag, har vi også vurdert opplysningene i Schøyens database. Vi har også tatt for oss den sjangeren av smigrende omtaler Schøyen gjerne henviser til. Schøyen er velkommen til å peke på mangler i kildene og i vår analyse, gjerne i form av en åpen redegjørelse med dokumentasjon på samlingens opphav og eierhistorie. Det hadde tjent saken om Schøyen forteller hvem han har handlet buddhistiske manuskripter fra. I 2019 ble aktører i et traffickingnettverk tiltalt i New York for organisert kriminalitet. I tiltalen beskrives det hvordan «Butt-nettverket» gjennom en årrekke har forsynt det internasjonale antikvitetsmarkedet med stjålet materiale fra India, Afghanistan og Pakistan. Stemmer det ikke at Parvez Butt er av dem Schøyen direkte eller via mellomledd har handlet manuskripter fra? Hvem er de andre aktørene Schøyen har handlet med? Og Schøyens forskere: hvor involvert har de vært i Schøyens innkjøp? Det er mange spørsmål som står ubesvarte. Disse er det viktig å avklare fordi Schøyen har brukt norsk forvaltnings eksporttillatelser til videre omsetning av materialet. Schøyen svarer som før med å angripe kritikere: «Artikkelen fortjener ingen kommentar.» Videre kommenterer han: «Når det gjelder gammelt nytt som ‘forskerne’ gjentar til kjedsommelighet, hvordan de buddhistiske manuskriptene kom fra Afghanistan til England, tenke seg til uten eksporttillatelse fra Taliban (!), så er dette godt dokumentert på Schøyencollection.com under spesialsamling 22 Buddhism.» Det stemmer ikke at dette er godt dokumentert på Schøyens nettside. Schøyen oppgir Sam Fogg som forhandleren han kjøpte 108 fragmenter fra på midten av 1990-tallet. Materialet fra forhandleren i London skulle vise seg å inneholde tyvgods fra Kabul museum, og etter offentlig press overleverte Schøyen dette til museet. Når det gjelder det meste annet i den buddhistiske samlingen, omtrent 4000–5000 fragmenter og 7000 såkalte mikrofragmenter, er det fortsatt høyst uklart hvordan dette har tilkommet Schøyen. Videre lager Schøyen en stråmann om en eventuell eksporttillatelse fra Taliban. Men siden han reiser spørsmålet: Er materialet eksportert med Talibans medvirkning? Schøyen har alltid spilt opp til forestillingen om at private samlere redder kulturarv fra jihadistisk ikonoklasme. Bildet er selvsagt mer komplisert. Det er kjent at Taliban har tjent penger på plyndring av arkeologisk materiale som er etterspurt i det internasjonale kunst- og antikvitetsmarkedet og fra kjøpere som Schøyen. Beskyttelsespenger og skattlegging av handelen har også vært en del av inntjeningsmodellen til Taliban og andre krigsherrer involvert i arkeologisk materiale. Det er fortsatt all grunn til å tro at både Schøyen og Taliban profitterte på plyndringen. Når noe virker for godt til å være sant er det som oftest det – som Schøyen selv sier i en faks vi gjengir i vår artikkel. Når et oppsiktsvekkende materiale plutselig dukker opp på markedet, er forklaringen oftest en av to: Enten er materialet ulovlig, eller også

• Prescott, Christopher (2020). Eva Mortensen & Rubina Raja (red.): Store danske arkæologer på jagt efter fortidens byer. Aarhus 2019. 299 sider. ISNB 978-87-7184-7512. Kuml : Årbog for Jysk Arkæologisk Selskab. ISSN 0454-6245. p. 341–343. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2020). Interpreting Bronze Age landscapes in Norway - from national primordialsim to human ecology. In claustrat, frank & Pellicer, Françoise (Ed.), The internationalisation of landscape art. Then and now. Le Faune. ISSN 9782492366024. p. 19–40. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This collective interdisciplinary work on the landscape art from prehistory to the present day is made up of fourteen essays presented in three thematic sections (« The Human Being and his Environment », « The Experience of the Imaginary », « Spaces and Artistic Confrontations »). It brings together contributions from thirteen international researchers and specialists, to decipher what was at stake in debates old and new, and analysing the mass of information available today regarding the polymorphic idea of the landscape. It aims to discern the approaches and the works, the concepts and the periods, the disciplines and the countries, the subjects and the designs, with the goal of presenting new insights. The chronological approach on which this is based hopefully brings an understanding of the extent of successive changes that, before and after Christianisation, affected the perception, the appropriation, the experience of the everyday and the representation of the landscape. The fourteen essays are organised by subject and by hierarchy allowing an understanding of their relationships to each other and to an enduring continuity. Each of them presents a study based on a specific case, chosen for its particular significance, and is completed with bibliographical notes to enhance the reader’s understanding. Under the direction of Frank Claustrat (Associate Professor in Contemporary Art History, Paul-Valéry Montpellier III University) and Françoise Pellicer (Associate Professor in Modern Art History, Paul-Valéry Montpellier III University), members of the research unit CRISES (Montpellier, France). Book published with the support of the Paul-Valéry Montpellier III University, the research unit CRISES, and the Hartung-Bergman Foundation, Antibes (France).

• Prescott, Christopher (2020). Omaggio di Henrik Ibsen in memoria di P.A. Munch. Newsletter degli Amici del Cimitero Acattolico di Roma. 50, p. 8–8. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2020). Henrik Ibsen's address in memory of P.A. Munch. Friends of the Non-Catholic Cemetery in Rome Newsletter. 15(50), p. 8–8. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2020). Il patrimonio culturale nei conflitti armati. Finestre sull'arte. ISSN 2612-6931. 2020(6), p. 25–25. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Attualità: dibattito sull’arte negli attuali scenari di guerra. Intervengono: Paolo Brusasco (Docente di Archeologia e Storia dell’Arte del Vicino Oriente, Università di Genova, Direttore della Missione Assiria), Barbara Caranza (Restauratrice, Presidente di CHIEF Onlus - Cultural Heritage International Emergency Force), Massimo Carcione (Docente di Organizzazione internazionale del Patrimonio Culturale, Università di Bologna), Silvia Chiodi (Dirigente di ricerca, CNR), Franco D’Agostino (Docente di Assiriologia, Università di Roma La Sapienza, e Direttore degli scavi di Abu Tbeirah, Iraq), Michela De Berardin (Co-direttrice di The Journal of Cultural Heritage Crime), Elena Franchi (Storica dell’arte, ricercatrice, giornalista), Manlio Frigo (Ordinario di Diritto Internazionale, Università di Milano), Edoardo Greppi (Ordinario di Diritto Internazionale, Università di Torino), Marco Iamoni (Docente di Storia del Vicino Oriente e di Archeologia del Vicino Oriente e del Mediterraneo, Università di Udine; vicedirettore del Progetto Archeologico “Terra di Ninive”), Simona Maggiorelli (giornalista, direttrice di Left), Federica Mucci (Associato di Diritto Internazionale, Università di Roma Tor Vergata), Davide Nadali (Associato di Archeologia e storia dell’arte del Vicino Oriente antico, Università di Roma La Sapienza), Luca Peyronel (Ordinario di Archeologia e storia dell’arte del Vicino Oriente antico, Università di Milano; Direttore del Progetto Archeologico Italiano nella Piana di Erbil), Christopher Prescott (Archeologo, Università di Oslo; Direttore dell’Istituto Norvegese in Roma).

• Prescott, Christopher (2020). Review of Birgit A. Olsen, Thomas Olander and Kristian Kristiansen (eds.) 2019 Tracing the Indo-Europeans: New evidence from archaeology and historical linguistics. Oxbow books, Oxford. Primitive tider. ISSN 1501-0430. 22, p. 67–70. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2019). Third millennium narratives and some maps. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2019). Anna Sörman Gjutningens arenor: Metallhantverkets rumsliga, sociala och politiska organisation i södra Skandinavien under bronsåldern [Casting Spaces: The Spatial, Social and Political Organisation of Metalworking in Southern Scandinavia during the Bronze Age]. Current Swedish Archaeology. ISSN 1102-7355. 26, p. 20–24. Full text in Research Archive
• Pellagatti, Paola; Campbell, Peter & Prescott, Christopher (2019). Remembering Sebastiano Tusa. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2019). Taking centre stage: Migrations in Norwegian Prehistory. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Discussion of migrations in Norwegian Prehistory involves three inter-related. The first is the political-intellectual history of the concept in archaeology. Key words here are the role of historical disciplines in the project to re-establish a sovereign Norwegian State in the 1800’s, culture-historical archaeology up to the 1950’s, and later emphasis on ecology and social explanations (with 1970’s processual trends). Later trends in small-scale post-modernism were not concerned with the issue. A kind of neo-diffusionism, influenced by social anthropology, in the late 1990s-2000s was contentious, but new methods and data sparked a general acceptance of migration as an explanatory factor from around 2010. These developments are not solely academic, but reflect contemporary politics. The next set of issues are associated with methodological turns and growing data in archaeology. The “third science revolution”, detailed technology studies and richer source materials have created a renewed empirical foundation – but also growing theoretical debates. All though migration is frequently referred to in Scandinavian archaeology, the theoretical and anthropological perceptions of the concept are at odds. This partly reflects the ongoing debate about the relationship between the humanities and sciences. The third issue is the actual cases that argue migrations in prehistory. My own involvement circles around the establishment of agricultural production, cultural change (including language) and a shift in social trajectory in the third millennium BC – i.e. with the Nordic Late Neolithic transition. The keywords here are pre-existing hunter-gatherers (and maybe small-scale pastor-agriculturists), the limited impact of Corded-Ware groups and the importance of the Bell Beaker Horizon. The role of migratory movements has expanded and important elements in other periods, for example in the Early and Middle Mesolithic. This affects the fundamental narratives of the past.

• Prescott, Christopher (2019). Converting history into commodities:The case of the Schøyen network. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2019). Militarism and the Indo-Europeanizing of Europe By Robert Drews. Pp. x + 284. Routledge, London 2017. $119.96. ISBN 978-1-138-28272-8 (cloth). American Journal of Archaeology. ISSN 0002-9114. 123(1). doi: 10.3764/ajaonline1231.prescott. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2019). Jens-Henrik Bech, Berit Valentin Eriksen and Kristian Kristiansen (redaktører): Bronze Age settlements and land-use in Thy, Northwest Denmark, vol. I & II. Jutland Archaeological Society Publications 102. Museum Thy, Højbjerg 2018. 285 & 578 sider, illustrert. ISBN 978-87-93423-22-0. Kuml : Årbog for Jysk Arkæologisk Selskab. ISSN 0454-6245. 2019, p. 289–294. Full text in Research Archive
• Prøsch-Danielsen, Lisbeth; Prescott, Christopher & Fredh, Erik Daniel (2018). Land-use change and exploitation of outfield resources at the Høg-Jæren Plateau, SW Norway, during the last 6500 years. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2018). Converting history to commodities; observations from the last 20 years. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  For nearly 20 years I have monitored the unravelling of the case of the Norwegian collector Martin Schøyen. The case is unique in that much is known about his collection practices, strategies to recruit researchers and entangle public academic institutions. The history also demonstrates attempts to whitewash, misinform, gain government money and create prestigious public images. There are socio-political networks that strive to protect wealthy collectors. While the “Schøyen Saga” reveals the limitations of law-enforcement, legislation and institutional ethical guidelines, it is also a story of successes. Patient research, media exposure and public awareness limited the actions of a collector, inhibited looting by undermining the market, created institutional accountability, hastened the passing of legislation, increased law enforcement and opened a field of inquiry. The Schøyen history is used to identify general structures, actions and reactions in the interplay between looting, market, academic collaboration and resistance.

• Prescott, Christopher (2018). Intersecting concerns: migration, science and politics of knowledge. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Cultural historical archaeology attributed societal change in prehistory to diffusion or migration. For a northern European, one book represents a shift in attitudes, symbolizing the rise of processual archaeology: Mats P. Malmer’s Jungneolitische studien (1962). In practice, Malmer’s methodological discussion concluded that proving migration is unattainable, and thus beyond archaeology’s ontology. This methodological, neo-positivist discussion developed into a broader theoretical postulate that reflected political ideals, particularly in Northern Europe: Migration was not an important factor in prehistory. Local development in response to environment or social conditions were key to understanding the past, and objective science was preferred to archaeological methods. Some places this methodological-come-theoretical position was associated with contemporary political ideologies. Post-processual archaeology (and its heirs) lost the science, but elaborated the local, small-scale perspective. In recent years, however, continental perspectives, migration and movements have again come to the fore through molecular biology. Small scale, symbolic actions are exchanged for previously scorned continental migrations. Environmental adaptations for Indo-European ideologies. Gift exchange for trade and raiding. Ironically (perhaps), the change in attitude is driven by physics and molecular biology. Elaborate theoretical deliberations for empiristic readings of data. Now widely and rightly embraced, humanist archaeologists at times have a faith–non-faith attitude to science that indicates practical, theoretical and political issues in archaeology – not only about isotopes and genes, but also our attitudes to archaeological materials and the politics (or hierarchy) of knowledge. In short: this paper explores some of the history associated with archaeology’s most contentious theoretical, methodological, interpretative and political aspects: Migration in prehistory, science in archaeology and the interpretation of archaeological patterns.

• Prescott, Christopher (2018). Comments to Per Persson "Cultural Dualism and migrations in The Stone Age". Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2018). Cultural Heritage: A Source of Conflict or a Path to Cultural Communication. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2018). Kulturkriminalitet: Ulovlig handel og ødeleggelse av felles fortid. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2018). CIRCUM-BALTIC INTERACTION IN THE BRONZE AGE: Perspectives in understanding the Baltic, connections to the Nordic world and integration into the Eurasian network. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2017). Concluding Remarks. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2017). One size does not fit all? Interpreting complex diachronic Neolithic-period data in Norway. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Developments of prehistoric agro-pastoralism in Norway (and otherwise in Northern Europe) are readily interpreted as directional evolutionary patterns framed within models of Neolithication. However, there are ambiguities (not solely attributable to source critical factors) when patterns are examined over the 2000 years from the Early Neolithic (3950 BC) to the Early Bronze Age (1750 BC). The Early and Middle Neolithic A phases are archaeologically characterized by hunter-gatherer groups that had contact with agriculturalists, but chose not to adopt agricultural practices. The palynological data mirrors this, but also points to an opening of the landscape in numerous environments. With the transition to the Late Neolithic a fully developed farm institution (including upland transhumance) is established. This transition does not seem to be conditioned by preceding, long term developments. Can we make better sense of these patterns if interpretation does not start with the reigning model of Neolithication?

• Prescott, Christopher (2017). Norway’s mountain landscapes: national romantic legends and the political economy of agro-pastoralism. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Traditional national identities in Norway (and other areas of Scandinavia) have centred on perceptions of farming, seafaring and seasonal use of the mountains. In terms of the latter, the historical narratives have incorporated hunting/trapping with roots in the Stone Age, and summer dairy farming/pasturing with roots in the Iron Age or Medieval period. The ensuing narratives have emphasized tradition, and practices conservatively determined by stable natural conditions, customary production techniques and a particular ethno-cultural spirit – a product of millennia of cultural, human and environmental co-evolution. A number of field projects in southerly Norway since the 1970s, largely driven by hydro-electric development, have brought forth a significant archaeological and environmental dataset. Interpretative consensus has often lagged behind the production of materials and data, emphasizing reindeer hunting. It is increasingly clear that the mountains were exploited through seasonal transhumant strategies as of the Late Neolithic Period (2400 BC). As of this time, use of the mountains was dynamic, integrated in wider historical developments and a central element in the regional economy supplying a number of products used in various spheres of transactions. Indeed, the uplands (traditionally perceived as a stable environmental setting) entered an increasingly dynamic phase as of 2400 BC, perhaps instigated through Bell Beaker migration, creating the modern landscape that is popularly, but erroneously, perceived of as primordial nature.

• Prescott, Christopher & Larsen, Kjersti (2017). Introduction, Beyond Our Crisis: Towards Archaeological Time and Anthropological Space. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  From the European to the global crisis of values and democracy Contemporary developments, also in the humanities, are heavily influenced by what can broadly be termed “globalization”. This situation, along with the very nature of academia, promotes a need for internationalization in research and education. The questions that arise span issues from how international research funding will influence research design and productivity, via questions concerning what the humanities contribution in our contemporary world should be (and to what extent we should feel obliged to contribute?) to how we can secure a future for historical, cultural and anthropological scholarly knowledge production and dissemination. This raises issues, on the one hand, concerning the responsibilities we hold towards local societies and their traditions – as well as engaging local societies. On the other hand, the fundamental nature of research and academic training transcends national borders. Political and bureaucratic forces pull research in both directions. Most funding bodies – above all those administered by the EU – require applicants to meet bureaucratically and politically determined requirements. Commonly cited as a source of practical frustration, these programs are also political and ideological, influencing choices and priorities in research. Economic recession, disparate access to wealth, shifts in global centers of power, conflict, environmental problems as well as ensuing migration have generated political unrest. In Europe, especially migration is seen as contentious - and the ensuing debate polarized. The cultural, historical and anthropological perspectives in a number of our disciplines cannot offer roadmaps and solutions, and indeed should not even strive to speak in agreement with a single voice. However, we are obliged to provide perspectives in an informed discussion. The narratives of a number humanistic disciplines have appealed to identity and been generated within in stable small-scale, regional or national frameworks. With the shift in demography, should we be more consistently generating narratives experienced as relevant and challenging by all groups in contemporary society? And more than any other academic fields, humanities should be able to socially, historically and anthropologically explore the mechanisms, experiences and issues involved in migration, and perceptions of spatial and social mobility Political, economic and demographic shifts are potentially creating a new context for research and academic practices (if nothing else with cuts in funding, references to experienced relevance and demands for utilitarian value). In light of most social theory of research, this evolving social situation creates a context of academic practice and content – how do we engage it with the well-being of academia in mind? So we believe that the seminar may address a scale of questions: - What do demands to international, “big-is-better” collaboration entail for the humanities? - What should disciplines like ancient history, archaeology, anthropology and studies of religion offer in relation to the contemporary world? o What are our contributions to the contemporary social and political debate and policy-making? o Perspectives on migration and regimes of mobility. o If the established identity narrative discourses of homogeneous western societies have run their course, how do we produce new reliable and relevant narratives incorporating methodological reflexivity? o Are we even obliged to engage contemporary issues? - What challenges to the humanities does the evolving societal context pose in terms of their continued working conditions?

• Stamnes, Arne Anderson; Haugan, Gaute Ulvik; Forseth, Lars; Prescott, Christopher & Solheim, Eirik (2017). Jubler over unikt funn fra bronsealderen. [Journal]. Trønderavisa. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher & Hølleland, Herdis (2017). Bronze Age research: Past, present and future. Panel dicussion With Kristin Oma, Kristian Kristiansen, Marie Louise Stig Sørensen and Jan Apel. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This year's Nordic Bronze Age Symposium in Oslo represents the conference's 40th anniversary. Through the years papers presenting contrasting approaches to Bronze Age research have been presented: Spectacular finds, meticulous empirical studies, methodological breakthroughs, theoretical queries and ground breaking interpretations. An important result of the Symposium is that different schools of archaeological thought from the whole Nordic region have met and energetically discussed the Bronze Age. Bronze Age research - and the Nordic Symposium - has served as a vanguard for archaeological research, the list is long: social theory, semiotics, dating, excavation method, ritual, landscape, domestic space, warfare, gender, technology, art, symbolism, interaction, exchange and migration - to mention some. A 40th anniversary is an opportunity to take stock of the past, sum up the present and think about the future. This session invites papers on the historiography, history of ideas and theoretical perspective of Bronze Age research.

• Stamnes, Arne Anderson; Haugan, Gaute Ulvik; Nesgård, Johan Arnt; Solheim, Eirik; Rundberget, Bernt & Prescott, Christopher [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2017). Metalldetektorbrødre fant ni unike 2.500 år gamle bronsealderøkser ved en tilfeldighet. [Journal]. Trønderavisa. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2017). Archeologia di montagna in Norvegia e Scandinavia. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2017). Re-examining narratives and practice in archaeology and cultural heritage. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The dynamic demographics of Northern Europe should encourage archaeology and heritage to re-examine narratives and practices. This talk discusses Norway's capital, Oslo, as a case study. Archaeology and cultural heritage has had minor impact on immigrant communities in Norway, and students and professionals are largely recruited among Northern Europeans. Surveys indicate that practices and attitudes vary between immigrant communities, in part depending on where they originated. These surveys concerning museums and studies of educational choices in Oslo allow us to generate some hypotheses. Traditional national and ethnic narratives are probably out of step with contemporary society, and there are probably institutions in some immigrant communities that discourage participation in the cultural heritage sector. And a short bio: Christopher Prescott is presently director of the Norwegian Institute in Rome (2017-2020), and is Professor of archaeology at the University of Oslo. He has had field projects in Scandinavia and Sicily, and written about Mountain Archaeology in Norway, Neolithication, early copper use in Scandinavia, the Nordic Dagger period and Bronze Age, the history of archaeology, the relationship between humanities and science, and cultural heritage. In regard to the latter he has been particularly interested in the looting in war-torn regions and the illicit trade in antiquities, as well as the challenge globalization poses to to archaeological perceptions and practices.

• Prescott, Christopher (2017). Bronze Age landscapes in Norway - from national primordialism to human ecology. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher; Austvoll, Knut Ivar & Sand-Eriksen, Anette (2016). The Sea and Late Neolithic/Bronze Age transformations. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Den tidligste metalltiden i Norge innledes langs norskekysten. Gjennom sen-neolitikum og bronsealderen (2350-500 f.Kr.) er den materielle kulturen langs kysten bemerkelsesverdig homogen mens uttrykkene for politisk hierarki varierer. Selv om nye politiske institusjoner, teknologier (metallurgi og båtbygging), gårdsbasert jordbruk (korn og tamdyr) og maritim reise er introdusert gjennom hele regionen, så er uttrykkene etter bronsealdereliten kun funnet stedvis langs kysten. Fire regioner – Lista, Jæren, Karmøy og Sunnmøre – er brukt for å utforske etableringen og den tidlige rollen til maritime praksis i de kystnære strøkene. Vi argumenterer for at maktuttrykket og den materielle rikdommen, som konsentreres til disse fire regioner, er basert på kontroll over flaskehalser, seilingsled, båttrekk og havner langs viktige maritime ferdselsårer.

• Prescott, Christopher (2016). Are professionals a problem for heritage? Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher & Guttormsen, Torgrim Sneve (2016). Archaeology and heritage in changing societies – approaches to present and future disciplinary significance for citizens of the 21st century - Introduction. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Virtually all contemporary societies display historical or on-going migration, and global migration is profoundly changing how people perceive their societies. This raises questions of how archaeology and heritage can be resources for all citizens of the 21st century. A consequence of migration is societies that are increasingly ethnically and culturally diverse. Traditional questions concerning diversity related to national minorities or traditional multi-ethnic societies are but one matter concerning ethnic diversity. Understandings shaped from an immigrant perspective raise a series of other, little explored issues. Diversity in ethnic nationalist terms is not the same as diversity assessed from a regionalist perspective. Questions that arise are: What is the role of archaeology, museums and heritage in a world of migration? How can archaeology and heritage studies contribute to how societies define themselves, now and in the future? We invite speakers to explore how archaeology and heritage in contemporary societies is evolving in relation to the forces of migration, cultural diversity and diaspora cultures. Suggested topics may be how archaeology is related to transnational and transitional knowledge, the development of heritage in the future as a result of migration, contemporary migration in light of historical movements, neo-colonialism, global tourism, cosmopolitanism, and segmentation vs. dialogues between groups. Keywords: Migration, multiculturalism, internationalism, public archaeology, world archaeology, archaeological theory

• Prescott, Christopher (2016). Looting and illicit trade in cultural artefacts: challenges and implications for academia. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The Taliban’s demolition of the Bamiyan Valley Buddhas March 2001 created consternation around the globe. The confused history of the Taliban’s actions is an early case of something new in the post-WW2 epoch. Large-scale, multi-goaled, non-negotiable destruction in failed sates, assisted by a global instantaneous market, technology, religious-ideological propaganda has conceivably raised destruction of archaeological sites and material heritage in the most central areas of early human history, to new levels. Though the iconoclastic destruction that has been front page news is serious, another activity is irreparably destroying archaeological source materials: looting, smuggling and collecting. Trade in archaeological materials is probably a more serious long term destructive force than IS’s media-covered destruction of iconic sites. A number of academics shrug their shoulders when it comes to trade, collecting and the colleagues who enable this activity. Many look upon it as a crime without a victim – and I’ve often enough heard that archaeologists are over-sensitive or selfish. It is perhaps there not a surprise that researchers, public institutions and pillars-of-society are involved in this business. A defence for academic assistance is usually structured around “saving what can be saved for research”, and by extension: research is above other social, political, long term and ethical concerns, and there can be not curtailing of freedom of research. It feels absurd to explain to humanity scholars in 2016 that researchers have ethical obligations, and that freedom of research does not mean that anything goes – that ethics is more than an abstract theoretical construct that is discussed at mandatory seminars for PhD-students.

• Prescott, Christopher (2016). Kulturarv og krig i Irak og Syria. Fra haug ok heidni. p. 8–12. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Dagens Irak og Syria er blant de viktigste steder i menneskehetens historie. Her ble jordbruket oppfunnet, skriftspråket tatt i bruk, de første byer tok form, mektige riker og stater oppsto, verdensreligioner har sine røtter her, impulser mellom Asia og Europa ble formidlet gjennom regionens byer og havner. Arkitektur, kunst og litteratur fra regionen har preget verden frem til i dag. Arkeologien i dette området er rik, og utforskingen av menneskehetens historie gjennom utgravinger og nye studier av gamle funn vil kunne gi viktige innsikter - men krig og plyndring raserer kildene til vår studiet av fortiden i et tempo verden har knapt sett tidligere. Under en hver krig blir arkeologiske lokaliteter, monumenter og museer skadet og lagt i grus. I løpet av de siste tiårenes stridigheter i Midtøsten har bomber, skudd, tungt utstyr og militære anlegg påført kulturminnene ubotelige skader. I midlertid representerer ideologisk rasering og plyndring enda mere ødeleggende krefter, og kulturminnene er ekstremt utsatte. Det er nettopp kulturhistoriens ikoniske kraft i dette område - gjenstandenes verdi og stedene som mange knytter til historien - som gjør de arkeologiske lokaliteter og gjenstander til et mål for krigende parter og kriminelle grupper. Historien, mytene og identitetene knyttet til kulturarven gjør at ødeleggelsene inngår i den kulturelle og etnisk rensingen som foregår i Irak og Syria. Kulturarven brukes av flere parter i den religiøse, kulturelle og etniske krigspropagandaen. Plyndring, smugling og omsetting gir inntekter til de stridene. Samlere i Midtøsten, Asia, Europa og Amerika får et rikt tilbud av gjenstander, og kriminelle i Asia og Europa tjener store summer. Det samlede resultatet er at kildene til vår fortid går tapt, funnkontekster raseres, terrorgrupper finansierer nye angrep og kriminelle grupper fortsetter med menneskehandel, våpensalg og narkotika. «Den islamske stat» -IS -har hatt en fremtredende plass i medieoppmerksomheten, men en rekke grupper har bidratt til å rasere monumenter, arkeologiske lokaliteter og museer.

• Prescott, Christopher (2015). Norsk gråsonehandel med kulturminner: NRKs Skriftsamleren. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Møte med Schøyen/Braarvik-saken ble en vekker for arkeologer, kulturminneforvaltningen og politikerne. Saken skapte en sterkere bevissthet omkring plyndring, smugling, omsetting og samling av kulturgjenstander. Fokus ble ikke minst rettet mot akademikeres og kulturinstitusjoners rolle i denne virksomhet. Innledningsvis snakker jeg litt om sakens historikk, og deretter om dens betydning for hvor vi står i dag - ikke minst med tanke på den sene (2007) ratifiseringen av UNESCOs 1970-konvensjon. Deretter vises del 1 av NRK-dokumentaren 'Skriftsamleren’."

• Prescott, Christopher (2015). Sale of cultural artefacts: Challenges and implications for museums and experts? Hvilke utfordringer gir omsetningen av arkeologisk materiale for fagmiljøer og museer? Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2015). Excavations in Skrivarhelleren in Sogn (Norway) – challenging notions of center and periphery in Scandinavia. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher; Biehl, Peter F.; Comer, Douglas & Soderland, Hilary (2015). SUSTAINING HERITAGE: NEW DIRECTIONS FOR ARCHAEOLOGY (symposium). Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Symposium · SUSTAINING HERITAGE: NEW DIRECTIONS FOR ARCHAEOLOGY (SPONSORED BY SAA HERITAGE VALUES INTEREST GROUP; ICAHM/ICOMOS) Sustainability at its core depends on proactive engagement and a preemptive outlook that embraces durability, balance, and equity. As a concept and aspiration, it entered development and conservation well before archaeology or heritage studies. So, what does sustainability mean for the preservation of the past? How can current global needs be met without compromising resources for future generations? In well-documented ways, heritage is particularly vulnerable to the pressures of our globalized society. Archaeological materials in context provide unique sources of information and experience. They are under increasing threat, whilst methods and definitions that we employ in heritage studies concurrently constantly expand and produce new material. The focus of this session is 'sustaining heritage.' The challenge is to move beyond established epistemological approaches to consider how the heritage of the past can embrace a sustainable future, while accurately formulating and communicating these issues with necessary impact. What does it mean when the future is privileged or at least accorded the same degree of importance as the present, or indeed the past? Session papers address these issues and examine how balance, continuity, and inter-generational equity – enfolded in sustainability – apply to archaeological heritage.

• Prescott, Christopher (2015). Plyndring og omsetting av kulturgjenstander fra Irak og Syria. Miljøkrim : tidsskrift for miljøkriminalitet. ISSN 1501-5920. 2015(2), p. 45–46. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher & Melheim, Anne Lene (2015). Skrivarhelleren in Sogn - challenging notions of centre and periphery. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2015). 4000–1700 f.Kr.: yngre steinalder: -Midt i matfatet -Bofast uten jordbruk -Der jordbrukerne møtte jegerne -Bondesamfunnet etableres -Omveltning av samfunnet -Høvdingdømmer vokser fram -Steinalderkulturer -Fra jegere til bønder -Jordbruk – en ny levemåte -Helleristninger og veidekunst -Mangfoldige gravfunn -En jordbruksrevolusjon? -Nye teknologier. Norgeshistorie.no. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Yngre steinalder, «neolitikum», er steinaldernes sluttepoke og tiden da jordbruket tas opp. I Norge levde fangstøkonomien likevel videre gjennom yngre steinalder. Først fra 2400 f.Kr. opptrer virkelige gårdssamfunn i Norge, men da som del av en kulturpakke som omfattet arkitektur, sjøfart, teknologi, språk og gravskikk. Denne pakken kom med innvandrere fra klokkebegerkulturen. .. Veien fra jordbrukets oppkomst til gårdsetableringen er lang: Etter istiden, 9500 f.Kr., begynte folk i Midtøsten å holde dyr og dyrke planter. Jordbruket ble så spredt gjennom Europa fra 5600 til 5300 f.Kr., mens den eldste kulturen som drev landbruk i nord, traktbegerkulturen, etablerte seg i Skandinavia rundt 3950 f.Kr. Hvorfor begynte man med jordbruk? Én forklaringsmodell legger befolkningsøkning og ressurssvikt til grunn, at folk måtte finne nye måter å skaffe mat på. Men modellen mangler grunnlag i kildematerialet ‒ befolkningsøkningen var snarere et resultat av økt matproduksjon. En annen teori har overflod som utgangspunkt og hevder eliter blant jegere/sankere vant støtte gjennom fester med kjøtt og alkohol. For å sikre råvarene begynte man med jordbruk. Andre teorier legger heller vekt på ulike ideologiske motiver. Det første jordbruket i Europa og Skandinavia er i alle fall knyttet til innvandring av bønder. Folketomme deler av Europa ble kolonisert, men i Norge fantes det veltilpassete fangstsamfunn. Deres motstand gjorde at det tok lang tid før gården ble etablert.

• Prescott, Christopher; Biehl, Peter F.; Comer, Douglas & Soderland, Hilary (2015). Sustainable heritage tourism: session introduction. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Archaeology has long been a major component of the tourism industry, and archaeological or heritage tourism is closely but not exclusively connected to the World Heritage List. On a global, national and regional level heritage tourism recognizes and draws on the cultural richness of a region’s history and identity, and has the potential to bring local or descendant communities financial gain. This session examines collaborative approaches to the relationship between heritage management and tourism development. What is the role of the archaeologist in the sustainable and responsible development and maintenance of archaeological and heritage tourism? How can archaeologists and heritage managers engage with local and descendant communities to communicate best practices for sustainable heritage tourism to the public, tourist companies, as well as legislators and policy makers? The session invites speakers to discuss their own field research and case studies showing positive and negative examples of communicating archaeology via tourism. Contributors are also encouraged to engage in the discussion of owner- and stewardship that archaeological heritage tourism has brought forward in national, regional, and global contexts

• Prescott, Christopher (2015). Scandinavia: Is there an alternative to the nation narrative. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  National agendas fuelled the rise of historical disciplines in Scandinavia. A lack of written sources gave archaeology a privileged position in the postulated co-development of people, culture and environment at the heart of nation narratives. National 499 LEGACIES AND VISIONS agendas engendered comprehensive legislation, powerful archaeological resource management, and access to prestige and resources. For political and scientific reasons the overt national rhetoric was abandoned in archaeology from the 1970’s. But was it replaced by “progressive” identity narratives that are not substantially different? Globalisation is pressing a number of issues and this paper discusses: - With mass migration into Scandinavia, the taken-for-granted identity narratives of homogeneous populations are under pressure, but do the alternatives engage the heterogeneous public? - The valid critique of national agendas and their premises (like local development) led to an abandonment of research into the history of cultural institutions (like Indo-European language) that were perceived as part and parcel of nationalism – leaving the fields uncontested to fringe groups and chauvinist agendas. - The extreme right has also appropriated “progressive” archaeological narratives concerned with ecology, identity, authenticity etc. - Private antiquities collectors appeal to internationalist arguments, creating an altruistic defense for looting and smuggling that destroys our source materials. - International agreements have limited impact on illicit trade, and in practice strong national antiquities services protect archaeological sites on the supply side, whilst national legislation in recipient countries inhibit the trade on the demand end.

• Prescott, Christopher (2015). The Sea and Bronze Age transformations in western Scandinavia. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In Scandinavian archaeology, the sea is important in terms of chronology, geography, environment, events and conceptualization of history and anthropology. Since the earliest settlements, the sea has provided food, materials and transportation. With the transformation of Scandinavian societies in the mid-third millennium, the role of the sea and waterways is vital, and also develops and is transformed. The spread of new social, economic and cultural institutions were dependent on sea travel, regional networks were reliant on communication across open stretches of the sea, control of maritime nodal points is a source of power, and maritime realization is a driving societal force. The importance of the sea is manifested in symbols of power and identity, like the emplacement of monuments, the furnishing of elite graves or in rock art. The role of the sea and waterways is central to the increasingly sophisticated theoretical and empirical understandings of the complex societies of the Nordic Late Neolithic and Bronze Age (2400-300 BCE). The present paper explores some of these aspects to outline a comprehensive understanding of the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age in western Scandinavia.

• Prescott, Christopher & Melheim, Anne Lene (2014). Skrivarhelleren, Holsbru. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2014). Arkeologi i skjæringssonen mellom prinsipper og praksis. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Arkeologi i skjæringssonen mellom prinsipper og praksis Etikk er ofte en litt trøtt øvelse, der alle er enige så lenge man holder seg til velmenende moralske prinsipper, som deretter nedfeller seg i ulike etiske retningslinjer. Når man derimot beveger seg fra det abstrakte til å vurdere handlinger og holdninger drevet av reelle interesser, blir debatten ofte intens. I akademia er «kunnskap» den grunnleggende referansestandarden i verdispørsmål. Selv om kunnskapsproduksjon og -formidling er å betrakte som «etiske imperativer» kan ikke kunnskap uten videre «trumfe» andre politiske, sosiale, juridiske og økonomiske hensyn. Det er heller ikke alltid gitt hvilke kunnskapsinteresser som bør prioriteres. Etikk er også knyttet til interesser og prioriteringer. Vurderinger av «hva man bør gjøre» referer tilbake til ulike grunnprinsipper på en ytterskala fra en nytte-orientert «konsekvensialisme» til en prinsipiell deontologi. I norsk sammenheng legger man ofte vekt på om aktørens hensikter var tilsynelatende gode. Ut fra sesjonens problemstilling og debatter i norske fagmiljø i nyere tid, vil jeg diskutere to problemstillinger. Det første er knyttet til plyndring, ulovlig/uetisk omsetning og samling av kulturgjenstander. Dette er ikke først og fremst en presentasjon av de nokså nedslående ødeleggelser og ran av vår kulturarv de senere årene. Med utgangspunkt i norske eksempler (der det som skjedde rundt Schøyen-saken er det største og mest kjente kasus) skal jeg drøfte noe av de responsene som oppstår og det ansvaret fagfolk har i slike situasjoner. Det andre eksemplet knytter seg til det økende omfanget av «skattejakt» med metalldetektor, og hvilke interesser som knytter seg til forskning, forvaltning og publikumsengasjement. Her kan ulike interesser skape motstridende etiske argumenter. Jeg tar utgangspunkt i en studie Josephine M. Rasmussen har nylig publisert i Norwegian Archaeological Review. Denne har skapt betydelig debatt i flere miljøer. Etiske vurderinger eksisterer ikke i et tidløst moralsk vakuum. Nye etiske problemstillinger blir presserende når sosiale eller politiske forhold endres. I dag skaper globalisering, teknologi, reiseinfrastruktur og konflikter nye utfordringer i hele kulturarvssektoren. Problemstillingene reist i dette foredraget springer i stor grad ut fra det siste tiårets globaliserte politiske, økonomiske og teknologiske omveltninger. Til slutt vil jeg knytte noen kommentarer til spørsmål om hvordan etikk ivaretas.

• Prescott, Christopher & Fredriksen, Per Ditlef (2014). Høyere utdanning i endring: Hvordan møter arkeologi utfordringene (... i en oppgangstid)? Full text in Research Archive
• Melheim, Anne Lene & Prescott, Christopher (2014). Skrivarhelleren - Årdal i ei brytningstid. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2014). Neolitikum på norsk? Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2013). Challenges to outreach and training in the midst of a demographic shift; Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Prescott, Christopher (2025). Feltkurs på Penne 2007-2009. Farsund kommune, Agder. Kulturhistorisk museum, Universitetet i Oslo, Arkeologisk seksjon . Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  De arkeologiske undersøkelser på Penne 2007-09 var i et fredet område eid av Kulturhistorisk museum i Oslo (KHM). Penne og Penne utmark karakteriseres av et stort antall forhistoriske tufter, gravminner, lave røyser, ledegjerder og innhengninger, så vel som rester av et tradisjonelt agrarlandskap (Mydland 1991). Undersøkelsene var et samarbeide mellom KHM, Institutt for arkeologi, konservering og historie (IAKH), Vest-Agder Fylkeskommune (VAF -i dag del av Agder Fylkeskommune) og Arkeologisk Museum ved Universitetet i Stavanger (AmS). Det faglige utgangspunktet var prosjektleders interesse for endringer i Norge i det 3. og 2. årh. f.Kr., og den antatte sentrale rolle Lista og Sørvest-Norge spilte i de historiske rollene som gården, sjøfart og teknologi spilte i Skandinavia (Prescott 2007). Disse tema var sentrale i det NFR-finansierte prosjektet Struktur og historie ved KHM ledet av Håkon Glørstad, der IAKH inngikk som partner. Det var derfor naturlig at undersøkelsene på Lista inngikk i dette prosjektet. Gårdsundersøkelser er gjerne knyttet til vegetasjonshistorie, og paleobotaniker Lisbeth Prøsch-Danielsen fra Arkeologisk museum AmS), Universitetet i Stavanger deltok i undersøkelsene.

• Roland, Håkon & Prescott, Christopher (2022). Report with assessment and recommendations concerning objects impounded at Martin Schøyen's residence August 24, 2021. Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In 2021 The Embassy of Iraq requested assistance from the Norwegian Ministry of Culture and pertinent authorities to secure 107 cuneiform objects and 656 Jewish incantation bowls suspected of originating from Iraq, now in the possession of the Norwegian collector Martin Schøyen. The Iraqi embassy asserted that the objects are illicitly obtained and exported from Iraq, and hence acquired illegally by Schøyen. On request, the Museum of Cultural History formally joined the National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime in Norway (Økokrim) and participated in the police operation in August 2021 directed towards Martin Schøyen with the intention of seizing the artefacts. During the search, a total of 83 of the requested objects were identified and seized. The artefacts were transported to the museum's premises in Oslo for documentation and preparation for the museum’s assessment report. The 249 pages report was published on Regjeringen.no in March 2022.

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