Thorsten Lemm | Leibniz-Zentrum für Archäologie (original) (raw)
Books by Thorsten Lemm
Archäologische Nachrichten aus Schleswig-Holstein digital, 2020
Archaeological News digital 2020: https://www.ansh2020.de/en/ea\_saxons-slavs-frisians-and-danes
Since the early 20th century the more than 130 hamlets or farms in Scandinavia and Orkney known b... more Since the early 20th century the more than 130 hamlets or farms in Scandinavia and Orkney known by the name Husaby, Huseby, Husby, Hoseby, Husebø etc. have been a key topic in historical, archaeological and onomastic research into the Viking Age and early Medieval Period, closely linked to the discussion of kingship and political administration. In particular, the frequent use of the place-name Huseby, their uneven distribution with the highest densities in Viken and Trøndelag (Norway) and in Uppland (Sweden), and the use of husaby(r) as an appellative in some early written sources have led to the understanding of the majority of the Husebyer as places with a royal background. While the Huseby-places have been relatively well studied in Sweden and Norway, they have so far not attracted equal attention in Denmark. On the other hand, the Danish Husebyer have been subject to analyses in the very recent past, and as a prelude to plans for a systematic investigation of the Danish Husebyer in conjunction with those in Sweden, Norway and Orkney in the coming years, the National Museum Jelling Project in March 2014 invited a group of scholars to take part in a two-day interdisciplinary workshop in Copenhagen. The aim was to focus on the current status quo of the Huseby-research and identify core targets for the future. During the workshop the following key themes were addressed:
- The current status and evidence for a dating of the Husebyer
- The origin of the presumed Huseby-system
- Possible explanations of the uneven distribution of the Husebyer
- Current interpretations of the background and the functions of the Husebyer
- Identification of Husebyer in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Orkney which hold promise for further archaeological field investigations
The workshop brought forth many interesting viewpoints and sites. The debate is by no means closed, and the question of the Husebyer and their role in contemporary political, economic and social developments holds great potential for future research.
Papers by Thorsten Lemm
Fortifications in their Natural and Cultural Landscape: From Organising Space to the Creation of Power., 2022
This paper uses the example of Saxon Nordalbingia to discuss different aspects that influenced th... more This paper uses the example of Saxon Nordalbingia to discuss different aspects that influenced the regional distribution and the local positioning of early medieval fortresses. It is argued that communication routes and protective positions in the landscape were the two main factors when deciding on a site for the construction of a fortress. First, the regional position was determined by overarching strategic considerations based on a macro perspective. Then, the decision for the actual site was made on the basis of tactical considerations from a meso perspective. Finally, the actual placement of fortification elements that made optimal use of the natural conditions at the selected site was planned from a micro perspective. While the latter two were determined by the premise of optimally incorporating the components of the natural landscape into the defence of a fortress, the former was dictated by the courses of communication routes. Hence, the knowledge of contemporaneous routes, by land and by water, is therefore of paramount importance when interpreting fortresses. This applies in particular, but not exclusively, to the interpretation of their military functions.
The ancient road network in Nordalbingia has been reconstructed to a large extent since the 1930s. However, until recently, the knowledge about this network still had some gaps. For a comprehensive evaluation of all Nordalbingian fortresses it was therefore necessary to fill these gaps and reconstruct the ancient roads in certain parts of the territory. This was done with the help of GIS-based least-cost path analyses, the results of which were compared to the distribution of archaeological sites and roads depicted on historical maps.
Horse and Rider in the Late Viking Age. Equestrian Burial in Perspective., 2021
The aim of this contribution is to discuss parallels between the 8th/9th-century Saxon and the 10... more The aim of this contribution is to discuss parallels between the 8th/9th-century Saxon and the 10th-century Danish equestrian graves, as both phenomena are to be understood as a result of direct influences of the Frankish, later East Frank-ish Kingdom. The chapter is divided into three parts. First, an overview of the Saxon grave fields and some richly furnished burials is given. Next follows a brief characterisation of Carolingian and Ottonian military organisation with a focus on the equipment of the heavy cavalry. The final part of the chapter begins with a discussion of East Frankish influence on 10th-century Den-mark and concludes with an assessment of the Danish graves from a southern perspective. The geographic focus of this paper will be the Old Saxon territory – also called Saxonia – in northern Germany (spreading over parts of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Schleswig-Holstein), as the direct neighbour of the Danish realm.
Viking
It is possible to gain insight into Frankish-Danish relations in Nordalbingia during the early 9t... more It is possible to gain insight into Frankish-Danish relations in Nordalbingia during the early 9th century based on archaeological excavation results and written sources. Such relations were characterised by armed conflicts, political intrigue and shifting alliances. The Frankish fortress of Esesfelth had a key function during this time of unrest. Emperor Charlemagne built it in AD 810, partly to prevent Danish supremacy over the Nordalbingian Saxon territory north of the River Elbe, and partly as a starting point for incorporating it into the Frankish realm. The fortress was an exceptional defensive structure without any known contemporary parallels. As the centre of Frankish administration in Nordalbingia Esesfelth became the target of an attack by combined Danish and Slavic (Obodrite) forces in AD 817. To some extent, the attack can be reconstructed by interpreting excavation results, and simulated with the aid of military theory. The results also present an excellent opportunity...
Archäologische Nachrichten Schleswig-Holstein, 2020
Archäologische Nachrichten Schleswig-Holstein, 2020
Archäologische Nachrichten Schleswig-Holstein, 2020
Archäologische Nachrichten Schleswig-Holstein, 2020
Archäologische Nachrichten Schleswig-Holstein, 2020
Husebyer ‒ status quo, open questions and perspectives, 2016
Aspects of Viking Age Urbanism, c. 750–1100. Ancient Centres, Special Economic Zones and – Restart., 2016
Archäologische Nachrichten Schleswig-Holstein, 2019
Lemm/Homann 2019: Th. Lemm and A. Homann, Der slawische Burgwall von Hammer und seine Rolle im Wa... more Lemm/Homann 2019: Th. Lemm and A. Homann, Der slawische Burgwall von Hammer und seine Rolle im Warenverkehr zwischen Elbe und Ostsee. Archäologische Nachrichten Schleswig-Holstein 25, 2019, 70–79.
Neue Studien zur Sachsenforschung 6, 2019
Archäologische Nachrichten aus Schleswig-Holstein digital, 2020
Archaeological News digital 2020: https://www.ansh2020.de/en/ea\_saxons-slavs-frisians-and-danes
Since the early 20th century the more than 130 hamlets or farms in Scandinavia and Orkney known b... more Since the early 20th century the more than 130 hamlets or farms in Scandinavia and Orkney known by the name Husaby, Huseby, Husby, Hoseby, Husebø etc. have been a key topic in historical, archaeological and onomastic research into the Viking Age and early Medieval Period, closely linked to the discussion of kingship and political administration. In particular, the frequent use of the place-name Huseby, their uneven distribution with the highest densities in Viken and Trøndelag (Norway) and in Uppland (Sweden), and the use of husaby(r) as an appellative in some early written sources have led to the understanding of the majority of the Husebyer as places with a royal background. While the Huseby-places have been relatively well studied in Sweden and Norway, they have so far not attracted equal attention in Denmark. On the other hand, the Danish Husebyer have been subject to analyses in the very recent past, and as a prelude to plans for a systematic investigation of the Danish Husebyer in conjunction with those in Sweden, Norway and Orkney in the coming years, the National Museum Jelling Project in March 2014 invited a group of scholars to take part in a two-day interdisciplinary workshop in Copenhagen. The aim was to focus on the current status quo of the Huseby-research and identify core targets for the future. During the workshop the following key themes were addressed:
- The current status and evidence for a dating of the Husebyer
- The origin of the presumed Huseby-system
- Possible explanations of the uneven distribution of the Husebyer
- Current interpretations of the background and the functions of the Husebyer
- Identification of Husebyer in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Orkney which hold promise for further archaeological field investigations
The workshop brought forth many interesting viewpoints and sites. The debate is by no means closed, and the question of the Husebyer and their role in contemporary political, economic and social developments holds great potential for future research.
Fortifications in their Natural and Cultural Landscape: From Organising Space to the Creation of Power., 2022
This paper uses the example of Saxon Nordalbingia to discuss different aspects that influenced th... more This paper uses the example of Saxon Nordalbingia to discuss different aspects that influenced the regional distribution and the local positioning of early medieval fortresses. It is argued that communication routes and protective positions in the landscape were the two main factors when deciding on a site for the construction of a fortress. First, the regional position was determined by overarching strategic considerations based on a macro perspective. Then, the decision for the actual site was made on the basis of tactical considerations from a meso perspective. Finally, the actual placement of fortification elements that made optimal use of the natural conditions at the selected site was planned from a micro perspective. While the latter two were determined by the premise of optimally incorporating the components of the natural landscape into the defence of a fortress, the former was dictated by the courses of communication routes. Hence, the knowledge of contemporaneous routes, by land and by water, is therefore of paramount importance when interpreting fortresses. This applies in particular, but not exclusively, to the interpretation of their military functions.
The ancient road network in Nordalbingia has been reconstructed to a large extent since the 1930s. However, until recently, the knowledge about this network still had some gaps. For a comprehensive evaluation of all Nordalbingian fortresses it was therefore necessary to fill these gaps and reconstruct the ancient roads in certain parts of the territory. This was done with the help of GIS-based least-cost path analyses, the results of which were compared to the distribution of archaeological sites and roads depicted on historical maps.
Horse and Rider in the Late Viking Age. Equestrian Burial in Perspective., 2021
The aim of this contribution is to discuss parallels between the 8th/9th-century Saxon and the 10... more The aim of this contribution is to discuss parallels between the 8th/9th-century Saxon and the 10th-century Danish equestrian graves, as both phenomena are to be understood as a result of direct influences of the Frankish, later East Frank-ish Kingdom. The chapter is divided into three parts. First, an overview of the Saxon grave fields and some richly furnished burials is given. Next follows a brief characterisation of Carolingian and Ottonian military organisation with a focus on the equipment of the heavy cavalry. The final part of the chapter begins with a discussion of East Frankish influence on 10th-century Den-mark and concludes with an assessment of the Danish graves from a southern perspective. The geographic focus of this paper will be the Old Saxon territory – also called Saxonia – in northern Germany (spreading over parts of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Schleswig-Holstein), as the direct neighbour of the Danish realm.
Viking
It is possible to gain insight into Frankish-Danish relations in Nordalbingia during the early 9t... more It is possible to gain insight into Frankish-Danish relations in Nordalbingia during the early 9th century based on archaeological excavation results and written sources. Such relations were characterised by armed conflicts, political intrigue and shifting alliances. The Frankish fortress of Esesfelth had a key function during this time of unrest. Emperor Charlemagne built it in AD 810, partly to prevent Danish supremacy over the Nordalbingian Saxon territory north of the River Elbe, and partly as a starting point for incorporating it into the Frankish realm. The fortress was an exceptional defensive structure without any known contemporary parallels. As the centre of Frankish administration in Nordalbingia Esesfelth became the target of an attack by combined Danish and Slavic (Obodrite) forces in AD 817. To some extent, the attack can be reconstructed by interpreting excavation results, and simulated with the aid of military theory. The results also present an excellent opportunity...
Archäologische Nachrichten Schleswig-Holstein, 2020
Archäologische Nachrichten Schleswig-Holstein, 2020
Archäologische Nachrichten Schleswig-Holstein, 2020
Archäologische Nachrichten Schleswig-Holstein, 2020
Archäologische Nachrichten Schleswig-Holstein, 2020
Husebyer ‒ status quo, open questions and perspectives, 2016
Aspects of Viking Age Urbanism, c. 750–1100. Ancient Centres, Special Economic Zones and – Restart., 2016
Archäologische Nachrichten Schleswig-Holstein, 2019
Lemm/Homann 2019: Th. Lemm and A. Homann, Der slawische Burgwall von Hammer und seine Rolle im Wa... more Lemm/Homann 2019: Th. Lemm and A. Homann, Der slawische Burgwall von Hammer und seine Rolle im Warenverkehr zwischen Elbe und Ostsee. Archäologische Nachrichten Schleswig-Holstein 25, 2019, 70–79.
Neue Studien zur Sachsenforschung 6, 2019
Publikation zur Tagung „Bilddenkmäler zur germanischen Mythologie und Heldensage: Autopsie – Dokumentation – Deutung“ in München, Siemens-Stiftung, 3.-5. März 2010. Ergänzungsbände zum Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde, 2015
Th. Lemm/S. Kalmring, The Flensburg inlet in the Viking Age – a neglected maritime cultural lands... more Th. Lemm/S. Kalmring, The Flensburg inlet in the Viking Age – a neglected maritime cultural landscape. In: B. V. Eriksen/A. Abegg-Wigg/R. Bleile/U. Ickerodt (Hrsg.), Interaktion ohne Grenzen. Beispiele archäologischer Forschungen am Beginn des 21. Jahrhunderts. Interaction without borders. Exemplary archaeological research at the beginning of the 21st century (Schleswig 2017) 631–647.
37. Tvaerfaglige Vikingesymposium, 2019
For the next 10 years of Hedeby-research a research agenda will be developed within the newly est... more For the next 10 years of Hedeby-research a research agenda will be developed within the newly established research cluster “Hedeby/Slesvig, Danevirke and Beyond”, which is structured around three thematic main complexes: I) Production, Distribution and Networks, II) Interaction of Economy and Lordship and III) the Power-Political Framework.
The annual Tværfaglige Vikingesymposium takes this year place at the “Wikinger Museum Haithabu” near Schleswig on the 1st of October, which we plan to be special not only due to the recent World Heritage nomination of the “Archaeological Border complex of Hedeby and the Danevirke”. Instead of presenting themselves and their most recent results on Hedeby/Slesvig-research at the Vikingesymposium, the organisers have invited several external specialists to present their personal view on one of the given thematic main complexes in order to test their viability independently by their skilled expert approach. On the Tværfaglige Vikingesymposium each two speakers – based on their personal point of origin in research – are planned to give an individual paper on one and the same thematic complex summarised by two final papers from both an archaeological and a historical point of view.
by Frode Iversen, Karoline Kjesrud, Frippe S, Marianne Moen, Thorsten Lemm, M. Taube, Beñat Elortza Larrea, Judith Jesch, Eva Andersson Strand, Christian Cooijmans, Laila Kitzler Åhfeldt, Joseph Thomas Ryder, Csete Katona, Anne Irene Riisøy, and Anne Risøy
VIKING WARS, 2021
The Norwegian Archaeological Society is proud to present the very first special Viking volume: VI... more The Norwegian Archaeological Society is proud to present the very first special Viking volume: VIKING WARS. The 13 articles presented in this publication represent some of the latest, and most relevant research on Viking warfare from the Viking and early Scandinavian medieval period in Europe.
The Vikings fought for power, wealth, and land in many areas of the Northern hemisphere, and left traces of their activities from Canada in the West to the Caucasus in the East. In many parts of Europe visual, literary, and material culture contain influences of past Viking activities.
This volume offers new insights on Viking female warriors; local defense systems; a Danish-Obodrite attack on a Frankish fortress; deeply rooted traditions relating to weapon production; viking encampments in Atlantic Europe; rune carvers in campaign; textiles essential for sea journeys, and related warfare; the symbolic power of weapons; the roles of Rus’ captives and slave soldiers; as well as the relationship between Viking and Norse settlers, and the local Picts of the Western Isles.
Viking Special Volume 1 is co-funded by the Centre for Viking-Age Studies (ViS) and the Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo.