Mikkel H Thomsen | Viking Ship Museum (original) (raw)

Uploads

Papers by Mikkel H Thomsen

Acta archaeologica, Jan 31, 2024

International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, Jan 23, 2023

Prior to the building of a new bridge over the Storstrømmen sound, the Viking Ship Museum perform... more Prior to the building of a new bridge over the Storstrømmen sound, the Viking Ship Museum performed an archaeological survey of the affected area. During the survey, medieval ship timbers were encountered, leading to the excavation of the aft port section of the bottom of a clinker-built vessel with external caulking laths and sintels. The building of the vessel is dendrochronologically dated to ca. AD 1250-55. The find was documented in situ using 3D photogrammetry and subsequently salvaged and acquired for further 3D laser scan documentation and conservation. This process is presented here in great detail, enabling the reader to build upon our experience, and thus contributing to the rapidly evolving best practise for underwater 3D recording. Additionally, a comprehensive programme of scientific analyses was initiated leading to elaboration on the interesting insights into the vessel’s working life.

Archaeonautica

Prior to the building of a new bridge across the Storstrømmen sound the Viking Ship Museum excava... more Prior to the building of a new bridge across the Storstrømmen sound the Viking Ship Museum excavated a section of a clinkerbuilt vessel with external waterproofing laths and sintels, dendrochronologically dated to circa AD 1250-1255. The find was documented in situ using 3D photogrammetry and subsequently salvaged for further 3D laser scan documentation and conservation. This paper presents the sparse vessel remains and places them in the context of medieval shipbuilding traditions as they are currently understood. A comprehensive programme of scientific analyses provides insight into the working life and perhaps even the internal arrangement of the vessel. Keywords Clinker-built, environmental archaeology, 13 th century, waterproofing method 1. The site history and methodology is described in a forthcoming publication by Matko Čvrljak and the author.

Kronprinsesse Marys Bro og arkæologien, Mar 2022

About the underwater archaeology prior to the construction of Kronprinsesse Marys Bro, Frederikss... more About the underwater archaeology prior to the construction of Kronprinsesse Marys Bro, Frederikssund, DK.

Open Sea/Closed Sea. Local and Inter-Regional Traditions in Shipbuilding. Proceedings of the Fifteenth International Symposium on Boat and Ship Archaeology. Marseilles 2018, 2021

Prior to the building of a new bridge across the Storstrømmen sound the Viking Ship Museum excava... more Prior to the building of a new bridge across the Storstrømmen sound the Viking Ship Museum excavated a section of a clinker-built vessel with external caulking laths and sintels, dendrochronologically dated to c. AD 1250-55. The find was documented in situ using 3D photogrammetry and subsequently salvaged for further 3D laser scan documentation and conservation. This paper presents the sparse vessel remains and places them in the context of medieval shipbuilding traditions as they are currently understood. A comprehensive programme of scientific analyses provides insight into the working life and perhaps even the internal arrangement of the vessel.

Gefjon 5, Nov 2020

This paper presents two finds of glass bottles – some of similar type – from two shipwrecks locat... more This paper presents two finds of glass bottles – some of similar type – from two shipwrecks located less than 15 km apart in the Kriegers Flak area of the Danish sector of the Baltic Sea. The significance of inscriptions and marks on two of the bottles as well as a possible Estonian origin for the bottles are explored and tendencies in the Baltic bottle trade, as revealed in the Sound Toll Registers, are presented.

Ships and maritime landscapes. Proceedings of the thirteenth international symposium on boat and ship archaeology, Amsterdam 2012, 2017

Since 2008, the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde (DK) has carried out the archaeological assessment... more Since 2008, the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde (DK) has carried out the archaeological assessment and survey required prior to the installation of the trans-Baltic Nord Stream gas pipeline through Danish waters. The project has involved desk-based screening of the data collected as well as archaeological activities in the field. Coast to coast, the 1220 km long twin pipeline crosses Russian, Finnish, Swedish, Danish and German waters. 137.6 km of this is though Danish territorial waters and EEZ. Including an alternative route design approximately 250 km of pipeline corridor has been surveyed in the Danish sector at a width of up to 2 km. Though only a small fraction of the vast seabed, the result is an overwhelming collection of hitherto unknown shipwrecks and other objects dating from the 17th century to the present day: 25 wrecks, seven possible wrecks, and five single objects - to which should be added seven presumed dump sites, the identification and dating of which are inherently problematic.
This paper briefly presents the huge research potential of the wrecks and objects discovered; the methodology employed and patterns in the chronological and spatial distribution of the finds will be discussed. Are all these wrecks, of these particular dates, really representative of the entire surrounding seabed? Or are there circumstances in space and time that explain the apparent abundance of wrecks right along the pipeline and the apparent absence of wrecks of Medieval and earlier date?

Presents the pilot project Sunkne Verdener/Worlds Beneath developed to deliver location based cul... more Presents the pilot project Sunkne Verdener/Worlds Beneath developed to deliver location based cultural heritage info to end users in situ as well as web-based.

‘Princess Hedvig Sofia’ and the Great Northern War, May 28, 2015

Marinarkeologisk Tidskrift No. 4 2013, Dec 2013

Flid og fakta 14:2, Jun 2013

This paper presents the challanges and opportunities facing a developer when a modern harbour or ... more This paper presents the challanges and opportunities facing a developer when a modern harbour or marina coincides with an archaeological site.

International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 2000

Upon the discovery and protection of a presumed 16th-century wreck off Poole Harbour, one of the ... more Upon the discovery and protection of a presumed 16th-century wreck off Poole Harbour, one of the largest underwater excavations in England was carried out between 1984 and 1992. In 1997–8 the author examined the archive and recovered objects with the aim of publishing the present report on the hull remains. The paper demonstrates how much can be learned about construction and design from in-situ recording. The similarities and differences between this vessel and other vessels of the so-called Iberian-Atlantic building tradition are analysed, and rigging modifications suggested. The vessel has never been scientifically dated, but a typological date bracket is based on onboard artefacts.

Reports by Mikkel H Thomsen

Mapping of potential cultural heritage objects on the seabed within the area of a new cable and i... more Mapping of potential cultural heritage objects on the seabed within the area of a new cable and its predecessor. A total of 131 side scan sonar anomalies have been designated along with 205 probable anthropogenic magnetic anomalies (of a total 6074). Furthermore, 10 areas with potential for Mesolithic settlement remains have been designated based on a geoarchaeological interpretation of sub-bottom profiler and borehole data. Within the ultimately chosen installation corridor, side scan sonar- and magnetic targets were later inspected by divers and three potential settlement sites subjected to mechanical trial excavation. A total of 11 objects were designated and given an exclusion zone. Of these, two were relocated outside the installation corridor.

Survey of three areas of interest where the presence of settlement remains from the Mesolithic pe... more Survey of three areas of interest where the presence of settlement remains from the Mesolithic period in a proposed natural gas installation corridor had been substantiated in a previous geoarchaeological desk study. On two of the three sites anthropogenic flint was found. However, all sites are interpreted as eroded and the artefacts thus redeposited. The areas were therefore released for construction.

Screening of geophysical and ROV video data for the Danish sector of the proposed Baltic Pipe gas... more Screening of geophysical and ROV video data for the Danish sector of the proposed Baltic Pipe gas pipeline anchor corridor. A total of 578 potential cultural history objects were considered, 521 of which were subjected to visual inspection by ROV, resulting in 39 confirmed or potential cultural history objects, for which individual exclusion zones have been proposed. Furthermore, a paleo-terrain interpreted by Rambøll as the most accurate representation of the Mesolithic terrain surface has been analysed and exclusion zones proposed for likely Mesolithic settlement ‘hotspots’.

Archaeological screening of geophysical and ROV video data for the Danish sector of the proposed ... more Archaeological screening of geophysical and ROV video data for the Danish sector of the proposed Baltic Pipe gas pipeline across the Baltic Sea, resulting in 137 confirmed or potential cultural history objects, for which individual exclusion zones have been proposed. Additionally, a paleo-terrain interpreted as the most accurate representation
of the Mesolithic terrain has been analysed and likely ‘hotspots’ for Mesolithic settlements identified.

Acta archaeologica, Jan 31, 2024

International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, Jan 23, 2023

Archaeonautica

Kronprinsesse Marys Bro og arkæologien, Mar 2022

Open Sea/Closed Sea. Local and Inter-Regional Traditions in Shipbuilding. Proceedings of the Fifteenth International Symposium on Boat and Ship Archaeology. Marseilles 2018, 2021

Prior to the building of a new bridge across the Storstrømmen sound the Viking Ship Museum excava... more Prior to the building of a new bridge across the Storstrømmen sound the Viking Ship Museum excavated a section of a clinker-built vessel with external caulking laths and sintels, dendrochronologically dated to c. AD 1250-55. The find was documented in situ using 3D photogrammetry and subsequently salvaged for further 3D laser scan documentation and conservation. This paper presents the sparse vessel remains and places them in the context of medieval shipbuilding traditions as they are currently understood. A comprehensive programme of scientific analyses provides insight into the working life and perhaps even the internal arrangement of the vessel.

Gefjon 5, Nov 2020

Ships and maritime landscapes. Proceedings of the thirteenth international symposium on boat and ship archaeology, Amsterdam 2012, 2017

‘Princess Hedvig Sofia’ and the Great Northern War, May 28, 2015

Marinarkeologisk Tidskrift No. 4 2013, Dec 2013

Flid og fakta 14:2, Jun 2013

International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 2000

Mapping of potential cultural heritage objects on the seabed within the area of the export cable ... more Mapping of potential cultural heritage objects on the seabed within the area of the export cable for a proposed wind farm. 43 side scan sonar anomalies have been designated. Also, a total of 1292 magnetic anomalies were charted. 45 of these have, experimentally, been highlighted as possible anthropogenic objects. All of these may potentially represent sites protected by the Danish Museum Act. Furthermore, the geological interpretation of sub-bottom profiler data has been screened without finding potential areas with Mesolithic settlement remains.

Mapping of potential cultural heritage objects on the seabed within the area of a proposed wind f... more Mapping of potential cultural heritage objects on the seabed within the area of a proposed wind farm (incl. associated export cable). 384 side scan sonar anomalies or groups hereof have been designated along with 145 magnetic anomalies. Furthermore, five areas with potential for Mesolithic settlement remains have been designated based on a geological interpretation of sub-bottom profiler data.

Mapping of potential cultural heritage objects on the seabed within the area of a proposed wind f... more Mapping of potential cultural heritage objects on the seabed within the area of a proposed wind farm (incl. associated export cable). 81 side scan sonar anomalies or groups hereof have been designated along with 87 magnetic anomalies. Furthermore, four areas with potential for Mesolithic settlement remains have been designated based on a geological interpretation of sub-bottom profiler data.

A shipwreck encountered during installation of a subsea cable was experimentally recorded and sub... more A shipwreck encountered during installation of a subsea cable was experimentally recorded and subsequently reburied. It has not been possible to identify or date the wreck, but it is, beyond reasonable doubt, protected by the Danish Museum Act.

Identification of potential cultural heritage objects potentially conflicting with the installati... more Identification of potential cultural heritage objects potentially conflicting with the installation of new pipelines around Bornholm. This report covers a route south and east far off Bornholm, whereas the Base Case route closer to Bornholm and an alternative route north and west of Bornholm are covered in previous reports. Through an iterative process, the Viking Ship Museum has identified a number of objects on the seabed and assigned suggested exclusion zones to protect objects from damage during installation and operation of the pipeline. No objects have been recovered, and no further mitigation measures have been imposed.

Identification of potential cultural heritage objects potentially conflicting with the installati... more Identification of potential cultural heritage objects potentially conflicting with the installation of new pipelines around Bornholm. This report covers a route north and west of Bornholm, whereas the Base Case route east and south of Bornholm is covered in a previous report. Through an iterative process, the Viking Ship Museum has identified a number of objects on the seabed and assigned suggested exclusion zones to protect objects from damage during installation and operation of the pipeline. No objects have been recovered, and no further mitigation measures have been imposed.

Marinarkæologisk forundersøgelse af kabeltracé mellem Nordhavn og Middelgrundsfortet, København. ... more Marinarkæologisk forundersøgelse af kabeltracé mellem Nordhavn og Middelgrundsfortet, København. En formodet ankerstok fra 16-1700-tallet er hjemtaget og dokumenteret. Herudover blev der ikke påtruffet fortidsminder beskyttet af Museumsloven.

On behalf of Femern A/S, an extensive marine archaeological investigation was carried out in 2012... more On behalf of Femern A/S, an extensive marine archaeological investigation was carried out in 2012 on a wreck site in the Fehmarn Belt approx 4 km south of Rødby, Denmark. The wooden shipwreck can probably be identified as the Dutch ship Swarte Arent, lost in October 1644. During the investigation, the remains of the wreck were documented and trenches were excavated in and around the ship, leading to numerous finds of ship’s equipment, arms, ordnance and personal belongings of the crew. The state of the wreck was thoroughly assessed and the wreck covered for long‐term protection.

On behalf of Energinet the Viking Ship Museum has carried out an archaeological screening of geop... more On behalf of Energinet the Viking Ship Museum has carried out an archaeological screening of
geophysical and geotechnical data collected for the environmental impact assessment for the cable
corridor between a proposed offshore wind farm at Kriegers Flak and the landfall at Rødvig, Zealand.
In this 47 potential archaeological sites exposed on the seabed were identified, and near the landfall a
total distance of 2410 metres of cable route with Mesolithic settlement potential and/or need for further
investigation was designated. Based on the screening a field survey of the route segments with
settlement potential as well as visual inspection of 11 of the selected anomalies has been carried out.
Later, four additional objects (of which one proved to encompass two of the originally selected sonar
anomalies) found during an UXO survey were assessed and one of these, a shipwreck dated to the
beginning of the 19th century, was inspected using ROV and divers in order to ensure safe passage of
the cable route. Throughout this process exclusion zones as well as the cable routes have been
continuously adjusted in collaboration between the developer and the museum, ensuring that no
archaeological objects are damaged during construction. The current cable route has been released for
construction works by the Agency for Culture and Palaces on the conditions stated in this report.

Nord Stream 2 AG has asked the Viking Ship Museum to identify and assess the cultural significanc... more Nord Stream 2 AG has asked the Viking Ship Museum to identify and assess the cultural significance of objects potentially conflicting with the installation of new pipelines around Bornholm. Through an iterative process, the Viking Ship Museum has thus identified, inspected and documented a small number of discrete wooden objects on the seabed. No objects have been recovered, and no further mitigation measures have been imposed.

On behalf of Energinet.dk the Viking Ship Museum has conducted an archaeological screening of geo... more On behalf of Energinet.dk the Viking Ship Museum has conducted an archaeological screening of geophysical and geotechnical data collected for the EIA for a planned offshore wind farm on Kriegers Flak. Subsequently 111 of the picked anomalies have been visually inspected using ROV and/or diver, resulting in the identification of 15 sites protected by the Danish Museum Act. Based on a renewed geological model of the area a geoarchaeological analysis has been conducted resulting in a decision not to undertake further archaeological measures in the field aimed at Mesolithic settlement remains. Ahead of the construction of the substation platform KFA a topmast was salvaged and taken to the museum for documentation.

Prior to the building of a new Storstrøm bridge the Viking Ship Museum performed an archaeologica... more Prior to the building of a new Storstrøm bridge the Viking Ship Museum performed an archaeological survey of the affected area. During the survey post-medieval ship timbers were encountered, leading to this excavation. The find consists of three frame elements and a thick plank or wale from a clinker-built ship. The building of the vessel is dendrochronologically dated to after c. 1566 AD. The find was documented in situ using 3D photogrammetry and subsequently salvaged and acquired for further 3D laser scan documentation.

Prior to the building of a new Storstrøm bridge the Viking Ship Museum has performed an archaeolo... more Prior to the building of a new Storstrøm bridge the Viking Ship Museum has performed an archaeological survey of the affected area. During the survey medieval ship timbers were encountered, leading to this excavation. The find consists of the aft, port section of the bottom of a clinker-built vessel with external caulking laths and sintels. The building of the vessel is dendrochronologically dated to c. 1250-55 AD. The find was documented in situ using 3D photogrammetry and subsequently salvaged and acquired for further 3D laser scan documentation and conservation. Additionally a comprehensive programme of scientific analyses has been initiated. Test trenches were dug in the immediate vicinity of the wreck leading to no further finds.

Survey ahead of planned bridge across Roskilde Fjord. Few artefacts found ranging from Ertebølle ... more Survey ahead of planned bridge across Roskilde Fjord. Few artefacts found ranging from Ertebølle Culture to c. 1970 AD.

Between May 19th and 29th 2015 the Viking Ship Museum inspected a number of anomalies identified ... more Between May 19th and 29th 2015 the Viking Ship Museum inspected a number of anomalies identified on the basis of data from side-scan sonar and magnetometer, in the area affected by Vejdirektoratet’s construction of a new bridge across Storstrømmen. Among the inspected objects were elements from up to two younger wrecks, probably dating to the latter half of the 19th century, as well as from an older wreck, dendrochronlogically dated to the latter half of the 16th century. Prior to the completion of the present 2nd edition of this report one of the younger wrecks (MAG 425,8) was re-inspected with the aim of gathering datable material and a strategy for future activities on site was devised. Based on the evidence at hand and in light of the poor state of preservation it has been decided to recommend removal of the - as yet undated - wreck by means of mechanical excavator. Any necessary archaeological documentation will be carried out subsequently.

Poster about the Kalverev Syd shipwreck and the methodology employed in its excavation and post-p... more Poster about the Kalverev Syd shipwreck and the methodology employed in its excavation and post-processing. The ship has been dendrochronologically dated to ca. 1250-55 AD.

On behalf of Femern A/S, an extensive marine archaeological investigation was carried out in 2012... more On behalf of Femern A/S, an extensive marine archaeological investigation was carried out in 2012 on a wreck site in the Fehmarn Belt approx 4 km south of Rødby. The wooden shipwreck can probably be identified as the Dutch ship Swarte Arent, lost in October 1644. During the investigation, the remains of the wreck were documented and trenches were excavated in and around the ship, leading to numerous finds of ship’s equipment, arms, ordnance and personal belongings of the crew. The state of the wreck was thoroughly assessed and the wreck covered for long‐term protection.

I efteråret 2019 åbnede Vejdirektoratet den nye broforbindelse over Roskilde Fjord, som blev navn... more I efteråret 2019 åbnede Vejdirektoratet den nye broforbindelse over Roskilde Fjord, som blev navngivet efter Hendes Kongelige Højhed Kronprinsesse Mary. Forud for opførelsen af den 1,4 km lange bro og de 10 km tilhørende veje havde ROMU og Vikingeskibsmuseet foretaget omfattende arkæologiske undersøgelser henholdsvis til lands og til vands. Feltarbejdet fandt sted i perioden fra 2014 til 2017, og bevægede sig gennem et landskab, der viste sig at være rigt på fortidsminder fra de sidste 7.500 år. De arkæologiske undersøgelser, og de væsentligste af resultaterne, kan man læse om i denne bog.