Classical Blues

Abstract

EARLY ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology in Scandinavia, in particular Denmark and Sweden, has unusually deep roots (Randsborg 1992b; 1994). A historical consciousness is perhaps as old as the Neolithic, if not older, and academic archaeological-historical questions were raised by the close of the Viking Age, at least (Randsborg 1999a) (table I). Digging in ancient monuments was taking place by the same period, if not earlier. Conscious disturbances or plunderings —indeed, attempts at alterating the course of history —were carried out from the close of the Neolithic on (Randsborg 1998a). Proper excavations date to at least the Late Middle Ages, with collections, in some form, also predating the Renaissance (cf. Randsborg 1994). Scientific museums, huge topographical data-bases and scientific literature emerges around 1600, in particular with Danish Ole Worm. Later developments comprise, e.g. , the investigations of the mounds at Uppsala, Uppland (cf. Klindt-Jensen 1975, 29f ) and of the Kiffvig/Kivik grave in Skåne/Scania (Randsborg 1993), even the Jelling monuments in Jylland/Jutland (ICrogh 1993). A Scandinavian interest in the history and archaeology of the Mediterranean and the Near East may already be present in the picture programme of the Kivik grave of 1300 BC, if not earlier (Randsborg 1993), and in the Gundestrup cauldron of c. 100 BC (Kaul 1995), but is certified for the Roman Imperial Age, and later. The Mediterranean perspective was secured by the adoptation of Christianity, links with the Pope and Byzantium, and even the Crusades. Archaeologically, this is demonstrated, e.g. , by the collection of Roman gemmae among the Scandinavian clergy, even during the post-Roman Gothic movement (Randsborg 1994). In the Renaissance, members of the Danish elite travelled even to Egypt and Ethiopia and brought collections home. The Danish expedition by Carsten Niebuhr (to the Near East) coincides with the haydays of interest in the Civilizations of the Mediterranean (Randsborg 1992b). The