ACROSS THE NORTH SEA CONFERENCE
22 - 27 September 2009
Odense and Copenhagen
The conference was held from 22nd to 27th September and attended by just over 40 delegates mainly from Britain and Denmark. For me it provided an infrequent chance to indulge jointly in two hobby interests - a love of many things Danish and a fascination with industrial history / archaeology - and as well an excuse to get a few extra days in the country.
The warmth of the reception by the Odense Museum in Moentergaarden on the fist evening set the tone for what was to follow. The next day at the University of Southern Denmark was taken up with the presentation of the first group of the couple of dozen conference papers. They ranged from addressing the different structure, research and education in Danish and British archaeology, cultural landscapes, saltmaking and other industrial processes to Scots in Elsinore. There were also several reminding us of the massive excavation project needed before the new Copenhagen metro line is constructed and the difficulty of archaeological digging in Danish cemeteries which has arisen with the criteria not being as well established as in Britain.
The first full day ended with a coach tour of parts of Funen around Odense. At Lille Pederstrup we were reminded of the difference between Danish and British law in the protection of buildings of outstanding historical merit. It was sad to see a large farm which was moved there from Store Pederstrup early in the 17th century in such a sad state of decay, especially as it had some unique features such as a roof supported by centre posts. This was one instance where British listing of buildings and concern for protecting cultural heritage leads Denmark.
Thursday and Friday were spent in the city centre at Rosenbaek Huset, a modern hall, discussing more of the papers and trying to resist, if somewhat weakly, the temptations of the cakes at coffee time and the delightful lunches. The walking tour of the old city on Thursday evening ended with yet more food at Den Grimme Aelling for dinner. The Odense part of the conference concluded on Friday with a reception at the Raadhus and a tour of the building, both greatly appreciated.
Saturday morning gave the opportunity to experience crossing the new bridge on the way to Copenhagen. After lunch in the museum and a talk on the coming extensive metro project excavations and the demands it is making on resources, members enjoyed the chance to look around the displays. Then followed a conducted walk through parts of the old city. Local museums in Denmark having the responsibility for all archaeological work in their area illustrated yet another of the differences which were highlighted between the countries.
The conference ended on Sunday after visiting the Diesel House at the H.C. Oersted Power Plant by the South Harbour in Copenhagen to see the new exhibition space and experience what was the world's largest land-base diesel engine actually working. There had been in a few days many friendships made, much work done, great hospitality experienced, differences in practices explored and for all the desire to return to Denmark to see and learn more.
For any interested in industrial history and post mediaeval archaeology two websites are worth a visit - www.spma.org.uk and www.industrial-archaeology.org.uk
The SPMA conference "Exploring the New world Transitions" is in St Johns Newfoundland next June and the Association for Industrial Archaeology (AIA) conference week 2010 will be based at Penryn, Cornwall in early September.
If delegates have their way this conference will not be the last of such ventures, perhaps next time you may be able to go.
Patrick Nott
