Digital technology brings archaeology to life in Uppåkra

Under the fields of Uppåkra, a dramatic story is hidden. People have lived here for 1100 years and archaeologists have found remains from a small-scale Iron Age settlement from around the 100th century BC. Over time, the area grew, and Uppåkra likely formed an impressive sight in the landscape with longhouses, workshops, furnaces, storerooms and farmhouses scattered over an area covering at least 44 hectares. Uppåkra became one of the largest settlements in northern Europe. After the 11th century, Lund came to take over Uppåkra's role as the center of power in the region.

On Uppåkra Archaeological Center nine people work, and two of them are archaeologists Sofia Winge and Linda Spanier. They tell us how, for about fifteen years, there has been a digital revolution in archaeology in the field of excavations, for example through new and improved techniques for documentation and new methods of analysis (DNA and e-DNA, for example). In recent years, digital technology has also become an increasingly important part of how to display locations and collections.

- During the pandemic, we had to try something different and then arranged digital sales days*, says Linda Spanier. It was very appreciated, we had a lot of viewers and at the same time we learned a lot.

The pandemic ended but the idea of digital broadcasting remained alive. Therefore, next year's Uppåkrada Days will be arranged in a digital format with physical additions on site in Uppåkra - all in order to reach out more broadly.

- We have the potential to attract many visitors, customers, experts and researchers, says Linda Spanier. Uppåkra is an amazing place with a grandeur that lasted a long time but which also has a connection with other places, for example through the travels of the Vikings. Digital is a great way to make it easier to communicate across borders.

Next year's digital Upåkradags means a broadcast with pre-recorded material from this year combined with live broadcasts of what will take place next year. This year's event includes a talk show, guests Christer Fuglesang and County Governor Anneli Hultén as well as material about how people lived and worked and what clothes they wore. In addition, recordings were made with children's book author Martin Widmark.

Digitalisation at Uppåkra archaeological centre is not just about Uppåkradagarna, but for two years Uppåkra has been featured in the school version of Minecraft. Soon there will be a Swedish version in Minecraft Education Edition (the current one is in English) and after that, it is hoped that Uppåkra will be included in the so-called Bedrock edition, that is, more accessible to a wider public who wants to try their hand at playing. Minecraft can be described as a game in which you can create environments yourself from ready-made building blocks.

- We carried out a research project with Malmö University and Uppåkraskolan on how we could make the place livelier for many children. During the project, Minecraft was suggested as a good way, says Sofia Winge, who is responsible for the project.

So now schoolchildren can visit digital Uppåkra, meet the staff and dig and make finds themselves.

- In the game, the children can show the findings to me, Linda and Uppåkra's scientific advice that tells us what it is, continues Sofia Winge. Some finds are triggerpoints that take children back in time, and we can show material from all five parts of the Iron Age. It's a cool place where you can train as a Viking, wrestle, shoot with bow and arrow but also build buildings and the whole itself. The story of Uppåkra comes into the missions that the children perform.

Digitalisation is also an important part of future plans.

- We want to visualize what happened under our feet through digital aids so that visitors can understand the greatness of Uppåkra and to make the place less abstract, says Sofia Winge.

So far, it is not clear how to do this, but the possibilities are many.

- We have discussed projections to show the area, says Linda Spanier. I also see a potential in asking AI to build an interpretation of Uppåkra. We could use holograms, sound and light so that one can experience the place with many senses.

For Uppåkra, it is always important that the operations take place on a multidisciplinary basis and it is natural to involve experts from many areas. Despite all the work with other disciplines and new technologies, nevertheless, the work with shovels and hoes in the soil will always be central.

- Of course, we maintain that archeology is an excavation and a physical contact with the site is important for experiencing it for real. Then, of course, digital is a very good reinforcement, concludes Sofia Winge.

Future by Lund is working with Uppåkra Archaeological Center to create an innovation portfolio called “Archaeology and Immersive tech”. Read more about our portfolio work here.

Archaeology and new technologies

The portfolios make us playable for the future

*The Vendel period dates from about 550 BC to the year 800.