Prepared for everything…

…pure brain and muscle…

….and a never ending hunger for archaeology.

Martin Gamon
… 32 years old, is in his Master studies at the Institute of Prehistory and Historic Archaeology. For many years he has been an essential part of the LBI team and has gone along on many excavations in that time. His very first excavation took place between the years of 2005 and 2008, at Scheibenstuhl in his hometown Nenzing (Vorarlberg), Austria, where Bronze age and Iron age structures were examined. While Martin is knowledgable of all sorts of Prospection methods, it is especially airborne prospection that peaked his interest. Quite fittingly, considering the mountainous landscape of Martin’s home region, he is also very interested in mining archaeology and archaeological methods in montane areas. This project at Borre brings back good memories for Martin, as he has visited Norway in 2009 already with some of his colleagues.

Clemens Klotz
… is a 21 year old student at the Vienna Institute of Prehistory and Historic Archaeology. He joined this project because in fact, Clemens saw it as a good reason to finally start his long awaited journey to Norway. Additionally, it was the hope of finding archaeological remains which date to the Viking Age that convinced him to join. When the WW II anti-aircraft warfare structure was excavated, Clemens found it especially intriguing. Modern history has already been one of his interests before, but working at a structure like this was quite the experience for him. Aside from modern history, medieval archaeology and Experimental Archaeology are among his fields of interest. Although he has not yet gotten the chance to gather experience in Experimental Archaeology, he would very much enjoy learning more about it. „I think my favourite job would be working at the Vikingeskibsmuseet in Roskilde. I love the technology of ship building, so working at one of their reconstruction projects would be amazing.“

Marco Prehsegger
… 24 years old, is also in the middle of his Bachelor degree at our institute. Although this is only his second excavation university-wise, he already started working at ASINOE (Archäologische Soziale Initiative Niederösterreich). If you know Marco, you also know of his enthusiasm for all things concerning Experimental Archaeology. He is very actively participating in a variety of projects in the field and always looks for ways to expand his knowledge of ancient technologies. “I simply think Experimental Archaeology is a great way of showing past ways of living and working. I am also greatly interested in Geoarchaeology. I think it makes a lot of sense to look into it, because it enables archaeologists to better understand stratification units and formation processes.“
Marco told us that he greatly appreciated the communication among all of our team – he said that he knows how hard it can be to live together with so many people for so long, which is why he appreciated the atmosphere in our group. Furthermore, he feels lucky to have made contact with Experimental Archaeology enthusiasts like Kari Marie Helland, who we have mentioned in our Blog before. “She got me a huge block of flintstone!“, Marco added excitedly.

Julia Rechling
… is 25 years old. She, too, is doing her Bachelor’s degree at the Institute of Prehistory and Historic Archaeology in Vienna and joins the LBI now for the second time for one of their projects. Her first excavation was in Schwarzenbach, Austria, where the LBIs methods convinced Julia on joining Wolfgang and his Team on his next excavation. And it was a lucky strike that this next project would take place here at Borre, next to the famous grave mounds, as one of Julia’s greatest interests in archaeology are precisely gravemounds. To be involved in the excavation of burial grounds is one of her wishes for the future. Nevertheless, it is not only the ways of how people were once laid to rest that are of interest for Julia, though, she also enjoys learning about settlement archaeology and could gather her first experience in the field during her very first excavation.
When asked about her future plans, Julia thought for a moment but answered quite honestly that she wouldn’t want to narrow it down, yet. She feels like she still needs to see and learn more, before she can find her specific field. „I have only ever worked with the LBI, therefore I only know their methods… But during this last month I think I learned how very important it is to work precise and thorough in the field. And good team play! I definitely learned how important team play is. Both in and outside of work.“

Carina Femböck
… is a 29 year old archaeology student. After a few years of working as an accountant, she chose to fulfill her wish of studying archaeology in addition to her job. Initially, Carina was planning on persuing an education in egyptology. However, she chose Prehistory and Historic Archaeology studies for their practical and multifaceted approach and is quite happy with balancing her job and her education. During Carina’s second excavation in Schwarzenbach, Austria, Wolfgang Neubauer approached her with the suggestion that she could come along as an Intern to work at the excavation at Borre. „I have to say, I was really happy to get this chance. Working abroad like this is an amazing opportunity to learn more.“
In her role as an Intern, Carina helped with the foto documentation and with organizing our finds. During all that work, she got a good impression of how much effort goes into the documentation.

Valentina “Vali” Laaha
…is 21 years old and studies prehistoric and historical archaeology. When asked why she chose to join this excavation, she responded, that she always wanted to work as part of an international team and get to know the working methods in other countries. Now, after nearly four weeks of excavation in Norway she is quite happy with the outcome: “Of course I came here to dig some Viking stuff, but in the end all the work with modern structures and findings was pretty exciting too and I have learned a lot.” Her first excavation was a the chalkolithic site at Attersee, Austria, where she already learned how to work with different methods of documentation. In archaeology her special interest lies in settlement archaeology, particularly in the development of settlements and methods of ancient agriculture.

Katharina Riederer
…is 20 years old and archaeology student as well. Her first excavation was at Schwarzenbach, Lower Austria and also a co-project from the University Vienna and LBI ArchPro. „I chose to partake in this project, because I really wanted to work in a foreign country, especially in Norway. And of course I wanted to join the LBI ArchPo excavation, because I know, that the variarity of digital documentation methods and the used technologies are unique.“ In archaeology she is interested in the field of aerial photograpy in which she has already gathered some experience. Since last year she works on the preparation and PR work of the exhibition at the celtic fortress in Schwarzenbach where the results of all previous excavations will be presented.

Leopold „Leo“ Toriser
…is 34 years old and is soon going to finish his Master degree in archaeology. Leo is involved with the LBI ArchPro and Wolfgang Neubauer since his second excavation in 2011. Due to the fact that he has a lot of experience in excavating and the documenting methods of the LBI, he was asked to join the excavation team. Leo has one of the most important jobs at this excavation: he is doing the Harris Matrix and the daily scetches of the whole excavation area. „What was especially appealing to me, was the combination of an rescue and an educational excavation. It was also great to check the already evalueted geomagnetic data from Borre with the results of the ongoing excavation (method development). Besides that I really enjoy working in different countries and get to know the people in everyday situations and the normal worklife – not like a tourist on holidays.“

Janika Weiß
…is 20 years old and Bachelor student in archaeology. Her first excavation was at the late bronze and iron age settlement in Meillionydd, Wales. When we asked her why she chose the excavation in Norway to be her second one, she told us about her interest in scandinavian culture and, of course, the viking age: „On a vacation in Sweden I visited some of the most important archaeological sites and was impressed by the viking age handicraft, both on jewellery and carvings.“ Janika has not jet decided which period she would like to specialize in, because she has a great interest in most of them. That is also why she is not too dissapointed that we hardly found any viking age objects: „I had a great time anyway and got the chance to learn more about laser scanning and georadar measurements. And of course excavating findings from World War II was pretty exciting too.“

Johanna Drefs

…is 23 years old and studying archaeology and history at Vienna University (even though she is originally from Hannover, Germany). Before Johanna began her studies she spend a year as an au-pair in Norway and of course she learned norwegian. This made the decision for taking part at this excavation pretty easy for her: „I always wanted to know how the norwegian archaeologists work, which methods they are using and this excavation was the perfect opportunity.“ Her first excavation was at a modern crashsite in Großraming, upper austria, which was a co-project from Vienna University, the George Washington University and the University in Maryland. She has a great interest in contemporary history and would like to work in the sector of PR or in a museum. On the question why she started studying archaeology, Johanna said, that she had a passion about it since she was a child and her parents always supported that a lot.

Julia Klug

…is 21 years old and, of course, she is studying archaeology as well. Her first excavation was at the castle Hanfelden in Styria, where the focus was mostly on the history of the building and its architecture. Julia studies art history too, so that excavation was the perfect combination of the two subjects. „There are often disputes between scientists of this two studies, but actually they have so much in common and complete each other very well.“ she explained. In archaeology Julias interests lie with medieval and modern history and she has a great fascination for toys from all different ages and countries. „My favorites are the „Kruseler Püppchen“ from the 14./15. century. I find it quite terrific, how such little artifacts can tell you so much about the common life in the past.“ she tells us with a sparkle in her eyes.

David Simböck

…is 22 years old and studies archaeology and geodesy at Vienna University. When asked why he wanted to join the project, David replied: „I have a great interest in archaeological prospection and digital documentation and the LBI ArchPro is internationally know to be a forerunner in this subjects. I knew from the beginning, that I could learn a lot from that experience and after nearly three weeks it turned out to be absolutely right.“ At the open day at the excavation he also had the chance to try out some GPR-measurements (Ground-penetrating radar), which perfectly fitted his interests in prospection and geophysic. In the future he would like to work with as many different prospection methods as possible: „This new technologies are the future of the archaeological work. I do not really have any preferences about the period, I simply would enjoy working on as many different locations as possible.“

Valentina Graf

…is 48 years old and started studying Archaeology in 2015. The excavation at Borre is her third excavation, her previous experiences she gathered in Tuskany, Italy. Through her studies in Art history Valentina discovered her passion for Archaeology, and especially for Prehistory as she is fascinated by the great variation in this field. This is also why she could not name any preferances – Valentina says she is intrigued by everything and wants to learn as much as possible. When we asked Valentina why she chose to join this excavation, she charmingly said that she likes the Archaeology students and enjoys their company, as she feels they are a close group of friends.

Rebekka Wörner

… is 25 years old and has already finished her Masters degree in History as well as in Cultural and Social Anthropology, before she started studying Archaeology. Her interests lie with textiles and with the history of archaeological research. Concerning textiles, she is especially intrigued by dyeing methods and would like to do some experiments on this in the near future. Rebekka says that, although there are some parallels in Anthropology and Archaeology, she enjoys the more practical approach of Archaeology. On why she chose this excavation, Rebekka stated that she is simply interested in the era this project is focussed on and that she always wanted to see Norway.

Fabian Benedict

…is 29 years old and soon finishing his Bachelor degree in Archaeology, additionally to his communication and PR studies. He is working as an intern at the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology, which he got involved with due to his second excavation at Schwarzenbach, Austria. Currently, Fabian is involved with the preparation and PR work of the exhibition at the celtic fortress in Schwarzenbach where the results of all previous excavations will be presented. As an intern at Borre, Fabian is responsible for the documentation with 3D Laserscanning and is teaching the students how to use it. Because he always had an interest in Scandinavia, Fabian knew without a question that he wanted to join this project. On the question why he started studying Archaeology, Fabian shrugged and smiled: „Archaeology rocks.“

Anna Zimmermann

… is 20 years old and this is her very first excavation. When asked why she wanted to join the project, Anna replied: „Because the migration period and early middle ages are simply cool topics in general.“ For her next excavation, Anna would like to work at a burial ground. She is happy to get the chance to work in Norway, some other places where Anna would enjoy working are Mongolia, Siberia and the other scandinavian countries.
She too is very fond of all things concerning textiles and crafting, even more so when they are related to archaeology. „I am interested in the development of things and people.“, Anna explained. She chose to study Archaeology because she likes to learn more about the daily lifes of common people, which she says are neglected heavily in historic written sources.

This project would not be possible without our amazing team of students from Vienna University, so today we would like to start with presenting the first three members of it:

Tristan Blazek
…is 24 years old and Bachelor student at our institute of prehistory and historic archaeology (Institut für Urgeschichte und Historische Archäologie).
“I chose to partake in this project because I am generally interested in viking age archaeology and history and because I wanted to work with state-of-the-art technology.“ Tristans‘ interests lie especially in battlefield archaeology and the iron age. Because he would like to deepen his knowledge of surveying and of working with Tachometry he is focused on practicing this at our site.

Gerhard „Gery“ Pichler
…is 26 years old and also a Bachelor student at our institute of prehistory and historic archaeology. When we asked him why he chose to come to Norway for this excavation, he responded quite casually: „I am simply interested in viking ship technology and the variations of viking art styles, especially concerning textiles. On my last dig in Meillonydd (Wales) I have already engaged with this epoch and developed my interest in it further.“
In his archaeological career Gery would like to devote his time to employment law to improve working conditions for archaeologists. His interests are widespread but are centered around methodology and new excavation techniques. 

Samuel Hageneder
…is 23 years old and, like the others, studies prehistory and historic archaeology. As one of the interns of Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology (LBI ArchPro) Samuel has taken on the important task of filing and organizing our finds.
His reason to join the project: „I wanted to find out what an LBI excavation could offer and which methods and gadgets they are using.“ With the knowledge he gathered from his previous excavations Samuel helps the other students to learn more about field work.
As special interest he mentioned experimental archaeology.