A woman who was born in Trondheim at the end of the 13th century has now been brought back to life at the NTNU Science Museum. – We have spent a lot of time on how to portray her. We have come up with the things we know, and guess at the rest, says Ellen Grav. She is an archaeologist and communication coordinator at the Department of Archeology and Cultural History. Ellen Grav outside Suhmhuset, where you can meet the recreated medieval woman. Photo: Lena Erikke Hatland / news Got abnormally old Grave says that the woman now on display at the museum has been recreated in silicone based on her skeleton. It was excavated on the site of today’s main library in the 1970s. – The skeleton tells quite a lot about this individual. She had osteoarthritis, had problems with her back and hips, and then she had lost quite a few teeth. They have also found out that the woman was over 65 when she died – which was an old age at a time when most people lived between 40 and 50. She was 155 cm tall, and was both toothless and hunchbacked. Watch a video of a medieval woman recreated at the science museum. Because she was so old, experts assume she died of natural causes. – The fact that she has become so old means that she received good nutrition in childhood and for the rest of her life, says Grav, who adds that this indicates that the woman was wealthy. Based on where the woman was buried, the experts believe that she may have been part of a merchant family in the city’s busy shopping street Kaupmannastretet. When the woman was born at the end of the 13th century, Trondheim was in a period of prosperity. With between 3,000–4,000 inhabitants, the city was at its largest during the Middle Ages. At that time, Nidaros Cathedral was completed, and Norway had its first and only archbishopric based here. The woman has created a lot of interest here as she stands just inside the entrance to Suhmhuset. Photo: Lena Erikke Hatland / news Then, at the turn of the 14th century, the weather turned bad, and it continued to be bad for many, many years. – We will have a strong downturn. There will be hunger, there will be hardship, and a lot of people will die, says Grav. To be given a name When the woman was now to be recreated, nothing was left to chance. Thomas Foldberg, a Danish artist in special effects make-up, was hired. Among other things, he has hand-painted liver spots to get a natural look, and inserted one real strand of hair. Thomas Foldberg is an artist in special effects make-up, sculptures and prosthetics in the film industry. Here he is well underway with his work on medieval women. Photo: NTNU Science Museum The dress is based on a find from the Uvdal stave church, and reconstructed in proper medieval fashion – hand-woven and hand-dyed by Nille Glæsel. – We can be criticized because we don’t know that she looked exactly like that. But there is something about guessing and fantasizing, and letting yourself be fascinated by the fact that this could be how she looked, says Grav. The work to create her has been lengthy – almost a year. The details are many. Photo: Lena Erikke Hatland / news And after she stood ready here at the science museum, the commitment has been great. – The audience has asked what her name is, so we have found out that we must have a name, says Grav. That’s why experts on names from the Middle Ages have come up with several suggestions for what the woman could be called – and here you can take part in voting: What should the woman be called? Ingebjørg Sigrid Ulvhild Tora Ragnhild Show result Took off on Facebook And if the engagement is great at the museum, it has been even greater on Facebook. After they posted the video of the woman, it has gained a reach of close to 1.2 million. – We publish many promotional videos, and think we are well visited if 100,000 people watch them. But this just took off completely, smiles Grav. Many who visit the science museum say that the medieval woman looks real. Photo: Lena Erikke Hatland / news The archaeologist describes the re-creation as a unique form of communication in Norway. – Archeology is often object-based, so we think it attracts the public that they get to see people, and not just kings and men. And we see a lot of people commenting on how she looks – that she looks real. – What would you have done if you had met her on a dark night in the streets of Trondheim? – I had given her a hug, because I think she is so sweet and good, and she reminds me of my own grandmother, smiles Grav. Ellen Grav together with the medieval woman. Photo: Lena Erikke Hatland / news She makes no secret of the fact that this has been a major investment for the museum. That is why she is extra happy that the reproduction has been so well received. At the same time, she reveals that this is only the first time, not the last. – We have another one planned – a younger fellow from the Stone Age. He will hopefully be ready by spring. It took almost a year to recreate the woman. Photo: Lena Erikke Hatland / news
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Medieval man brought to life at the NTNU Science Museum in Trondheim – news Trøndelag
