Kaupangen, krøniken, arkeologien

Town, Chronicle, Archaeology – Tracing Town Topographies of Medeival Hamar The medieval town of Hamar was one of the Norwegian bishop's seats. Until recently its secular town plan has only been known through chronicle descriptions. The present article presents and discusses a possible structure and topography of Hamarkaupangen town. Based on recent geoscan investigations, the actual town plan can now be projected. The plan shows regular streets with narrow throughfares between. The many small houses are oriented on main streets and their inbetween roads. Two main streets, mentioned in the Hamar Chronicle as Cloister Street and Green Street, can be identified in the archaeological material. Moreover, several houses, their seizes and locations according to the town grid are identified in this newly discocered plan. The archaeological investigations correct the Chronicle descriptions and invite to further ivestgations, both excavations and compatative analysis of town plans, buildings and archaeological findings.