Sunday, May 26, 2013

Lejre- An Outdoor, Archaeological Museum

First off, I apologize that there are no pictures to go with this. I could add some from the internet but I don't think it would do the exhibit any justice.  What an awesome place to spend our first class!  The exhibit was comprised of an Iron Age village, Stone Age camp, 19th century market, Viking burial areas, and reconstructions of housing.  Besides the exhibits, the area is used as a research facility to study how the first inhabitants of Denmark used the land.


As a class we came to several conclusions that applied to our class, Danish Greenspace.  This first field trip was a way for us to learn about the beginnings of how settlers used the land.  We discussed how climate change had a paramount impact on the evolution of settlers.  First, the Ice Age carved out the Danish landscape as it is today. As the climate warmed, the rise in sea level created the many islands, fjords, and lakes that exist today.  The sea level rise is especially important in explaining how the hunters and gatherers transitioned to a more settled society based on fishing and maritime exploration.

In essence, the field trip was important to learn how inhabitants of Denmark adapted to the land or manipulated it in order to form a more agriculturally-based society.  Lejrd was an exceptional, living example of the transition of Danish settlers. 

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