Innledning til seminaret "Kilder for klimadata i Norden fortrinnsvis i perioden 1860-1993"

Abstract

The Museum of Archaeology , Stavanger (AmS) and its climate projects are briefly presented. Although the projects are fundamentally historical, their aim is not only to study the climatic history of the past but to contribute to research on models for long-term developments of the climate from the past to the present, and even into the future. Until recently, archaeological and historical research put much emphasis on the climate as a major factor explaining cultural and social change. During recent decades, economic, social and demographic factors have been more in focus as instigators of cultural developments. Two of the aims of the AmS climate projects are to recover better climatic data and develop new methods of studying climatic factors, both sepa­ rately and in combination with other influential factors. As an archaeological institution, AmS also has to consider the fact that climate, besides being an objective factor that can be measured and quantified, also has a subjective component that is culturally and socially perceived. Climate also has to do with people's feelings, attitudes and mentality; climate can be used in social, religious and ideological strategies, and thereby be adapted to man, culture and society. When scientists and cultural historians meet in an archaeological museum, the atmosphere for discus­sing compatibility between climate and culture should be ideal.