Image Credit: Håvard Hegdal, NIKU

Lost Medieval Town at Hamar Confirmed by Excavation

Archaeologists in Norway have confirmed the existence of the long-lost medieval town of Hamarkaupangen near Hamar’s cathedral, first suspected through ground‑penetrating radar (GPR) in 2023. A joint team from NIKU and Anno Museum uncovered timber walls and floorboards exactly where GPR data indicated, revealing two‑room wooden dwellings and street‑like layouts.
The site, dating back to around the 11th century, is Norway’s only known inland medieval town. Under a thick layer of cooking stones, the excavation provides rare physical proof of an organized urban settlement, reshaping our understanding of Norway’s medieval past.

Published on: 08-07-2025

Source: Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research