Pastfinders

This anthology, Pastfinders, delves into the contributions of early Danish scholars in archaeology, highlighting their interdisciplinary approach to understanding human history.

This anthology explores the foundational contributions of early Danish pioneers in the field of archaeology, revealing how they blurred the lines between various disciplines. The authors argue that these scholars did not see a clear distinction between classical antiquity, the Middle Ages, prehistory, ethnography, and human evolution. Instead, they approached these subjects with a holistic perspective, merging insights from the humanities and natural sciences to enrich their understanding of human history.

The emergence of modern archaeology in Denmark during the 19th century was a result of unique intellectual and material conditions. As this anthology illustrates, it was in this small northern European country that a new academic field began to take shape. The book highlights the significant roles played by Danish scholars, who contributed to key advancements in the archaeology of Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. However, the authors contend that the true scope of their contributions has often been obscured by the rigid boundaries established in post-war academia.

Pastfinders seeks to rediscover and celebrate the interconnectedness of these early scholars' work, emphasizing that their collective endeavors were not merely isolated efforts but rather a comprehensive quest for a deeper understanding of human history. By examining the links between what would eventually become separate academic disciplines, this anthology redefines the narrative of archaeology in the 19th and early 20th centuries as an integrated pursuit of knowledge.