25.3.08

Locality 09 ( Bergen)

At the crossroad where Amalie Skrams Vei and the lowest part of Formanns Vei meet, there is a cluster of maple trees (Acer platanoides). More precisely, there are three large ones and several smaller ones. Acer Platanoides is not particularly long-lived, with a maximum age of around 250 years.
These particular individuals grow in a 45 degree-angeled hillside covered with dirt and leaves showing signs of use as a local dirt path, passing from the upper living area in Sandviken down to the busy traffic street where you in fact find the access vein into the city centre.
Based on prior observations in the area, we infer that parts of the hut must have been constructed within the last three years, while older parts, including a blue swing rope attached to the southern tree, at least dates back to 1999. This makes it probable that the locality is still in use, not least evidenced by the presence of a red "flag" which not long ago must have been covering a young upper body as a t-shirt. The hut itself frugally ascends two of the biggest tree logs, and it is obvious that you must have the ability to be a good climber to master the challenges that this hut has to offer.
We may assume that this hut is perfect for overlooking Amalie Skrams Vei when pulling pranks on victims passing by, and whereas it may not contain the necessary objects for a complete disguise, at least you can swing yourself over to the southern tree in an effective getaway.
As such, the hut may serve as a sentinel post guarding or challenging the socio-economical border between the prosperous, villa-dominated higher end Sandviken, and the poorer lower end Sandviken with its' cheaper rental flats located next to the main traffic artery into the city centre.

16.3.08

Locality 08 (Arendal)

Passing through the old cemetery connected to the wooden Hisøy church, the ruins of an abandoned hut are visible from the road. Climbing a stone wall from the road, we moved through a small vegetative plateau, registering two artefacts possibly connected with the ruins: two transparent plastic jars, one containing the image of a pineapple. Other remains of activity were also found within the area, including rope and planks clinging on to weather-worn tree trunks.

More omnious was the discovery of what may have been an opened tomb somewhat outside the area of the present cemetery. Measuring around 2,5x1,5 metres, a 0,5 m deep coffin-shaped depression in the stony ground was partially covered in foliage, making it easy to stumble into at night time. However, it was impossible to tell whence it had been exhumated. Supposedly, there may have been a church on the island since the middle ages, although it is unclear whether it was placed at the site of the present church. In any event, the discovery of the open tomb left the expedition crew apprehensive, and a discussion ensued on whether or not we should continue the climb towards the scattered ruins on top of the small hill.

Parts of the expedition setting up a temporary base camp at the vegetative plateau, the rest pushed on to make it up the hill before sunset. Half way up, a rope dangling from a tree down into the cemetery far below, may have provided a prior access point to the site, although it must indeed have been an arduous climb. Losing one's grip, one was sure to plunge into the abyss, leaving another corpse to be cared for at the cemetery.

The ruins themselves revealed no indication of the form or function of the site, but the composite character of the material, as well as the registration of the mentioned artefacts in the area, suggested that the site had once been a flourishing society of children. From the hill, the road towards Havsøy was clearly visible, indicating the strategic importance of the site. It was suggested by members of the expedition that the proximity to the unopened tomb may have contributed to the choice of abandoning the site, but it is unclear whether it was actually abandoned or destroyed by a hostile group. At this point, it is all conjecture.

9.3.08

Locality 06 and 07 (Arendal)

Two small sites were accidentally discovered during a recent routine excursion to Skibberheia at Hisøya in Arendal. Although not remarkable in themselves, the sites are of theoretical interest since they show evidence of not merely being abandoned, but also abandoned before completion. Furthermore, the sites seem to have been constructed for the sake of construction, rather than having a specific secondary purpose.

Locality 06 simply consisted of two horizontal, once yellow but rather weather-worn planks attached to a slender pine tree by nails. Strangely, they were found approximately 2,6 metres up, with no visible clues as to how the builders were able to reach that height.

Locality 07 was somewhat more complex, consisting of several planks and two-by-fours, rope and nail, attached to a standard electricity pole. However, the structure was obviously incomplete by any standards.

Found within an area primarily, and rather densely, inhabited by seniors, it may be argued that the young builders of these two possibly related sites have engaged in an appropriation of their environment, finding the endeavor satisfactory in itself, and consequently abandoning the project before completion. An alternative hypothesis may be that the builders were unable to complete the projects. The sites may in fact be part of a complex nomadic pattern of relocation in which the builders spend part of their time with elder family members at certain intervals of the year.

5.3.08

Locality 05 (Arendal)

Some local inhabitants at Hisøya in Arendal had revealed the whereabouts of a pristine beach, marking the location on a map and reminding us not to get too close to the swans that often lurked in the native waters. The name of the area, Stølsvika, may translate as the bay of summer pastures, alternatively bay of dairy farm. However, at the time of the expedition there were not signs of domesticated animals of any species, nor any visible remains of the suggested farm. What we did discover, was the remains of a tree hut located very close to a beach front wooden house, and partly painted in the same colours; a rather intense shade of red. It should be noted that some planks were either unpainted or in a different more yellowish color, suggesting that the wooden planks had come from distinct sources.

The access to the tree hut proved somewhat of a mystery, and we did not feel confident to venture too close to the house proper to investigate further. This also implied that we were unable to make any excact measures of the location. From what we could discern of the structure, it seemed to consist of two adjoining parts supported on a rudimentary wooden platform resting on the branches of a single weather-worn pine tree. We noticed the presence of at least two glass-less windows which may have served as look-out points. The rather precise adjoining of the wooden planks in the walls suggested that an adult had supervised or even taken part in the construction. There were no signs of the builders although it was difficult to ascertain whether the site was abandoned or not.