Nicolay Nicolaysen | |
|---|---|
 Nicolay Nicolaysen | |
| Born | (1817-01-14)14 January 1817 Bergen, Norway |
| Died | 22 January 1911(1911-01-22) (aged 94) Oslo, Norway |
| Alma mater | University of Oslo |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Archaeology |
Nicolay Nicolaysen (14 January 1817 - 22 January 1911) was aNorwegianarchaeologist and Norway's first state employedantiquarian. He is perhaps best known for his excavations of the ship burial atGokstad in 1880.[1]
Nicolay Nicolaysen was born inBergen to merchant and bank administrator Lyder Wentzel Nicolaysen (1794–1876) and Sophia Susanna Siewers (1797–1826). He was the half-brother of professor of medicineJulius Nicolaysen (1831–1909).Nicolaysen graduated from the University of Christiania now (University of Oslo) and becamecand.jur. in 1841. In 1845 he was employed as a copyist in the Ministry of Audit and in 1858 an assistant at the National Archives (Riksarkivet).[1][2][3]
In 1851, Nicolay Nicolaysen was a founding member of theSociety for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments, of which he was president from 1851 to 1899. He also took active part in the restoration of theNidaros Cathedral in Trondheim and of the Hall ofHaakon IV (Håkonshallen) in Bergen. He was active in the founding theNational Museum of Art, Architecture and Design (Nasjonalmuseet for kunst, arkitektur og design) and was a proponent of theNorwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry.[4][5]
In 1852, Nicolaysen led the first investigations at theBorre mound cemetery (Borrehaugene) atHorten,Vestfold. The excavations uncovered an extensive selection of craft work of a stylistic form which has subsequently become known as theBorre style. Many of the artefacts recovered during these excavations are presently on display at theViking Ship Museum inOslo.[1][6]
Nicolaysen also carried out excavations ofMunkeliv Abbey located atNordnes inBergen in 1857 and 1860. Here, well-crafted structural fragments were recovered. These can be found on display in the Museum of Cultural History (Kulturhistorisk Museum), part ofBergen Museum, and include a marble head of 12th-century Norwegian monarchØystein Magnusson.[7][8]
The first excavations of theKaupang area were undertaken in 1867. Nicolaysen mapped one of the mound cemeteries around the former town, and he excavated 79 burial mounds. He did not, however, investigate the urban settlement associated with the cemeteries. Later excavations indicate that Kaupang was one of the first urban settlements of some significance in Norway.[4][9]
Nicolay Nicolaysen is perhaps most famous for excavating theGokstad ship burial (Gokstadfunnet) at Gokstad farm inSandar,Sandefjord,Vestfold in 1880. Currently the Gokstad ship (Gokstadskipet), together with a burial chamber, two small boats and two tent boards from the burial chamber are displayed in theViking Ship Museum inOslo.[4][10][11]
In 1861, he married Anne Thue Christie (1831–1928). They were the parents of physician Lyder Wentzel Christie Nicolaysen (1866–1927). Nicolay Nicolaysen died during 1911 at Kristiania (now Oslo), Norway.[12]
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