Den mindre viktige døden. Etterreformatioriske gravminners status

Our knowledge about death and the practices surrounding it during the recent past, is dependent on the material that survives. Current heritage legislation in Norway does not automatically protect archaeological cultural heritage, including grave material, which post-dates the Reformation in 1537. The documentation, collection and research of this material is often neglected. This constitutes a loss of important scientific source material and compromises ethical considerations. The Church of Our Lady in Trondheim is home to a spectacular collection of grave material associated with the city’s wealthier citizens of the 17th and 18th centuries. This material has provided new and complementary knowledge of the burial customs of the period. The material is an important source of knowledge. Its source value is further enhanced due to its potential for comparison with other sources. The lack of legal protection of archaeological remains which post-date 1537, is an increasingly debated issue, which calls to improve the protection of the material culture of the recent past. By demonstrating the value of this particularly material, this article hopes to contribute towards highlighting the problems and inconsistencies associated with this aspect of Norwegian heritage management.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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