History of metallurgy
Back in 1966, the idea arose that Jernkontoret, within its research activities, should also set up a historical metallurgy group alongside its other research committees. The following year its goals, organisation and financing were established.
The Historical Metallurgy Group’s tasks are
- to promote historical research concerning mining and metallurgy and its products
- to facilitate collaboration between researchers into relevant problems
- to submit proposals and prioritise urgent tasks
- to arrange lectures, discussions and field studies
- to facilitate rapid publication of, and information on, the results
Activities include both archaeological and historical documentation and research as well as cultural environment protection in respect of all metallurgical production, however with the accent on the development of the iron industry. Activities cover all historical periods and are pan-Nordic in scope.
The Historical Metallurgy Group, which is interdisciplinary in composition, has ten members. The Group meets twice a year.
Financing
Jernkontoret is responsible for the basic funding but the largest input comprises the unremunerated work put in by the participants. For certain larger projects involving e.g. professionally active researchers, external funding is sought.
Chair of the Group
Orvar Nyquist, former President of Jernkontoret, Stockholm
Other members
Kjersti Bosdotter, Swedish Metalworkers’ Union
Martin Fritz, Emeritus Professor, University of Gothenburg
Carl-Magnus Gagge, Director of Västmanland County Museum
Bode Janzon, former director of the regional state archives in Uppsala
Jan Jonson, Bergsingenjör, Fors
Gert Magnusson, Docent, Swedish National Heritage Board
Arne Sundström, Bergsingenjör, Oxelösund
Vacant, Swedish National Heritage Board
Vacant
Co-opted member
Yngve Axelsson, Librarian, Jernkontoret
Senior Research Officer
Kerstin Fernheden, Head of Research, Jernkontoret.
Committee of Experts
Under this group there is a committee of experts, also interdisciplinary in composition, comprising 20 members plus a chairperson. This committee meets twice a year.
The tasks of the committee of experts include co-ordinating the committee work, initiating research and prioritising amongst assignments proposed. Like the group, it keeps itself up to date with developments in this field both nationally and internationally.
Below the committee of experts there are individual research committees with their respective assignments, see Current projects.
Chair of the Committee of Experts
Gert Magnusson, Swedish National Heritage Board
Other members
Lars Bentell, Järfälla
Björn Ivar Berg, Norwegian Mining Museum, Kongsberg, Norway
Bengt Berglund, Chalmers University of Technology, History of Technology
Björn Björck, Archdiocese of Uppsala
Vagn F Buchwald, Hellerup, Denmark
David Damell, Strängnäs
Eva Hjärthner-Holdar, Swedish National Heritage Board, UV GAL
Lars Hukkinen, Karis, Finland
Maths Isacson, Uppsala University, Economic History
Catarina Karlsson, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Kerstin Lidén, Stockholm University, Archaeology
Anders Lundgren, Uppsala University, History of Ideas and Learning
Mats Lundmark, Örebro University, Social Sciences
Gunnar Lundqvist, Ekenäs, Finland
Dag Noréus, Stockholm University, Inorganic Chemistry
Tor Olov Norrman, Västerås
Ing-Marie Pettersson Jensen, Norberg Municipality
Helene Sjunnesson, National Museum of Science and Technology, Stockholm
Maria Sjöberg, University of Gothenburg, History
Anders Ödman, Lund University, Archaeology
Contact
Kerstin Fernheden
Senior research officer
tel +46 8 679 17 13
