Linnaeus University hosted conference on innovative archaeology

Liv Nilsson Stutz, professor of archaeology

Nordic TAG (Theoretical Archaeological Group) is a recurring conference that brings together archaeology researchers from across the Nordic countries, as well as from elsewhere in the world. In 2026, Linnaeus University hosted the conference.

“This conference perhaps challenges many people’s perceptions of what archaeology is. We want to put Linnaeus University on the map as a leader in innovative archaeological research,” says Liv Nilsson Stutz, professor of archaeology and one of the organisers.

The keynote speaker was Yannis Hamilakis from Brown University. His lecture was entitled "How to organize our pessimism? Archaeology, activism, and global apartheids". The lecture took place at Kalmar Castle.

Archaeology’s long-term perspective can help us

The conference focused on archaeology’s potential to shed light on contemporary societal challenges – such as the climate crisis and social inequality – by drawing on archaeology’s long-term perspective.

“Through archaeology, we can observe broad patterns of development. We can understand how social injustice was created and maintained in the past. We can see how people have interacted with nature over millennia – in both productive and destructive ways. Archaeology can also challenge assumptions about what is considered ‘natural’ or ‘ancient’, for example gender roles. We can also learn how central solidarity, cooperation and hospitality have been to human survival,” explains Nilsson Stutz.

“All this knowledge provides perspective on our present and our future,” says Nilsson Stutz.

The conference also explored the intersection between research and activism, and the potential for archaeology to play an active role in building just futures.

“In Sweden today, activism is often perceived as something negative. We see it instead as a desire to take responsibility for the society and world in which we live, based on the knowledge and expertise we possess,” Nilsson Stutz concludes.

Devouring the Iron Age. Researcher Cornelius Holtorf offered fresh herbs grown in the soil at the Iron Age settlement of Gamla Skogsby. Cornelius is professor of archaeology and holder of the UNESCO Chair on Heritage Futures at Linnaeus University.

Excursion to The Glass Factory in Boda, where artist and archaeologist John Sunderland spoke about his interdisciplinary process of engaging with the landscapes of the deindustrialised Kingdom of Crystal, in collaboration with glassblower Peter Kuchinke.

Keynote Roundtable: Activate archaeology for just futures: a panel debate on
archaeological theory, social justice, and activism