HAVBUNN

HAVBUNN is a marine archaeology project that uses advanced technology to map hidden cultural heritage in Klostervågen. Utstein, which was a regional center from the Iron Age through the Middle Ages, is believed to have been Harald Fairhair’s first royal estate. Stavanger Maritime Museum, the University of Stavanger, and Omega Subsea are working together to examine the seabed using sonar, echo sounding, and core sampling.

The goal is to identify shipwrecks and structures that can offer insight into maritime activity in the past. The methods being developed may also be applied to discover cultural heritage sites on the Norwegian continental shelf. This project is important because new technology provides us with better tools to preserve underwater heritage. HAVBUNN may also contribute to improved mapping in the offshore industry, where archaeological finds often emerge.

Fieldwork will take place in 2025, followed by analysis and the publication of a professional guideline. The project will share its findings through lectures, conferences, and media coverage. HAVBUNN offers a unique opportunity to uncover Norway’s hidden history beneath the sea — and perhaps find traces of ancient seafarers.