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Current Excavations

A ring around Copenhagen. This is how one can describe the new metro circuit line that is to connect the centre of Copenhagen at Gammel Strand with Assistens Kirkegård in Nørrebro. The Museum of Copenhagen is responsible for all the archaeological excavations that are to be carried out in connection with the construction of the new Cityring Metro. In fact, the archaeologists have already begun breaking up the present-day surface and started digging into the cultural layers hidden below.

The archaeologists are ripping the town squares open

In connection with their search for traces of former historical periods, the museum's archaeologists will be digging into Copenhagen's subsoil at 22 locations spread throughout the city. The four largest excavation sites are situated on four of Copenhagen's most outstanding squares and surrounding areas. Amongst other things, the archaeologists aim to investigate the eastern periphery of the old town at Kongens Nytorv. In short, they will be examining the town wall, the town gate at Østerport and some of the areas situated just outside Copenhagen during the Middle Ages. At the opposite end of the old town, at Rådhuspladsen, the archaeologists will be digging in order to augment our knowledge of the western parts of early Copenhagen, i.e. the town-gate at Vesterport and adjacent town-wall. In between these two squares, at Gammel Strand, the archaeologists will be focusing on the old harbour and harbour area. Finally, the museum has already begun digging in Assistens Kirkegård with a view to improving our knowledge of the living conditions and burial customs of former times.

The three themes underlying the metro excavations

The urbanisation of Copenhagen
How did Copenhagen develop to become a town? What events led to Copenhagen becoming the capital of Denmark, and what exactly happened  at that point in history? Bearing these questions in mind, The Museum of Copenhagen plans to investigate the background, process and characteristics of urbanisation with the help of  findings unearthed during the current excavations.

Living conditions
Who populated Copenhagen in former times? What illnesses did they suffer from? The current excavations will hopefully provide the archaeologists with answers to the economic and demographic fluctuations down through the history of Copenhagen. 

Town-life in Copenhagen
What was it like to be a citizen of Copenhagen in former times? Did a particular town-culture exist?  In connection with the current excavations, The Museum of Copenhagen aims to investigate the cultural and social meanings and consequences associated with town-life down through history.