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Gammel Strand

Present-day Gammel Strand is situated along the quay between Højbro Plads and Naboløs, on precisely the same spot where Copenhagen's oldest harbour is most likely to have been situated.  Today, it is difficult to imagine that once all that was to be found here, in the core of the pulsating metropolis, was a small humble beach overlooking Øresund. The coming Cityring Metro excavations will provide the Museum of Copenhagen with a chance to take a closer look at the origins of Copenhagen's urban history.

Traces of the Iron-age

At present, we know very little about the historical role of Gammel Strand. Our existing knowledge-base is comprised of information gleaned from scattered written sources and the findings of some minor archaeological excavations. However,  we do know a little - one of the most exciting results stems from a bore-hole sample. C-14 dating carried out on the sample indicated that the earliest cultural levels could be traced way back to the 8th century. This discovery suggests that some activity or other was already taking place on the site of present-day Gammel Strand during the Iron Ages. Following on form this, the archaeologists will avail of the present opportunity to search along the old beach for answers to questions regarding the period in which the harbour and initial settlement were established.