"Lofotmuseet" (4 of 5)
Description
In Storvågan there are a series of cultural remains from prehistoric times, the Middle Ages and up to our own time. A thousand years ago, commercial fishing was already being carried on in Vestfjorden. Fishermen from large areas of Northern Norway came every winter to harvest the sea's offerings. The skrei, sea-going cod that come in to the coastal waters to spawn, provided a livelihood for those who chose to settle down along the coast.
The medieval town of Vágar was situated in Storvågan. The place was then an important centre for trading and administration. Archaeological finds excavated between 1985 and 2001 have provided the only evidence of large-scale trade with Southern Norway and other countries. During the fourteenth century, dried fish made up over 80% of Norway's national exports and Vágar had extensive trade and cultural exchange with Europe. The dried fish export from Vágar initiated the large-scale commercialization of fishing in Lofoten. This type of export remains an important commercial trade today, and this product is sought-after in many parts of the world.
Vágar is frequently mentioned in written sources dating from the Middle Ages (approx. 1000-1536). During the period approx. 1100-1400, Vágar was the only town in Northern Norway, and the central functions of this part of the country were assembled here. Following the Black Death (1350), there were extensive changes in the structure of society. Vágar eventually lost its central administrative functions and the export of dried fish moved from Vágar to Bergen. People from the north of Norway transported the dried fish to Bergen themselves. By about 1400, Vágar had played out its role as a town and regional capital, but the excavations show considerable fishing activity over the centuries that followed.
The medieval town of Vágar was situated in Storvågan. The place was then an important centre for trading and administration. Archaeological finds excavated between 1985 and 2001 have provided the only evidence of large-scale trade with Southern Norway and other countries. During the fourteenth century, dried fish made up over 80% of Norway's national exports and Vágar had extensive trade and cultural exchange with Europe. The dried fish export from Vágar initiated the large-scale commercialization of fishing in Lofoten. This type of export remains an important commercial trade today, and this product is sought-after in many parts of the world.
Vágar is frequently mentioned in written sources dating from the Middle Ages (approx. 1000-1536). During the period approx. 1100-1400, Vágar was the only town in Northern Norway, and the central functions of this part of the country were assembled here. Following the Black Death (1350), there were extensive changes in the structure of society. Vágar eventually lost its central administrative functions and the export of dried fish moved from Vágar to Bergen. People from the north of Norway transported the dried fish to Bergen themselves. By about 1400, Vágar had played out its role as a town and regional capital, but the excavations show considerable fishing activity over the centuries that followed.
