Mogens Ørsnes. 60 Years

Abstract

MOGENS ØRSNES 60 YEARS

In his long career Mogens Ørsnes has traversed most of the fields which comprise the region of archaeology, and has in each showed his talents.

His mastery of practical excavation technique and theoretical interpretation of archaeological material has shown itself in astringency of method, sureness of touch and a sense both for detailed observation and for the broader picture.

His work has centred in particular about the iron age, commencing in his student years with the excavation and publication of the rich graves at Dollerup together with Olfert Voss. Later came the investigations into the settlement at Bejsebakken by Aalborg, the cemetery at Kyndby and, to crown his researches, the great bog-deposit at Ejsbøl by Haderslev (together with Hans Neumann). And these are only a few of the highlights among many excavations.

The objects found at Bejsebakken and Kyndby led directly to Ørsnes' doctoral thesis: "Form and Style in the Late Iron Age of South Scandinavia", which combined his analytical powers and his artistic appreciation into a higher unity. The Ejsbøl discovery has thus far resulted in preliminary publications, but it has also inspired the reissue of Conrad Engelhardt's classic publications of the four older bog deposits, where the preface by Mogens Ørsnes is a model assessment of source material and archaeological method in the light of archaeological history.

Since his earliest student days Ørsnes has shown an interest in museum administration and policy. His deep understanding of the delicate problems here involved, and his capacity for balanced judgement have, as time went on, often brought him into the firing line, whether as chairman of the Danish Association of Historical Museums, as member of ministerial committees and parliamentary commissions, or at meetings of his colleagues, where his clear and constructive contributions have always been heard with respect.

When he now, at the age of 60, retires from his position as leader of the Department of Danish Prehistory, he can look back on his long and fruitful career at the National Museum, and his many years as a popular lecturer at the Institute of Prehistoric Archaeology at Copenhagen's University.

Mogens Ørsnes can now devote himself fully to the publication of the offerings at Ejsbøl, and to his other studies. But it is unlikely that he will quite be able to relinquish his interest for museums - nor museums their interest for him.

Poul Kjærum