The excursion was part of the course EHS4000 - Knowing Natures: Environmental Research Seminar. At the quarry, the students were introduced to different forms of rock formations and their origins. Furthermore, they were given an introduction to the geological history of the Oslo region before they were divided into groups and given practical exercises.
The first excercise was given by the UiO geologist Henrik Svensen, who gave the students a few basic map assignments: map what you see and notice at the quarry-site. Later, archaeologist and heritage scholar Alexa Spiwak had prepared an archaeological fieldwalk. The aim of these exercises was to give students the chance to think practically (and together) about methods and disciplinarity, and how these condition what one sees, find, record, notice, relate to in a given space.
In 2018, the Oslo City Council decided that the quarry would be closed for production, and repurposed. Oslo municipality has more information about the plans for repurposing of the Huken quarry (see their webpage. NB! Norwegian only).
A great thank you to Henrik and Alexa for sharing their enthusiasm for rocks and landscapes! It was a learning experience for the EHS students, and to 'think with rocks' as a way of understanding different processes of environmental change.
