Saved by the Sea? Reliance on Marine Resources During the 1740-43 Famine

How did coastal communities in Norway respond to the famine years during the Little Ice Age? In this session, Wanda Marcussen will present the findings of her research project, which shows the crucial role of marine harvesting in overcoming famine. 

Time and place: – , Håndbiblioteket, Niels Treschows Hus
Oil painting on canvas. Norwegian coastal area with a sailing ship in the background. In the foregound ther are fishermen landing their cargo ashore.

Hans Frederic Gude, The fishermen arrive onshore, 1878, Dorotheum, Vienna. 

About the event

The presented research project seeks to better understand how coastal communities responded and adapted, or failed to do so, during the climate of the Little Ice Age and especially during crisis years. The focus is on the Norwegian experience of the cold and difficult years between 1740-1743. While large parts of the population struggled with famine and disease, marine resources seem to have provided crucial relief for most all coastal communities, limiting mortality increase compared to inland regions, the research found. Further, the research found that the abundance of fish initiated advancements in marine harvesting and processing techniques and methods. Merchants and fishermen found new incentives to invest in new equipment as good catches, better prices, and new markets secured more profit. Lastly, the research uncovered that this increased focus on trade and more intensive fishing did not lead to marine resources being exported away from the needing coastal communities to promote the interest of merchants seeking profit. The marine resources being available to local coastal communities was most likely due to the advancement and adaptation to the new rich fisheries taking some time, and infrastructure focused on export not yet being fully established.

Presenter

Wanda Marcussen grew up along the Oslo Fjord with a strong passion for history and cultural heritage. She completed her Bachelor's studies in International Relations with a specialization in History at The University of Oslo, and has also studied Social Anthropology at The University of Bergen, before completing her M.Phil degree in Environmental History at Trinity College Dublin in 2021. Wanda has work experience from Europa Nostra, The Directorate of Cultural Heritage and World History Encyclopedia.

Reading

Wieners, C. E. (2020). Haze, Hunger, Hesitation: Disaster Aid after the 1783 Lakagígar Eruption. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 406, Article 107080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2020.107080

Organiser

KLIMER

NB: External guests should register with Ada Arendt.

 

Published Dec. 7, 2023 10:50 AM - Last modified Jan. 17, 2024 1:58 PM
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