Jubilee donation to student history dig in the English Park
This spring, the student are digging in Fyrislund; next year in Engelska parken. Photo: Joakim Wehlin
Chemistry experiments, student demonstrations, and festive pranks. The English Park has long been a place where students have gathered. Thanks to a generous donation from the Friends of Uppsala University association, an archaeological dig to uncover this history will begin in the Park in spring 2026.
Stefan Nilsson, chair of the Friends of Uppsala University. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
The dig’s aim is to explore the history of the university as an institution in Uppsala through the traces of student life that can be found in the Park. As part of the University’s 550th anniversary in 2027, Uppsala residents and visitors will be able to follow the excavations and view the archaeological finds from the dig.
“With our donation to this exciting project, we want to pay tribute to Uppsala University on its 550th anniversary. By supporting important research and education, our association aims to contribute to the University’s continued development,” says Stefan Nilsson, chair of the Friends of Uppsala University and former vice president of Handelsbanken and head of its US office.
“Of course, we also hope that all the public activities in the project, such as the pop-up museum, guided tours and public digs, will help to showcase the University’s activities to Uppsala’s residents and visitors, and perhaps even encourage more people to join our association,” he says.
Contemporary history focus
Archaeology is one of the University’s oldest subject areas. The first archaeological dig in Sweden was carried out in 1662 by Olof Verelius, and that same year he was appointed professor of antiquities of the fatherland at Uppsala University.
Since then, archaeology has contributed important knowledge to society, and students today always carry out digs as part of their courses in archaeology. These digs will take place in the English Park, or Carolina Park as it is actually called, over the next two years.
“An archaeological dig in the English Park with a focus on contemporary history feels especially exciting, and we see great opportunities for connecting this dig to Uppsala University’s jubilee year celebrations in 2027. The idea was developed with the students and it’s fantastic that we have now received funding for it,” says Joakim Wehlin, senior lecturer in archaeology and the project manager.
Medieval city wall
Through images and written sources – an advantage in this project that archaeologists usually don’t have – we know that a lot has happened in the Park over the centuries. The focus is going to be on the material culture of student life, although there are also likely to be exciting finds in the deeper layers – for example the medieval city wall lay at the edge of the Park. Nothing similar has ever been done in Sweden before.
“Contemporary archaeology is not an especially big field of research in Sweden and usually it’s confined to World War 2. In the USA, on the other hand, digs linked to the history of the university as an institution have been done. It feels absolutely right that Uppsala, which is the oldest university in the Nordic region, should be the first university in Sweden to carry out such a project,” says Wehlin.
Joakim Wehlin, senior lecturer in archaeology and the project manager. Photo: Private
He also sees many opportunities for side activities in the jubilee year, and hopes to involve Uppsala residents as well as other actors in the city in some interesting initiatives. There are already plenty of ideas for these.
In spring 2026, test pits will be dug to determine the best sites to excavate further. The main dig will take place in 2027, when a glass-walled shipping container will be set up to showcase the finds.
From past to present
The donation from Friends of Uppsala University also includes funding to link a doctoral student specialising in the history of archaeology to the project. The results from the dig will then become part of their doctoral project. Karl-Johan Lindholm, Head of the Department of Archaeology, is very happy about the donation.
“It’s a very exciting project that’s going to generate new perspectives for us and many opportunities for collaboration – across faculty boundaries as well as with other actors. Sweden has abundant archaeological finds and strong antiquities legislation, which means that we may have become somewhat blind to more modern material archaeology. The recruitment of a doctoral student for the project gives us the opportunity to reflect on the history of archaeology, from the methods used in the past to contemporary research with its increased focus on digitalisation and open science,” says Lindholm.
Vice-Chancellor Anders Hagfeldt also points out the importance of the initiative.
“In this thoughtful way, the association is contributing not only to research and education but to engagement with the public and residents of Uppsala. It’s going to be very exciting to follow this project as it unfolds,” he says.
Anneli Waara
Friends of Uppsala University
Friends of Uppsala University is a non-affiliated, non-profit organisation with the aim of working for the good of Uppsala University. The association consists of individuals who have donated funds to the Friends of Uppsala University Foundation. The Foundation’s purpose is to actively contribute to the implementation of one or more important projects that benefit the University and its activities.
Jubilee campaign Boundless knowledge
In 2027, Uppsala University will turn 550 years old. In the face of multiple, complex challenges, the University aims to strengthen research and education, culture and cultural heritage. By seeking additional, new sources of funding, we will be able to make a greater contribution to societal development, which is why the Vice-Chancellor has initiated a jubilee campaign titled “Boundless knowledge – since 1477”.