Cat Jarman is a bioarchaeologist and field archaeologist, specialising in diet, migration and the Viking Age
Cat is also an author and public archaeologist focused on communicating history and archaeological methods to broad audiences on a variety of platforms. Follow in the footsteps of the Vikings on a six-night cruise of Norway, departing in the spring in the company of Cat. She will deliver a talk on board and join a fascinating excursion in Stavanger. Ahead of the trip, Cat sat down with us to talk about her life, career and all things Norway.
Early life and career
When did you first have an interest in archaeology?

I loved learning about Ancient Egypt and the Vikings as a child, but the defining moment for me was when aged about 10, I visited the Viking Ship museum in Oslo. I had just finished reading a historical novel about the Viking Age and was completely in awe by the Viking ships. There was something about that physical connection between the real, 1,200-year old ships and the history I was learning about that captured imagination: it felt like time travel.

Please tell us a few highlights of your career

I've been lucky enough to both lead and take part in excavations in a range of different countries: from stone age and iron age sites in Zambia, to Roman and Viking sites in the UK, a Rus' settlement in Ukraine, and Mesolithic sites in Norway. Each site felt like an adventure and I especially enjoyed working in different landscapes, learning how past people interacted with their environments.

And what about some of the most challenging moments

Apart from fieldwork, much of my research has been lab-based as a scientist. With that, it's often difficult to find enough samples: the archaeological record is never complete. For example, when I researched migration among women in Viking Age Norway, a big problem was finding enough graves to study, because in many regions, preservation is too poor for bones to survive. This meant that it was difficult to get enough evidence to make solid conclusions, something that was very frustrating.

Cruising Norway
What makes Norway special for you?

Norway is home for me, it is where I grew up. I particularly like the vast range of landscapes and different geographical regions. If you drive from Oslo to Bergen across the mountains, it's like a real-life geography lesson. You get everything from forests, to tundra, glaciers, and fjords in a single day.

Is there a particular destination you love visiting; why?

I've always loved hiking in the woods, as it's something I've done since I was a child. But Lofoten feels very special, with its myriad of small islands and majestic backdrops - and seeing it from the sea is an incredible experience.

You're joining an excursion in Stavanger; what can guests expect from this city?

Stavanger is one of Norway's oldest cities and has a unique combination of small, cobbled streets and charming old timber houses, and a more modern city. I especially like how the city connects to the sea and there are some fabulous museums.

Can you give us a teaser of what you will be talking about on the trip?

I'm looking forward to giving an insight into some of the more recent discoveries and developments in Viking Age research, and how we have radically changed our understanding of the period - from the roles of women to the discovery of new sites.

And finally, what do you think are the real highlights of the trip?

In my opinion, the biggest highlight of this trip is seeing the differences in the landscape from Oslo and all the way up to the North, taking in some of the very best fjords, cities and islands.

MS Trollfjord in port in Norway, with a snowy mountainous backdrop
Cruising Norway’s Coast with Hurtigruten
Tom Kerss / Hurtigruten
A chat with Tom Kerss
Where best to see Norway's Northern Lights