Från den gruvliga till den ljuvliga sidan

Recent archaeological research in Falun, Sweden, has challenged the long-standing perception of the town's western 'mine side' as barren and devoid of vegetation due to industrial pollution. Instead, new methods have uncovered evidence of historical urban cultivation, revealing a more complex environmental history. The study highlights that even though the copper mine, Sweden's oldest known source of environmental contamination, is now closed, its legacy continues to influence the landscape. By examining traces of plant growth and comparing them with the lush 'delightful side' on the east bank of Faluån, researchers have reshaped our understanding of Falun's past, demonstrating that resilience and adaptation were possible even in contaminated environments.

Axelsson Karlqvist, J., & Berger, Å. (2025). Från den gruvliga till den ljuvliga sidan. META – Historiskarkeologisk Tidskrift, 130–146. https://doi.org/10.59008/meta.2025.44443