Researchers find South Sámi presence in Central Norway during Middle Ages

Old hypothesis challenged by new data

Previous researchers held that the South Sámi population arrived in Central Norway no earlier than the 18th century. This view is known as the hypothesis of late immigration regarding Norwegian farmers and local history. New work published in Historisk Tidsskrift contradicts that earlier timeline with evidence from medieval records.

International team examines historical texts

Peter Sigurdson Lunga and Emil Mård Vaadal Eliasson led the project at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Scholars from Germany and the Netherlands joined the NTNU group to author several detailed analyses together. Their findings show clear traces of South Sámi life in written sources from that era.

Findings appear in special journal issue

The research group Middelalderdidaktikk released a special issue focusing on these medieval traces of the South Sámi. This publication stands in stark contrast to the long-held belief about late immigration into the region. The articles confirm that South Sámi history was a living presence for learned people long ago.