Olaf Olsen

Olaf Olsen was born in Copenhagen. He was the son of Albert Olsen (1890-1949) and Agnete E. He became a student in 1946, earned MSc. In history and geography in 1953. In 1966, he received a degree in philosophy at the University of Copenhagen. Olsen became an assistant at the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen in 1950. He became museum superintendent at the National Museum in 1958. He was appointed as a professor of medieval archaeology at Aarhus University in 1971. In 1981, he became director of the National Museum and the Directorate for Cultural Heritage. During the period 1962-1979, his archaeological work was mainly concentrated on the circular castles of the Viking Age. He has made numerous archaeological excavations in Denmark as well as in Norway and England. Olsen has conducted numerous excavations of medieval churches and was primary in the discovery of the ancient Skuldelev ships. Also editor of Gyldendal and Politikens Danmarkshistorie 1988-91 and chaired the Scientific Council of Den Store Danske Encyklopædi. He received the Rosenkjær Prize (Rosenkjær-Prisen) in 1991. He was a fellow of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters from 1989.

Olaf Olsen studied at University of Copenhagen and Sortedam Gymnasium. The recorded working language is Danish. The field of work recorded is archaeology, study of history and medieval archaeology. Employment is recorded with Aarhus University and National Museum of Denmark. Positions recorded include chairperson and museum director. Distinctions recorded are Rosenkjær Award, Ingenio et arti and honorary doctor of Saint Petersburg State University.

The authorities additionally record the headings Olaf Heymann Olsen and Olaf H. His recorded language was Danish. He was the child of Albert Georg Olsen and Agnete Ebba Olsen. He married Rikke Agnete Olsen.

Olaf Olsen worked in archaeology, study of history and medieval archaeology. He was employed by Aarhus University and National Museum of Denmark. Recorded positions include chairperson and museum director. He belonged to Academia Europaea, Royal Danish Society for Fatherland History and Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters.