Exhibitions >

The EvoCave

The EvoCave is a research project exploring the caves in Kjøpsvik, to find out what the cave systems hide from past life and history.

This project aims to investigate 122,000 years of faunal diversity at high latitudes using paleozoology, archaeology, paleoecology and ancient DNA.

The limestone caves in Kjøpsvik are unique in a world context with one of the few places in the Nordic region with such old traces. Thirty years ago, cave scientist Stein-Erik Lauritzen found bone remains from polar bears in the cave system that are at least 70,000 years old. In addition, discoveries of bone materials from wolves, seals, field mice, cod and guillemots have been made. EvoCave picks up the thread, starting with excavations in Kjøpsvik in 2021.

Gruppefoto from the evocave
Field group of 2021 in Kjøpsvik. Photo: Trond Lødøen

Follow the project and field blog here.

Visit Kjøpsvik Museum

Kjøpsvik Museum

The museum in Kjøpsvik cover mining and industrial history, cave finds, fish farming and household culture, war history and the school system.