Cultural resources
The Lyngen Peninsula has a rich heritage where Scandinavian culture language has been traced back to 300-400 AD. Evidence of settlement of the Lyngen peninsula dates as far back as the iron age. There have even been archeological finds from the these early vikings in the general area near of the present day MIT-FabLab.
Today's arctic cocktail
Starting with the native culture from the native Sami to the arrival of the Kvens from Finland, and from 1900's blending with Norwegians from the south the Lyngen area can be seen as a culturally blended arctic cocktail.
- Lyngen of the past
A group of Sami men exchange tobacco.
The Lyngen church and the start of currently the largest town in Lyngen Kommun, Lyngseidet.
Historical Pollen in the late 1800's, home today to the modern day MIT-FabLab.
Environmental connection
The people of northern Norway have always had a special relationship with the natural environment around them. On land the there is the Sami's special relationship to the reindeer and the mountains that support their herds. The roving sheep of today also depend on the lowlands and sub-alpine landscape for grazing. The harvest of the seaCodPollock Haddock that was there as both a economic and nutritional base supporting the region, especially when times got tough. The sea also provided a means for regional as well as international commerce. Grain from Russia spurred the need for the first wind driven mills in Lyngen. These structures fashioned by local craftsmen where sturdy enough to withstand even the harshest arctic conditions. Natural hazards such as avalanches, floods, and rock slides are as factors that the people of Lyngen have grown accustom to dealing with. All of these examples show how influential the environment around Lyngen has been in shaping its culture.
- Early power generation
Early windmills constructed from local timber used to crush grain.
A millstone mechanically crushed grain which was driven by the mill's blades turned by the power stored in the wind.
