Urbicide. Killing the City - Culture Comment by Manuel Fernandéz-Götz and Rubina Raja

Scholarship on past cities often relies on narratives of rise and fall, shaped by how societies perceive and engage with ruins and material remains from the past. The concept of urbicide describes the deliberate destruction of cities throughout history, distinguishing human-made devastation from natural disasters and recognizing that urban centres have long been strategic targets in conflict. While archaeological evidence shows that many cities demonstrated remarkable resilience and recovered after destruction, the traumatic human costs of such violence should not be overlooked in favour of celebrating urban continuity.

Discovering Denmark: From prehistoric burials to Viking Age power architecture and beyond - by Olympia Bobou, Ilaria Bucci, and Rubina Raja 

This “travel guide” presents Denmark's archaeological heritage, spanning from prehistoric burials and Iron Age sites to Viking Age settlements and medieval monuments. The article highlights must-visit museums and sites geographically across Central Jutland, Northern Jutland, Southern Jutland, Zealand, and Copenhagen, highlighting both world-class institutions and open-air reconstructions. Beyond tourism, the guide connects readers to ongoing archaeological research and upcoming academic conferences, emphasizing Denmark's role in preserving and studying its rich material past.

References:

Bobou, O., Bucci, I. & Raja, R. (2026). ‘Discovering Denmark: From prehistoric burials to Viking Age power architecture and beyond’, Current World Archaeology, 136: 46-51.

Fernandéz-Götz, M. & Raja, R. (2026). ‘Urbicide: Killing the City’, Current World Archaeology, 136: 58-59.