Símun V. Arge in Memorian
It was sad news, which was shared with us on Saturday the 13th of February 2021, announcing the sudden death of Símun.
Símun Vilhelm Arge was born on September 5th in 1948 and grew up in Hornabøur in Tórshavn, the capital. His parents were Oscar Frits Arge (1912-1976) tobacconist and Ella Katrina Olivia Arge, born Vilhelm (1915-2007). Símun was their only child. He was married to Sigrid Winther, and they had the children Elin and Halgir, and their grandchildren are six in number. He was very fond of his family and would often speak of Sigrid, the children, his children-in-law, and grandchildren. His open and kind disposition would often lead to questions like: “How are you, and how is your family?”
In 1969 Símun went to Copenhagen to study social anthropology. In January 1970 he began a student’s job at the Føroya Fornminnissavn at that time, now Tjóðsavnið (The National Museum). At first together with the Danish archaeologist Knud J. Krogh in the excavation in the church of Sandur. This is where his interest in Faroese archaeology was awakened, particularly in the village of Sandur, which later would become a passion of his. For that reason, he chose medieval archaeology as a major at Aarhus University where he graduated as cand. mag. in medieval archaeology in 1986. Archaeology would later become both “a profession and a hobby”, as he expressed it himself.
Símun was active in the field of Faroese archaeology for more than 50 years. In 1986 he got permanent employment as a curator at the National Museum. He was also appointed to the post of state antiquarian on three occasions, four years in all. As head of the archaeology department, he organized several projects of archaeological research, as well as international co-operation, and he was on several committees. He also worked closely with local and national authorities around the country. Thus, Símun represented archaeology in the Faroes respectfully, cheerfully and on a high professional level, both at home and in international networks and projects. He was good at explaining Faroese archaeology in the media, so that it would become vivid and interesting.
In addition, Símun was nature’s friend. He knew how to see traces of people in nature, both new and old ones. Such abilities stood him in good stead when making archaeological landscape surveys. He was good at seeing beauty in the landscape, and therefore would quickly recognize which new buildings might disfigure and which ones would fit well in nature. Another reason, why he was a good representative for The National Museum in the National Nature Conservancy Board.
The last years Símun was working on finishing the conservation work on the ruins of the St. Magnus Cathedral and the ruin “Líkhús” in the village of Kirkjubøur. He was also working on ensuring coastline defence both in Kirkjubøur and at Sondum in the village of Sandur to protect archaeological remains which are under threat of erosion.
As an archaeologist, Símun was thorough and critical. He had ready memory, massive knowledge of Faroese archaeology, and accordingly he was the person to call on for advice. He valued interdisciplinary co-operation, and he was respected in international archaeological circles. In addition to this he would give young students a chance to be part of the work at the museum. In this way he would instruct and build up young people in Faroese archaeology.
On October 1st in 2020 Símun retired, and there was a celebration for him at the National Museum. Although he had retired, he was still part of the National Museum as emeritus, and he had great plans for research and writing about archaeology.
Sadly, Símun was taken too suddenly from us.
We remember Símun as a good friend and colleague at the National Museum. It is a great loss to not have him to call on and turn to for advice. We miss him. Our thoughts are with his family in their grief.
We honour Símun’s memory.
Hoyvík, on 19th February 2021
Colleagues at the National Museum