My name is Eva Steffenhagen Krogh. I was born in 1980 in Germany, raised in Austria, lived for a short while in France and a longer time in England. In 2009 I moved to Denmark, and in 2013 I began to study Indo-European Languages at the University of Copenhagen. Currently I am living with my husband and my two kids in Fredericia, Denmark.

My passion for languages and their history already started in school in Austria, when I noticed that Latin helped med understand other languages such as French and Italian. I also have a big interest in cultural history and mythology, so the study of Indo-European languages was the perfect choice. Austrian folk tales and our rich cultural heritage with its connections throughout Europe have fascinated me. I have always been interested in the root of things: the question “why?” has always driven me.

I come from a family with roots in different countries, both my maternal grandmother (her family came from Russia) and my maternal grandfather (his family originating in Prussia) have been traveling a lot, and settled in Austria after the war. My mother was no different, she worked on a freight ship, visiting all major harbours in the world, until she settled down with me. I grew up knowing that people had different backgrounds, that there was much to learn from other cultures. I always wanted to go out and explore all those places she had been to.

Staying in other cities and countries for a longer time for both school and work, has not only given me an understanding for other languages but also other cultures and customs. I have always been open and curious about meeting the Unknown. The older I got, the more I became interested in our collective past. Where do we come from, where does our language come from, and how did it develop through time?

At an exhibition at the Moesgaard Museum close to Aarhus I encountered an interactive disc where I could place small pieces with words written on them on the surface, and then turn the disc, to go back in time. The word would then leave traces through time and space, together with the older versions of it, until it came up with the oldest known form and attested place. This was exactly what I remembered, when I had to chose what I wanted to study.

There are two more things I love: Macro photography and prehistoric archaeology. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to combine both during an excavation in Russia in 2019.

 

Thank you!

This blog has been a long journey for various reasons, and I am very pleased to see the result. It was at the same time a fantastic journey, and I have learned a lot – especially to see things from two sides, or rather, from the point of view of various disciplines.

I was lucky enough to have support from fantastic people: Above all, Birgit Anette Olsen, who has been a well of knowledge and encouragement to me. She has always been patient, but direct, and supported me to find my way and my place in academia.

James A. Johnson has become a mentor to me, ever since he has been my teacher. He gave me the amazing opportunity to join an excavation expedition in Russia, to get practical experience, and to meet the material side of prehistory. I owe most of what I know about archaeology to him and his classes.

Thomas Olander has shared his forthcoming articles with me, explained me his views and encouraged me to have my own opinion on things.

Last but not least, my family. My dear husband who took care of our kids alone while I was in Russia for 6 weeks, and again most of the time while I was writing my thesis (and all the other exams during the last 4 years). Without him, I couldn’t have done this. My parents in law who have been helping out whenever they could. My kids, 2 and 4, who grounded me every day when they came home, and reminded me to take weekends off and just go for a walk in the woods (whether I wanted to or not).
And my mom, who couldn’t see the final result. Thanks for believing in me. I miss you.