Melting Norwegian ice reveals ancient treasures beneath snow
This summer in Norway has been exceptionally dry and warm, melting the snow in the mountains of the Møre og Romsdal region. As a result, researchers have asked hikers to stay alert, as they believe that melting snowdrifts may reveal true treasures hidden beneath the snow. This also happened a decade ago.
As the portal sciencenorway.no reminds us, in 2014, the summer in Norway was exceptionally dry and warm. This caused the snow in the mountains of the Møre og Romsdal region in the western part of the country to melt and reveal many ancient artifacts. Scientists frequently received reports of new discoveries.
According to the researchers, a similar situation could occur this year, as the summer has brought similar conditions, and there is little snow in the mountains. Therefore, archaeologists have appealed to hikers to look around and pay particular attention to what emerges from the melting snowdrifts. There might be natural treasures there.
Pay special attention to melting snowdrifts and areas known for hunting and trapping sites, asked archaeologists Guro Dehli Sanden and Kristoffer Dahle, as quoted by sciencenorway.no.
Ski, shovel, and "scaring sticks"
Ongoing climate changes have made fascinating discoveries increasingly common. A decade ago, while studying the melting snow cover on Digervarden mountain (southern Norway), researchers found a wooden ski from before the Viking Age. Interestingly, it was almost undamaged.
The Norwegian portal also recalls that among the finds were an ancient wooden shovel, dated between 160 and 350 AD, and "scaring sticks," which moved in the wind and emitted loud sounds. Ancient hunters used these.
However, many more similar examples have been found. These include swords from the Viking Age, arrowheads, wooden rattles, and archaic leather shoes.
Anyone who comes across an interesting object that might be of historical significance, according to the researchers' advice, should take a photo of the find spot and record the GPS coordinates.
If you find artefacts that are damp, it’s important to prevent them from drying out. Store them in a cool place, like a fridge or cellar. If the items are antlers or bones, the archaeologists advise putting them in the freezer, as quoted by sciencenorway.no.
