A priceless archaeological treasure dating from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages suddenly appeared in Norway, when a thousand-year-old iceberg melted.
According to an article published in the scientific journal Holocene, a total of 68 artifacts in exceptionally good condition were exposed when a large iceberg in the mountains of Innlandet district (Norway) melted. Archaeologists have applied dating methods through radioactive carbon isotopes and learned that the oldest artifacts date back to 6,000 years ago, or the Stone Age.
One of the artifacts exposed in the ice is an intact spear tip – Photo provided by the research team
These 6,000-year-old artifacts are mainly described as “scary” sticks, used to herd animals into places where they can be hunted more easily. There are also many reindeer bones and antlers crafted into tools to hunt their own species.
Besides, there are also many arrows and spears made from many different materials. It is estimated that this “treasure” has preserved a long history from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages. Arrows from many periods are the most highly valued, because this weapon often contains a lot of information about the level and development of those who use them.
Area where “icy treasure” was found – Photo provided by the research team
Science Alert quoted archaeologist Lars Holger Pilø from the Department of Cultural Heritage, Innladet District Council (Norway): “This is an ice relic with many arrows and the largest time range between artifacts in the world.” . Doing fieldwork here and finding these artifacts is an archaeologist’s dream.”
The entire area was also surveyed using ground-penetrating radar techniques, which recorded how some artifacts were crushed – which represents the movement of ice sheets. Although excited about the discovery of this archaeological treasure, the scientific community is very concerned about the way the artifacts were unearthed by nature. Melting ice is a clear demonstration of global warming. The Langfonne ice sheet in this mountainous area is less than 1/3 of its size 20 years ago, as well as only about 10% of the size of the Little Ice Age (from the 15th to 20th centuries).
