Archaeologists have made several new discoveries during a study of ice patches in Lendbreen, Norway.
“Secrets Of The Ice” is a glacier archaeology program, dedicated to studying ice patches containing preserved artefacts and organic objects.
Snowdrifts and ice patches can preserve organic remains for extended periods, as cold temperatures significantly slow down chemical and biological processes, nearly halting the degradation when temperatures reach freezing.
As part of a wider survey in the Breheimen National Park, situated in Norway’s Innlandet and Vestland counties, archaeologists have been surveying the area of Lendbreen.
Lendbreen is a glacier and mountain pass that served as an important trade route from the Roman era until the late Middle Ages. As the glacier has receded due to climate change, it has revealed a range of ancient artefacts that provide new insights into the history of human activity in the high-altitude regions of Norway.
The survey has yielded the discovery of a 1300-year-old arrow, complete with a preserved shaft and iron arrowhead. The only part missing are the fletches, however, a faint imprint is still visible on the shaft.
According to a press announcement on social media, the arrow has only recently melted from the ice, which was found in situ on the ice surface.
The researchers also recently found a horse’s canine tooth, likely belonging to one of the packhorses that traversed the Lendbreen pass during the Iron Age and Medieval period, in addition to a preserved piece of textile that dates from the Viking Age or Medieval Period.
At another survey site in August 2024, the team discovered scaring stick flags used for hunting deer, as well as a Viking-era arrowhead in the Jotunheimen Mountains.
Header Image Credit : Secrets Of The Ice
Sources : Secrets Of The Ice
