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The relentless melting of Norwegian glaciers is gradually releasing hundreds of mysterious ancient objects that were once frozen in the ice for centuries.
Every summer, archaeologists organize expeditions into the harsh mountains of Norway to find unique treasures - from ancient human remains to unusual wooden tools and whimsical sculptures.
Norway is currently leading the development of so-called "glacial archaeology", in particular thanks to the project "Secrets of Ice", which is run by Espen Finstad. According to him, the country possesses approximately 4500 artifacts, which is more than half of all such finds in the world.
The artifacts found amidst the melting ice are helping historians and archaeologists study the development of crafts and trade routes that ran through the mountain passes. A recently completed field expedition has yielded remarkable results, and here are some of the most interesting discoveries.
Mountains, glaciers and ancient journeys
People have long crossed the Norwegian glaciers, trading and buying goods. This began as early as the Stone Age, when hunters, nomads and traders chose routes that led from the coastal areas into the interior of the country.
Most of the items left behind, from snowshoes for horses to leather goods, have been frozen in the ice and preserved there to this day. The situation has changed in recent decades due to climate change: the burning of fossil fuels is causing global temperatures to rise, and glaciers around the world are melting faster, revealing hidden rarities.
Simple things and bizarre finds
Some of the artifacts discovered may look familiar, like a glove that is almost identical in shape to a modern one. Others, like a peculiar wooden "wreath," puzzle researchers with their unusual appearance.
The Lendbrin glacier zone traditionally attracts the most attention. Here, archaeologists manage to find a whole range of antiquities every year. According to evidence, this particular pass was widely used by Vikings and medieval merchants, and in 2024, the melting of the ice made it possible to delve even deeper into the past.
In search of arrows and hunters' tracks
At Lendbrin, a team of seven archaeologists set up a field camp, using pack horses to transport equipment. Some artifacts are literally lying on the ice surface, as if waiting to be picked up. That's when they came across a perfectly preserved arrowhead, about 1300 years old.
He said ancient arrows are often found in the highlands, as people actively hunted reindeer during the Iron Age and the Middle Ages. The animals gather on icy patches in the summer to escape annoying flies, making it easier for hunters who wanted to get meat for themselves and to sell.
Arrowheads can reveal a lot about the society of past eras: for example, arrowheads are sometimes made from shells brought from distant regions. This indicates that our ancestors traveled and traded over long distances.
Some of this year's arrows have survived so well that they even show traces of feathers. Such organic matter almost never survives for millennia, so each such find delights researchers.
Amazing wooden trinkets
Along with the arrows, mysterious objects that are almost impossible to identify are also found. These could be tiny fragments of wood, leather, or fabric with traces of stitching – all of which require further study in laboratories.
Periodically, extreme weather forces archaeologists to end expeditions prematurely, with snow and blizzards preventing further exploration. But now researchers know where to return next summer, when melting glaciers could reveal a new batch of secrets from the depths of history.
