Melting ice reveals 1,500-year-old reindeer trap high in Norway’s mountains

The discovery in the ice mountains of Norway by archaeologists uncovered an amazingly well-preserved 1,500-year-old site for trapping reindeer, and a collection of some really odd wooden artifacts. Some of the objects they discovered include an ornamental wooden boat oar, which today certainly is out of place, at approximately 4,600 ft above sea level.The discoveries were made during digs at an archaeological site of Aurlandsfjellet in western Norway where researchers have been working since August. The team found hundreds of tree branches piled into two long wooden barricades, according to a statement from the Vestland County Municipality. These structures are hypothesized to have been a hunting blind or corral built to lead reindeer into trap.Aurlandsfjellet is a scenic high-mountain route popular with travellers for its dramatic landscapes, making the discovery a striking reminder that these remote vistas once doubled as vital hunting grounds long before they became part of modern travel itineraries. “These are items we would never find in ordinary excavations, including a pine oar, and a clothing pin made of antler” said Leif Inge Åstveit, an archaeologist at the University Museum of Bergen, in the official statement. He highlighted the rarity of the discoveries, which include a pine oar and a clothing pin made of antler. The pin, shaped like a miniature axe, was described as an especially exceptional find.Near the trapping facility, archaeologists also recovered a large number of reindeer antlers bearing clear cut marks. These marks indicate that the animals were trapped, killed and likely processed at the site itself.Additional artifacts linked directly to hunting activities were found nearby, including iron spearheads, wooden arrows and three bows. Among the smaller objects was a finely crafted antler brooch shaped like a miniature axe, which researchers believe may have been accidentally dropped by a hunter during the hunt.Most of the objects can be easily tied to reindeer hunting, but that carved wooden oar is a mystery. But its location so high up inspired speculation about how it was shot into the mountains. Archaeologists say that further analysis in years to come may shed light on how and why the object managed to end up there.Experts believe the site was so well preserved, thanks to a period of ideological and climatic cooling in the mid-sixth century, according to experts. Colder weather could mean heavier snow and growing ice, which may have pushed hunters away from the site. Based on the repeated use and good preservation of the boards and antlers, it appears that the structures were quickly covered with snow and ice after they had fallen into disuse.“This discovery opens up entirely new interpretations of how these facilities functioned,” Åstveit said, adding that the unusually intact antler and wooden materials will be invaluable for future research.According to the statement, global warming is now playing a role in bringing such sites back into view, as melting ice reveals objects long sealed within glaciers. Similar discoveries have been made in Norway’s mountains in recent years, including ancient wooden skis, a centuries-old leather sandal emerging from retreating ice, and more.