• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

Archaeologists urge vigilance as melting snow in Western Norway reveals ancient artifacts

by Dario Radley
August 26, 2024

This summer, the mountains of Møre og Romsdal in Western Norway are experiencing unusually low levels of snow, prompting archaeologists to issue a public appeal to hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to be vigilant for ancient artifacts emerging from melting snowfields. The Møre og Romsdal County Municipality, alongside archaeologists Guro Dehli Sanden and Kristoffer Dahle, is calling on anyone in the region to report any objects they find, as these items could be of significant archaeological value.

Archaeologists urge vigilance as melting snow in Western Norway reveals ancient artifacts
The wooden spade dated to the Roman period (180–350 CE) was found between Eikesdalen and Romsdal. Credit: Dag Ringstad / Møre og Romsdal County Municipality

The conditions this year are reminiscent of the summer of 2014, which was particularly dry and warm, leading to the exposure of numerous ancient artifacts in the region. “This summer is reminiscent of 2014, which was a particularly dry and hot summer. In combination with little snow in the mountains, the size of the snowdrifts in Høgfjelle decreased sharply. This led to the county council receiving reports of very exciting discoveries, which had melted from old snowdrifts,” stated the Møre and Romsdal County Municipality in a recent press release.

During that year, several remarkable discoveries were made, including a wooden spade dated to the Roman period (180–350 CE) found between Eikesdalen and Romsdal. Other findings included items related to hunting and trapping, such as scare sticks, antlers and bones with slaughter marks, wooden rattles, and braided rope. Scare sticks, which are bundles of wooden sticks tied together with birch bark, were used by ancient hunters to frighten wild reindeer and guide them towards hunting areas. These sticks moved in the wind, creating noise similar to that of modern wind chimes.

Given the likelihood of similar conditions leading to further discoveries, archaeologists are urging the public to keep a close eye on melting snowdrifts and areas historically known for hunting and trapping. “Pay special attention to melting snowdrifts and areas known for hunting and trapping sites,” Sanden and Dahle advised in their press release. The archaeologists explained that the cold conditions in snowdrifts and ice patches preserve organic materials exceptionally well, as the freezing temperatures significantly slow down chemical and biological processes.

If hikers come across any objects, they are advised to photograph the items and their discovery location from various angles, preferably including both close-up and wider shots. Recording GPS coordinates or marking the location on a map is also highly recommended. These steps are crucial for ensuring that the precise location of the discovery can be revisited by professional archaeologists. Sanden and Dahle added: “If you cannot transport the artifact safely without it breaking, then leave it where it is.”

RelatedStories

Medieval bed burials across Europe reveal cultural diversity, symbolism, and mystery

Medieval bed burials across Europe reveal cultural diversity, symbolism, and mystery

June 16, 2025
Six centuries-old shipwrecks unearthed in Sweden reveal secrets of medieval maritime history

Six centuries-old shipwrecks unearthed in Sweden reveal secrets of medieval maritime history

May 16, 2025

In cases where hikers find items that can be safely moved, the recommended procedure involves wrapping the artifact securely and placing it in a cool environment. “If you happen to discover such an item, what you should do depends on the nature and quantity of your find,” the archaeologists noted. For objects like bones or antlers, storing them in a freezer is advised to prevent any deterioration, while other damp items should be kept in a refrigerator or cellar to avoid drying out.

The Møre og Romsdal County Municipality is encouraging anyone who discovers potential archaeological finds to contact local authorities promptly. By collaborating with the public, archaeologists hope to preserve and study these ancient artifacts to further understand the history of the region.

This ongoing effort to uncover and protect artifacts highlights the invaluable role of the public in contributing to archaeological discoveries and preserving cultural heritage.

More information: Møre and Romsdal County Municipality

ShareTweetShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Ancient ritual spear from Japan’s sacred island reveals East Asia’s earliest gold-inlaid sheath
Archaeology

Ancient ritual spear from Japan’s sacred island reveals East Asia’s earliest gold-inlaid sheath

June 21, 2025
50 World War-era helmets discovered near Wrocław University, Poland
Archaeology

50 World War-era helmets discovered near Wrocław University, Poland

June 21, 2025
6,000-year-old “Venus of Kołobrzeg” confirmed as rare Neolithic discovery in northern Poland
Archaeology

6,000-year-old “Venus of Kołobrzeg” confirmed as rare Neolithic discovery in northern Poland

June 21, 2025
2,000-year-old wall paintings revealed from ‘Beverly Hills of Roman London’ Credit: MOLA
Archaeology

2,000-year-old wall paintings unearthed in ‘Beverly Hills of Roman London’

June 20, 2025
Remarkable 11th-century ritual sword with rare symbolic inlays discovered in Dutch river
Archaeology

Remarkable 11th-century ritual sword with rare symbolic inlays discovered in Dutch river

June 19, 2025
Rare sperm whale tooth unearthed at Valencina Copper Age megasite reveals ancient Iberian coastal connections
Archaeology

Rare sperm whale tooth unearthed at Valencina Copper Age megasite reveals ancient Iberian coastal connections

June 17, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
108K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

June 9, 2025
6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

June 13, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

Ancient ritual spear from Japan’s sacred island reveals East Asia’s earliest gold-inlaid sheath

Ancient ritual spear from Japan’s sacred island reveals East Asia’s earliest gold-inlaid sheath

June 21, 2025
50 World War-era helmets discovered near Wrocław University, Poland

50 World War-era helmets discovered near Wrocław University, Poland

June 21, 2025
6,000-year-old “Venus of Kołobrzeg” confirmed as rare Neolithic discovery in northern Poland

6,000-year-old “Venus of Kołobrzeg” confirmed as rare Neolithic discovery in northern Poland

June 21, 2025
2,000-year-old wall paintings revealed from ‘Beverly Hills of Roman London’ Credit: MOLA

2,000-year-old wall paintings unearthed in ‘Beverly Hills of Roman London’

June 20, 2025
Remarkable 11th-century ritual sword with rare symbolic inlays discovered in Dutch river

Remarkable 11th-century ritual sword with rare symbolic inlays discovered in Dutch river

June 19, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.