1300-year-old ancient skis discovered in Norway
Archaeologists have discovered 1,300-year-old skis in the Rheinheien National Park on Mount Digerwarden, the Daily Mail reports, citing the Secrets of Ice program .
One ski was found back in 2014. The second was discovered only seven years later – it was frozen in ice, scientists managed to find it only when the site thawed enough. Together they make up the oldest pair of skis ever found.
The ascent to the mountain for the second ski was carried out on September 26. The archaeologists were guided by the GPS coordinates and the picture taken during the first visit. To get to the ski, scientists split the ice with an ax and poured boiling water over it.
The recently found ski is 187 centimeters long and 17 centimeters wide. The first one, discovered in 2014, has a different size, it is shorter by 17 centimeters and narrower by two centimeters. According to scientists, the sizes vary because the fixtures were made by hand.
The ski found in 2021 has more bindings. In addition, there are traces of repairs on it, while the rear part is missing – it may still be under the ice.
“Only after a careful study of the edge of the fault will we be able to tell exactly when it broke – whether it happened at the moment when the ancient skier lost it, or it cracked while inside the ice,” said archaeologist Lars Holger Piele, who participated in the expedition.
Earlier it was reported that archaeologists in the Bizmoon Cave on the Atlantic coast of Morocco discovered a “set” of 33 beads. The age of this item is estimated at 142-150 thousand years. As scientists suggested, it could be part of earrings or necklaces. If so, then this is the earliest known decoration in history.
