Key Takeaways:
– The University of Oslo’s archaeologists uncovered Viking-age and medieval shelters at Holmetjønn, an ancient mountain cabin site along Nordmannslepa trail.
– Artifacts like hunting arrows, a fire steel, animal bones, and discarded cattle jaws were found, shedding light on life during the Viking age.
– The site served as a crucial resting point for both riders and livestock along the trail.
– Research part of a larger project called FOODIMPACT to study medieval food culture in Norway.

Archaeologists from the University of Oslo’s Museum of Cultural History recently made a breakthrough at Holmetjønn, an ancient cabin site along the historic Nordmannslepa trail. The excavation provides a clearer view of Viking-age and medieval shelters once positioned in the rugged landscape of the Hardangervidda plateau.

Unraveling the Great Nordmannslepa’s Secrets

The Great Nordmannslepa is among Norway’s most historic transport routes. It stretches across the Hardangervidda, linking the West and East. This path played a pivotal role in transporting goods and livestock. Archaeologists uncovered two distinct cabin foundations during an investigation at a site near Holmetjønn, about a five-kilometer walk from the existing Stigstuv tourist lodge.

One foundation is a stone building probably spotted by Professor Christopher Hansteen during his journey across Hardangervidda in 1821. A second older cabin foundation, dating back to the Viking Age and the Middle Ages, was found underneath it. Hansteen described the path marked with cairns as “comforting guides who say’ You are still on the right path.'”

Indications from the Excavation Site

Beneath the cabin debris, archaeologists discovered an entrance area and a larger main room, presumably centered around a large fireplace. Layers of soot, along with animal bones mainly from birds, fish, and reindeer, were found inside, suggesting it served as a communal space for cooking, warmth, and rest.

Evidence of wood from different tree species was also discovered. This might hint that travelers carried their fuel, given the scarcity of firewood in the high altitude surroundings. The archaeologists found several horseshoes outside the cabin, suggesting its role as a resting point for both people and horses, a significant discovery that reclaims an essential aspect of the Nordic heritage.

Unearthed Viking Age Artefacts

Among the most interesting finds were two Viking-age hunting arrows and a fire steel found near the cabin’s entrance. The presence of these detailed artifacts hints at the cabin being a base for hunters exploiting the abundant game in the surrounding mountains. The fire steel common to that era provides more evidence of the cabin’s Viking origins.

Moreover, they discovered entire cattle jaws discarded in the fire, raising questions about the type of food consumed by old travelers. One plausible theory is that they might have eaten Smalahove, a traditional Norwegian dish made from sheep’s head.

The Bigger Picture

The excavation at Holmetjønn provides crucial data about survival and travel during the Viking Age and Middle Ages. Medieval laws indicating the importance of these cabins as shelters further corroborates this fact. These laws state that if a shelter was full, lots would be drawn to decide who must leave.

This archaeological venture forms part of a more extensive project called “FOODIMPACT,” which studies medieval food culture in Norway. By analyzing the remains found at this and other sites, researchers aspire to gain insights into the lives and survival strategies of ancient travelers in Norway.

The University of Oslo’s archaeologists will continue their endeavors at Holmetjønn as the site holds potential for additional discoveries, potentially illuminating further the mysterious Viking-age history.