In recent years, climate change has caused a surge in glacial archaeology as melting ice and permafrost reveal a treasure trove of ancient artifacts from around the world. Archaeologists are racing against time to recover these items before they are lost forever due to environmental decay.
Among the most notable recent discoveries is a 4,000-year-old arrow from the Stone Age found in Norway. The arrow was uncovered by archaeologists working with Norway’s Secrets of the Ice program, a cooperative effort between Innlandet County Municipality and the Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. The arrow was initially believed to be from the Iron Age but was later revealed to be from the Stone Age.
What sets this recent discovery apart is the remarkable preservation of the arrow. Though broken into three parts, the arrowhead remains attached to the shaft, along with the feathers, known as fletchings, which help stabilize the arrow’s flight path. The arrow is currently awaiting radiocarbon dating to determine its precise age.
Lars Holger Pilø, co-director of the Secrets of the Ice program, highlighted the urgency of their work, stating, “We’re sort of in a race against time. We really need to work even harder to save as many of these artifacts as we possibly can.”
The Secrets of the Ice program has been tirelessly scouring mountain pᴀsses in Norway for over a decade, discovering around 4,000 artifacts and remains in the process. These artifacts, ranging from a 1,000-year-old wooden whisk to Viking mittens, medieval horseshoes, Bronze Age skis, and more than 150 arrows, provide invaluable insights into the history of the region.
