1,500-Year-Old Reindeer Trap Emerges as Norwegian Ice Melts — Decorated Oars Deepen the Mystery

Vestland County, Norway — Melting ice high in Norway's remote mountains has revealed a remarkably well-preserved reindeer trap dating to the Early Iron Age. Local hiker Helge Titland discovered the site in 2024 at roughly 4,600 feet above sea level, exposing wooden fences and hunting implements that had been hidden for about 1,500 years.

What Was Found

Archaeologists from the University Museum of Bergen and Vestland County Municipality examined the location and confirmed its age and significance. The excavation recovered:

• Large wooden fence structures consistent with reindeer traps
• Decorated oar-like objects with detailed ornamentation — an unexpected and puzzling find
• A brooch carved from reindeer antler
• Wooden arrows and iron spearheads

“The most unexpected discovery is one or more oars decorated with detailed ornamentation. What these were used for, and why they were brought into the mountains 1,500 years ago, is still a mystery,” said Øystein Skår, an archaeologist with Vestland County Municipality.

Preservation and Context

Evidence indicates the trap was abandoned during a colder interval in the mid-sixth century. After abandonment, the wooden logs and antler remains were rapidly buried beneath snow and ice, which preserved organic materials unusually well. Recent warming has caused the ice to recede and slowly reveal the site.

Broader Significance

Beyond its archaeological value, the find highlights a pressing modern problem: accelerating glacial and mountain ice loss. Mountain glaciers and perennial snow serve as crucial freshwater reservoirs for billions of people, and when they shrink, communities may face water scarcity, altered seasonal flows, and increased flood risk.

Melting ice also contributes to sea-level rise and can shift ecosystems, enabling pests and disease carriers to expand into new regions. Scientists emphasize that human-driven warming is increasing the intensity and frequency of many extreme weather events, compounding risks to communities worldwide.

Response and Next Steps

Researchers continue to study the site to better understand ancient hunting practices and the surprising oar-like artifacts. Meanwhile, governments and scientists are improving ice and water monitoring systems, exploring new water storage and conservation strategies for mountain regions, and promoting emissions reductions to slow warming and preserve remaining ice — along with the archaeological record it safeguards.

Institutions Involved: University Museum of Bergen; Vestland County Municipality. Discovery reported in 2024.