Jotunheimen glaciers reveal 6,000-year-old prehistoric artifacts

Archaeologists participating in the ‘Secrets of the Ice’ program have recovered several prehistoric artifacts from the melting glaciers of the Jotunheimen mountains in Norway. The findings include 48 arrows, some dating back between 5,000 and 6,000 years.

One significant discovery is a Stone Age arrow featuring a slate tip and a wooden shaft. Researchers also identified traces of birch bark tar and binding marks used to secure stone heads to shafts, providing insight into ancient hunting technologies.

While the melting ice is revealing older artifacts than in previous years—shifting from Viking Age finds to much older Stone and Bronze Age items—researchers note that climate change is a double-edged sword. The rapid disappearance of the ice, which is occurring faster than expected, exposes these ancient remains to the elements and accelerates their deterioration.