Melting glaciers reveal lost mountain pass and artifacts used by Vikings

By Ashley Strickland, CNN

Updated 7:03 PM ET, Wed April 15, 2020

Researchers recovered a small container made of birch bark found along a once-lost mountain pass in Norway. The container was dated to 400 AD.
Photos: Melting ice reveals Viking artifacts
Researchers recovered a small container made of birch bark found along a once-lost mountain pass in Norway. The container was dated to 400 AD.
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This Roman Iron Age tunic as it was found, crumpled up and lying in a depression and dated to 300 AD. It's a remarkably complete garment.
Photos: Melting ice reveals Viking artifacts
This Roman Iron Age tunic as it was found, crumpled up and lying in a depression and dated to 300 AD. It's a remarkably complete garment.
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This wooden bit was once used for goat kids and lambs to prevent them from reaching their mothers' milk, as the milk was processed for human consumption. It was dated to the 11th century AD.
Photos: Melting ice reveals Viking artifacts
This wooden bit was once used for goat kids and lambs to prevent them from reaching their mothers' milk, as the milk was processed for human consumption. It was dated to the 11th century AD.
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This horseshoe was recovered along the pass, including a small part of the hoof star still attached to the other side. The shape is similar to those made between the 11th and 13th century AD.
Photos: Melting ice reveals Viking artifacts
This horseshoe was recovered along the pass, including a small part of the hoof star still attached to the other side. The shape is similar to those made between the 11th and 13th century AD.
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Researcher Elling Utvik Wammer holds the skull of an unlucky packhorse that did not survive its journey. The skull was dated to 1700 AD, making it the most recent item found at the site.
Photos: Melting ice reveals Viking artifacts
Researcher Elling Utvik Wammer holds the skull of an unlucky packhorse that did not survive its journey. The skull was dated to 1700 AD, making it the most recent item found at the site.
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Researcher Lars Pilø is pictured by a cairn, which was used to mark the route of the mountain pass.
Photos: Melting ice reveals Viking artifacts
Researcher Lars Pilø is pictured by a cairn, which was used to mark the route of the mountain pass.
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The upper part of the Lendbreen ice patch can be seen after the big melt in 2019. The surface of the ice is covered with horse dung left on the pass when it was originally used.
Photos: Melting ice reveals Viking artifacts
The upper part of the Lendbreen ice patch can be seen after the big melt in 2019. The surface of the ice is covered with horse dung left on the pass when it was originally used.
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This Viking Age mitten was made from different pieces of woven fabric and dated to the 9th century AD.