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.
Hide Caption
1 of 16
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.
Hide Caption
2 of 16
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.
Hide Caption
3 of 16
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.
Hide Caption
4 of 16
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.
Hide Caption
5 of 16
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.
Hide Caption
6 of 16
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.
Hide Caption
7 of 16
This Viking Age mitten was made from different pieces of woven fabric and dated to the 9th century AD.
Photos: Melting ice reveals Viking artifacts
This Viking Age mitten was made from different pieces of woven fabric and dated to the 9th century AD.
Hide Caption
8 of 16
This wooden distaff made from birch was used to help spin wool by hand and it was radiocarbon-dated to 800 AD.
Photos: Melting ice reveals Viking artifacts
This wooden distaff made from birch was used to help spin wool by hand and it was radiocarbon-dated to 800 AD.
Hide Caption
9 of 16
Although it was just found in 2019 and hasn't been dated yet, researchers were intrigued by this horse snowshoe found at the site.
Photos: Melting ice reveals Viking artifacts
Although it was just found in 2019 and hasn't been dated yet, researchers were intrigued by this horse snowshoe found at the site.
Hide Caption
10 of 16
The Lendbreen ice patch has melted back drastically. The picture above shows Lendbreen during the big melt in 2006, the picture below is from 2018.
Photos: Melting ice reveals Viking artifacts
The Lendbreen ice patch has melted back drastically. The picture above shows Lendbreen during the big melt in 2006, the picture below is from 2018.
Hide Caption
11 of 16
Researchers have endured bad weather and challenging conditions and terrain since they began studying the pass in 2011.
Photos: Melting ice reveals Viking artifacts
Researchers have endured bad weather and challenging conditions and terrain since they began studying the pass in 2011.
Hide Caption
12 of 16
This shoe, dated to the 10th century AD, was made from animal hide. Hair on the outside of the shoe gave it better grip on the snow.
Photos: Melting ice reveals Viking artifacts
This shoe, dated to the 10th century AD, was made from animal hide. Hair on the outside of the shoe gave it better grip on the snow.
Hide Caption
13 of 16
This remarkably complete tinderbox was found in 2019 and hasn't been dated yet.
Photos: Melting ice reveals Viking artifacts
This remarkably complete tinderbox was found in 2019 and hasn't been dated yet.
Hide Caption
14 of 16