Page:Prehistoric and Medieval Skis from Glaciers and Ice Patches in Norway.pdf/10

52 (Sørensen 1993b) is very similar and with a slightly older date, but has two grooves underneath. This ski has the same width, but is c. 30 cm shorter than the Digervarden ski. The incomplete Utrovatn ski, also from Oppland County, has a raised foothold and a width of 13 cm, with a groove underneath (Sørensen 1995a). This ski is radiocarbon-dated to the Viking Age, i. e. slightly younger than the Digervarden ski (Sørensen 1995b, 48).

Experiments with a reconstructed pair of Digervarden skis show that they are fully functional. Since the foot is not stuck in a firm binding like modern skis, it is not possible to change course by adding more weight to the outer ski in the bend as it is done today. Traditional skiers from the Chinese Altai Mountains use similar skis combined with a single pole. During skiing, they lean backwards and use the pole as a steering pole (Figure 8). A traditional skier from Altai, Ma Liqin, tried out the reconstructed Digervarden skis during a visit to Oppland in 2015. He said they worked well, but he was convinced that they must have been fur-lined as all traditional skis in Altai are. Otherwise, one gains too much speed downhill, which can be hazardous, or will have too little traction going uphill.

The Søre Dalfonn skis

Søre Dalfonn is a small ice patch extending from a canyon. The lower edge is at c. 1500 m. a. s. l. The ice patch has released two skis (Hole 2015). The first one was found by Helge Hole in 1980 (Dalfonn 1). Hole also found a second ski here in 2002 (Dalfonn 2). The ice patch has also yielded Iron Age arrows.

The Dalfonn 1 ski (C36673a, Figure 9) was radiocarbon-dated to c. AD 500 shortly after it was found, according to the catalogue at the Museum of Cultural History,