Page:Prehistoric and Medieval Skis from Glaciers and Ice Patches in Norway.pdf/7

Prehistoric and Medieval Skis from Glaciers and Ice Patches in Norway The Digervarden ski

The large ice patch to the east of Mount Digervarden (1780 m) was surveyed for the first time in 2014, and again in 2016. In addition to the ski described below, four arrows, six Iron Age scaring sticks, a piece of undated fabric and an eighteenth century sled have been recovered. Two of the arrows have nearly identical calibrated radiocarbon dates (cal 756–414/413 BCE), while one arrow can be dated to the seventh and eighth century CE, based on the shape of the iron arrow point.

The Digervarden ski (C59805/1, Figures 4–7) was found at the lower edge of the central part of the ice patch in 2014. It is radiocarbon dated to cal CE 663–859. It is of a known type, belonging to Ernst Manker’s type C1 (Manker 1971): Ski with a raised footrest narrower than the actual ski, and with a horizontal binding hole passing under the foot. There are no grooves on the underside.

The ski is complete, but a few small pieces have broken off the right side of the front part. The front of the ski is bent downwards due to post-depositional snow pressure (Figure 4). The ski is made of birch, is 170 cm long and the width is 14.7 cm. The thickness is greatest in the binding area (2.9 cm). The thickness is otherwise around 1 cm, which is probably somewhat less than the original thickness due to erosion and shrinkage.

There is a small round hole in the tip of the ski. This feature is also known from other prehistoric and medieval skis and from traditional skis today. One explanation for this hole is that it is a remnant from the bending of the ski tip. It is also known