This article was produced and financed by University of Stavanger

The parts of the shore where the settlements are located. The newly discovered stone-age settlement at the left side and the previously identified settlement at the right side. (All photos: Museum of Archaeology, University of Stavanger)

Norwegian lake holds several thousand year-old secret

People have wandered in the mountains of Gjesdal in the western part of Norway since time immemorial. Archaeologists have discovered a new addition to the site-complex from the Stone Age at the lake Stora Myrvatnet.

University of Stavanger

The University of Stavanger (UiS) is located in Stavanger, Norway and has about 8,500 students and 1200 administration, faculty and service staff.

A new stone-age dwelling at Store Myrvatn, a lake on a mountain plateau southeast of Hunnedalen in Norway is discovered by archaeologists from the Museum of Archaeology, University of Stavanger.

"The settlement consists of a tent ring, a circle of stones which would have been laid around the tent to keep the canvas in place. We also found some tools together with the stones. These included a flint blade, which is a variety of knife, and other tools," says Krister Eilertsen, project manager and archaeologist.

He and five colleagues from the museum made the new discoveries over three days last summer. The water level at the lake was very low due to a long period of drought, so they were able to investigate areas that are normally submerged by water.

Well preserved by the marsh

What was discovered is probably many thousands of years old. Archaeologists undertook excavations at Store Myrvatn in both the 1980s and 1990s, and some of the oldest stone-age settlements in the country’s mountain regions have been found at this very site.

A short three-day stint in the field produced great results, including the discovery of a hitherto unknown stone-age settlement.

"We already knew of the other stone-age settlements around the same lake, and we have previously found arrowheads, scrapers and knives here. Archaeologists have also found fragments of burned bones, but we did not find any this time," Eilertsen says.

The oldest traces of people found here are as old as 10.000 years. Previous finds at Store Myrvatn have provided scientists with some of the earliest C14 dating in the country. C14 is a method used to determine the age of organic material.

Several of the settlements are covered by thick layers of peat which formed after the settlements were abandoned.

"This has led to exceptionally good conditions for conservation at several of the stone-age settlements, where artifacts, tent rings, and fireplaces have been left untouched," the archaeologist says. "One experience a special feeling when holding a knife that might last have been held by a human more than 10.000 years ago."

Conserving the settlements
A flint blade, principally for making tools such as a knife, an arrow head or something similar in the Stone Age, is just one of the finds at Store Myrvatn.

Every year the archaeologists apply for conservation funds from the Directorate for Cultural Heritage, to be able to monitor and secure the prehistoric legacy of Store Myrvatn.

There are several reasons why the site must be secured. The Store Myrvatn lake is regulated for power production, and has been for decades. Thus, the lake’s level is not constant. That the lake is regulated means that the settlements are subject to erosion, and that wave activity is wreaking havoc on the peat.

Still more to explore

In addition to conserving the settlements identified, the archaeologists are aware that new settlements may emerge, just as it did last summer. 

The Archaeological Museum will continue the research at this site, and the search for new settlements.

"It is exciting that the site continues to deliver amazing results."

Krister Eilertsen, archaeologist

Besides documenting the site with aerial drone photography and many other methods, the archaeologists also had to restore an equipment storage shed damaged by severe winter weather. 

Now, they are ready for new visits at the lake.  

"We found fireplaces, stone seals and made several other discoveries. It is exciting that the site continues to deliver amazing results. Hopefully, we'll be able to investigate the new settlements during one of the coming seasons. Our fingers are crossed for more great finds," Eilertsen says.

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