Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com –<\/strong> Around 800 BCE, a significant landslide occurred in Gauldal, a river valley located in Central Norway. This event left the entire area covered in clay deposits.<\/p>\n Historical evidence suggests that this location held significant spiritual importance for the ancient inhabitants. In preparation for the expansion of the E6 highway, an archaeological survey was conducted to explore potential historical artifacts or other ancient remains.<\/p>\n Drone photo of the excavation.\u00a0 Credit: Kristin Eriksen \/ NTNU University Museum<\/em><\/p>\n Hanne Bryn, an experienced archaeologist from NTNU University Museum, soon came across signs of past human activity. The team faced the challenge of examining a large area with clay layers that reached a thickness of up to three meters. The excavation took longer than initially planned, spanning two summers instead of one. Still, their discoveries beneath the clay proved invaluable, offering significant insights into ancient life in the region.<\/p>\n “It’s a very special find. We\u2019ve never found anything quite like it. In a Central Norwegian context, it\u2019s entirely unique,” says Bryn.<\/p>\n While excavating, archaeologists made a fascinating discovery in Gauldal: a 3,000-year-old cult site where ancient people practiced their religion.<\/p>\n Archaeologists have conducted an excavation of the burial cairn, uncovering a stone that features both a cup mark and a pecked footprint. This discovery provides valuable insights into the cultural practices and symbolic expressions of the people who constructed these ancient sites.<\/em> According to Bryn, the site comprises two main areas, each featuring a longhouse about 10 to 12 meters in length, along with associated burial structures. Although these longhouses are not particularly large, they hold significant historical value.<\/p>\n Adjacent to one of the longhouses is a larger burial cairn\u2014a stone-made burial mound\u2014accompanied by three stone slab chambers used as burial chambers. Scattered around both the house and the burial site are loose stones adorned with carvings.<\/p>\n The carved stone shortly after its discovery. Credit: Hanne Bryn \/ NTNU University Museum<\/em><\/p>\n Among these findings is a stone from the burial cairn that displays an intricately pecked footprint, complete with toes and a cup mark\u2014a round depression measuring approximately 5 to 10 centimeters in diameter. Near the house lies a semicircle of stones; one features both an outlined footprint and a cup mark, while another bears several cup marks.<\/p>\n Additionally, at one end of the longhouse, an arrangement of slightly larger stones was found beneath which Bryn discovered a small engraved stone with markings on both sides.<\/p>\n The stone measures about 10 by 20 centimetres. On one side, a human figure and probably a dog are pecked in with dots. A bow and arrow are carved above the hand on the right side. On the other side, there is a human figure, an unknown figure, and a large boat. Credit: Hanne Bryn \/ NTNU University Museum<\/em><\/p>\n The stone, measuring approximately 20 by 10 centimeters, resembles a small photograph in size. On one side, it features a pecked depiction of a human figure alongside what seems to be a dog. Above the hand of this human figure, an engraving of a bow and arrow is depicted, crafted using a technique distinct from the rest of the image. The reverse side of the stone displays another human figure and an unidentified shape, both created with similar pecking techniques. Additionally, there is an engraving of a ship next to this second human figure.<\/p>\n “It’s a very special find,” says Bryn. “It’s so small. It’s portable, you could carry it in your pocket.”<\/p>\n Most rock art in Norway is carved or pecked directly into bedrock.<\/p>\n “Finding portable stones like this, lying in the landscape where they were once used, is especially rare. There aren’t many discoveries that compare,” says Bryn.<\/p>\n Archaeologists investigating the site found no evidence of settlements beneath the clay layer. However, they did discover cooking pits and a fire pit likely used for bronze casting. The area between zones containing longhouses and graves was otherwise devoid of habitation signs, suggesting it wasn’t a residential area but rather served another purpose. Bryn suggests this indicates the site’s special significance, though the exact use of carved stones remains uncertain.<\/p>\n Hanne Bryn. Credit: Rut Helene Langbrekke Nilsen \/ S\u00f8r-Tr\u00f8ndelag County Municipality<\/em><\/p>\n Bryn notes that these stones held ritual importance alongside burial structures. Within stone slab chambers, archaeologists uncovered burnt bones confirmed to be human and dated approximately between 1000 and 800 BCE, coinciding with an estimated landslide period.<\/p>\n The question arises whether the site remained active when it was buried by clay. Bryn clarifies that there are no signs of people present at that time; unlike Pompeii\u2014famously preserved after Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE\u2014the site does not show evidence of being suddenly abandoned due to disaster. Determining if the cult site was still in use during the landslide remains challenging, according to Bryn’s analysis.<\/p>\n Drawing of the carved boat on the small stone. Image: Kristoffer R. Rantala \/ NTNU University Museum<\/em><\/p>\n Near Gaulfossen, archaeologists have discovered numerous rock carvings, according to Bryn. Additional carvings have been identified on a plateau located south of the landslide pit. This entire region is recognized as a Bronze Age cultural landscape, indicating significant historical activity in the area.<\/p>\n Bryn and her team are optimistic about uncovering more findings this summer as their fieldwork progresses. Despite working amidst the ongoing E6 highway expansion, they are currently excavating a slightly elevated plateau situated just behind the origin of the clay slide.<\/p>\n Although no extraordinary artifacts have been found yet, there are indications that people once excavated this area. As a result, Bryn refers to it as a settlement area.<\/p>\n![\"Unique](\"https:\/\/www.ancientpages.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/petroglyphlandslidenorway2.jpg\")
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Credit: Mats Aspvik \/ NTNU University Museum<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nWere people there when the landslide hit?<\/h2>\n
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