A Man-made Stone Structure Discovered Underwater in Norway

Marine archaeologists have discovered an amazing piece of history in the icy waters of western Norway: a huge, artificial stone belt resting on the ocean floor. This historic building provides a unique window into the harsh and well-organized hunting methods of the past. It is thought to be the remnants of a medieval whale trapping station.

The discovery, which was made in Grindasundet close to the settlement of Telavåg, is the first instance of physical evidence of this kind being discovered underwater and connected to the earliest known Norwegian legislation.Elling Utvik Wammer, a marine archaeologist at the Norwegian Maritime Museum who oversaw the investigation, said, "The recently found underwater archaeological site is very unusual."

Exposing the Underwater Barrier

The study team used sophisticated sonar mapping and photogrammetry to record the location while braving the chilly January waters and breaking through ice to dive. Across the channel, they found a clear belt of stones that was up to 9 meters (29.5 feet) wide and more than 25 meters (82 feet) long. The thoughtful placement of the stones, some of which were stacked on top of one another, amply demonstrated human construction.

Divers discovered an enigmatic circular pile of rocks that was 15 meters (49 feet) broad and 4 meters (13 feet) high next to the stone belt. This mound, according to researchers, is a remnant of an 18th-century attempt to fill in the strait, which was ultimately abandoned because of the enormous amount of work and rock needed.

It is believed that the stone belt serves as the basis for a barrier that blocks the strait. This very spot was originally home to a permanent gate constructed of wood, rope, and stones, according to historical sources from the 1500s. The barrier's sole function was to capture whales that had been forced into the bay.

The Cruel Truth of Whaling in the Middle Ages

Whale trapping in small inlets has a long tradition in Norway. The oldest known Norwegian provincial legislation, the Gulating legislation, which applied to Western Norway in the ninth century AD, makes reference to it. The discovery at Telavåg is particularly noteworthy since it offers tangible proof of these old law documents.

The locals reacted quickly when they saw a whale—typically a minke whale—entering the bay. Closing the barrier and locking the enormous animal inside was the top concern. The village as a whole then engaged in a taxing and antiquated kind of hunting.

"After that, they began to shoot the whales with crossbows and arrows infected with bacteria from spoiled meat," Wammer said. The goal of this technique was to gradually weaken the whale. When the monster got tired, dozens of men in rowing boats harpooned it and brought it to land.

This was by no means a quick process. In adjacent Skogsvågen, eyewitness reports from the late 19th century depict a horrific scene when harpoons were regularly ripped out and injured whales may swim about the bay for days before eventually dying. Wammer points out that it would have been extremely perilous for the hunters to try to swiftly harpoon and kill a giant whale from small, flimsy wooden boats, even though this sounds harsh by today's standards.

Rituals and Deep Historical Roots

It is impossible to overestimate the significance of whaling to these coastal towns. The enormous value of the capture is reflected in the tremendous amount of work needed to construct and maintain the trapping barrier at Grindasundet. The inhabitants relied on whale flesh, blubber, and bone to survive the severe winters.

The whales were killed at Kvalvollen in an enclosure bordered with rocks, and the meat was distributed to participants in accordance with a complicated system with several regulations. In addition, hunting was a highly ritualized activity. As stated by Wammer

Although texts from the 16th century specifically mention the barrier at Telavåg, whale trapping there most likely started much earlier. The bay's rights were controlled by the Nonneseter Monastery in Bergen throughout the Middle Ages, and their interest may have been primarily motivated by the profitable whaling industry.

In an effort to learn more about historic coastal hunting and trapping establishments, the study team intends to return to the area in June for additional underwater fieldwork. This uncommon finding offers a dismal glimpse into the survival tactics of medieval coastal populations while also illuminating their inventiveness.