Arrows that have been frozen in Sweden’s northern mountains for around 1,000 years have been found in two separate locations. The perfectly preserved arrows were discovered at 1,200 metres above sea level near the lake of Tornetrask in the far north of the country, with experts claiming they were most likely used by the native Sami people to hunt reindeers.
The head of the Ajtte Museum in Jokkmokk, Kjell-Ake Aronsson, said he was naturally excited by the discovery, describing it as great to come across something no one has seen for 1,000 years.
The two iron-made arrowheads were still on the wooden arrow shafts when discovered, which Aronsson said made it even more special. He said the whole of both arrow shafts were preserved and complete, adding that they has remained frozen in the higher regions of the mountains.
He went on to note that when discovering arrow heads, it is usual that the shafts have decomposed. He explained that the arrows were most likely used high up in the mountains as reindeer climb as high as they can in the summer to find cooler air and avoid mosquitoes. He added that the mountains were easy hunting grounds for the hunters.
The arrows will go on display at the Ajtte Museum next year after undergoing expert conservation. The museum bills itself as the gateway to the Sami centre.