1100-Year-Old Boat-Shaped Structure Found Inside a Volcanic Cave With Decorative Minerals Intrigues Archaeologists
Apocalypse as a final event has been recognized by several cultures, including the Vikings. Their culture instructed its members to follow certain practices, which would protect them during Ragnarök, an end-times event, according to Live Science. Evidence of some of these preparations was spotted in an Icelandic cave. The findings were explained in detail in the Journal of Archaeological Science.
Inside the Icelandic cave, a team of experts found a boat-shaped structure made of rocks. Researchers believe the structure was sculpted by Vikings, and inside, they burnt bones of animals like pigs, goats, cattle, horses, and sheep. The burning of animals was possibly done as a form of sacrifice by the Vikings to avoid Ragnarök.
According to experts, the cave named Surtshellir was formed due to a volcanic eruption in the late ninth century A.D., according to Smithsonian Magazine. The eruption occurred soon after the Viking colonization of Iceland. Examinations suggest that after the lava cooled down, Vikings entered the cave and started building the boat. Historical records suggest that the community associated the cave with Surtr, a mythical giant that would supposedly fight the gods and bring Ragnarök to the world.
Ragnarök referred to a series of events in Norse mythology that will lead to a fight between the gods and Surtr, which will eventually lead to the former's death and engulf the earth in flames, stated Daily Mail. The destruction would supposedly be so large-scale that it would destroy the entire universe. The Viking community believed that it would happen at one point in the future.
Analysis indicated that these sacrifices continued for six to eight decades in the cave, stated Smithsonian Magazine. The team thinks that it was possibly an annual tradition of sorts, where Vikings came to the cave once every year, and burnt the animals. The practice appeared to have stopped when Vikings reportedly converted to Christianity in the region. Researchers believe that the last object deposited in the cave was a set of scale weights, one of which was in the shape of a Christian Cross. The item possibly marked the end of pagan rituals at the site.
Apart from bones and the boat, several other items were also spotted at the site. The cave contained 63 beads in total, as well as orpiment, a pigment that is typically used in Turkey for decoration. Amongst the beads, some were traced back to faraway places like Baghdad. Experts speculate that the items came to Iceland through trade routes. Past examinations have showcased that the Viking Empire and Islamic countries had deep ties with each other. Islamic coins have been unearthed from various Viking graves over the years.
Based on the value of the objects found in the cave, the study asserted that the rituals were possibly conducted by the elites of the society. The group probably believed that the object would appease Surtr and prevent the fight, which, as per their religious records, would end with the death of the gods.
Another possibility is that the items, as well as the sacrifices, were done to strengthen Freyr, the fertility god, according to Live Science. Considering the fact that animals reproduce in a fertile landscape, backs the claim that they could be used to increase Freyr's strength. Viking mythology claims that Freyr dies fighting Surtr. Hence, the community possibly provided sacrifices and goods to strengthen Freyr. Even though Christianity stopped the pagan rituals at the site, Icelandic people continued to associate the cave with the apocalypse. A local belief claims that Satan would arise from the cave on Judgement Day.