
New Thoughts on Denmark’s Ancient Hjortspring Boat

Then, they used gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to determine that the caulk had likely been made of animal fat and pine pitch. At the time, there were very few pine forests in Denmark, or in northern Germany, where some scholars had previously suggested the boat had been built.

“We argue that this means the boat and its crew most likely came from further east along the shores of the Baltic Sea where pine forests were more abundant,” Fauvelle said. The examination also revealed a fingerprint on a tar fragment from the vessel. “It is great to have found a direct connection with one of the people who used this ancient boat,” Fauvelle added.

The study concluded that the invaders who traveled to Als in the boat were likely defeated, and their vessel was sunk in a bog by the victors. Read the original scholarly article about this research in PLOS One. To read about Viking ship burials, go to "Setting Sail for Valhalla."
News in the same category


Sardinian Bronze Figurines
When scholars study the great copper-producing powers of the Mediterranean Bronze Age, they often focus on Cyprus and the Levant.

Crete's Inner Circles
On the summit of Papoura Mountain in central Crete, archaeologists are investigating a highly unusual circular structure.

A Feminine Touch
he large Neolithic farming community of Çatalhöyük in southern Anatolia has long tantalized archaeologists as a possible example of a matriarchal society.

Celtic Gold Coins Found in Switzerland

Lost Spanish Mission Found in Texas

New Dates Obtained for Mammoth-Bone Structure in Ukraine
CHERKASY OBLAST, UKRAINE—SciNews reports that a new study of the bones of small animals recovered from Mezhyrich

Ancient Workshops and Necropolis Explored in Northern Egypt
Metal and stone tools, faience amulets, and limestone statues are thought to have been made in the other rooms in the building.

Olive Oil Production Hub Excavated in Turkey
Researchers say the findings indicate Syedra was not only a regional producer but one of the Mediterranean’s key suppliers in antiquity, challenging earlier assumptions about the city’s economic role.

The Palace Times
The Lydian palace was built on an artificial terrace in the capital city of Sardis.

Sculpture of a Fist
Statues of gods featured prominently throughout the ancient world, but many of those that are best known from literary evidence have never been found.

More From 2025's Top 10 Discoveries
Top 10 Discoveries of 2025

Hoards of the Vikings
The accepted image of the Vikings as fearsome marauders who struck terror in the hearts of their innocent victims has endured for more than 1,000 years.

Dressing for the Ages
Over the two-plus years Alice Stevenson has been curator of the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology in London, she has looked at the delicate cream-colored garment hundreds of times, wondering at both the fineness of its workmanship and its extraordina

This 2,800-Year-Old Stele Tells A Bible Story From A Different Point Of View
As soon as you fit the words “Bible” and “history” into the same sentence, people start reacting.

Zoroastrian Towers of Silence: Leaving the Dead for the Vultures
A tower of silence (known also as a ‘dakhma’) is a type of structure used for funerary purposes by adherents of the Zoroastrian faith.

The Walls of Benin: Four Times Longer Than The Great Wall of China!
The Kingdom of Benin was an important African kingdom that flourished between the 13th and 19th centuries AD.

Enki: The Epic Mesopotamian Water God Who Saved Humanity
In the belief system of the Sumerians, Enki (known also as Ea by the Akkadians and Babylonians) was regarded to be one of the most important deities.

Typing on Thin Air: How Wearable AI is Eliminating the Need for Physical Keyboards
Scientists have built an AI model that interprets tiny wrist and finger motions using wearable sensors.
News Post

Why Are Some Window Bars Curved at the Bottom?
Why Are Some Window Bars Curved at the Bottom?

Coconut Water Is Nutritious — but 6 Groups of People Should Avoid Drinking It
Coconut Water Is Nutritious — but 6 Groups of People Should Avoid Drinking It

3 Warning Signs on Your Hands That Could Indicate Liver Failure
3 Warning Signs on Your Hands That Could Indicate Liver Failure

Doctors Reveal What Really Happens When You Eat Bananas in the Evening
Bananas are among the most widely consumed fruits in the world, valued for their natural sweetness, convenience, and impressive nutritional profile. At first glance, one banana may seem no different from another. In reality, however, the stage of ripeness

If your private parts smell fishy, it’s something you should be aware of

Gyan Mudra Explained: Benefits, Scientific Insights, and Proper Practice
Gyan Mudra: Benefits, Science, and the Right Way to Practice

Brittle, Splitting Nails? Your Body Might Be Sending You a Warning
Brittle, Splitting Nails? Your Body Might Be Sending You a Warning

A Traditional Cloves and Garlic Remedy for Leg Pain, Joint Discomfort, and Varicose Veins
A Little-Known Natural Cloves and Garlic Remedy for Leg Pain, Arthritis, Rheumatism, and Varicose Veins

Evidence-Based Insights Into Oregano’s Health-Supporting Properties
Evidence-Based Insights Into Oregano’s Health-Supporting Properties

Be alert to 11 early signs of pancreatic canc.er that you should not ignore
Be alert to 11 early signs of pancreatic canc.er that you should not ignore

Why the time you bathe can impact str.oke and heart health?
This common bathing habit could affect your heart and blo.od pressure

If You Have High Blo:od Pressure, Str.ok.es or Varicose Veins, Start Doing These 5 Things
If You Have High Blo:od Pressure, Str.ok.es or Varicose Veins, Start Doing These 5 Things

What really happens when you stop eating sugar for 30 days?
One month without sugar: 7 surprising ways your body responds

Leg Numbness That Keeps Coming Back: Possible Causes You Need to Know
Leg Numbness That Keeps Coming Back: Possible Causes You Need to Know

9 Signs of Diabetes That Appear at Night — What You Should Know
Here are nine nighttime signs of diabetes you should never dismiss.

The Comfort Classic Everyone Loves: Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Copycat
Recreate Panera’s famous broccoli cheddar soup in your own kitchen

Doctor Warns About Signs of Transient Brain Ischemia: Don’t Ignore These Subtle Symptoms
Doctor Warns About Signs of Transient Brain Ischemia: Don’t Ignore These Subtle Symptoms

When He Doesn’t Appreciate You, Do This: The Hard Truth About Walking Away
The action implied is even blunter: walk away.

Doctors Warn: Don’t Ignore Tiny Red Dots on Your Skin
Small red dots on your skin may signal more than a simple rash