Museum exhibit in Norway reveals new details on Neanderthals phys.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from phys.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Year 872 BC, Hoddøya, an island in the Namsen Fjord in Central Norway: A tall man with long gray hair wearing a bear claw necklace is standing in the middle of a circle surrounded by people. In his right hand he holds a large and beautifully decorated spear sparkling in gold when it is hit by the sun.
Stave churches were once common throughout northern and north-western Europe. Now, with a few exceptions, these medieval wood constructions are only found in Norway.
Surviving stave churches mostly date from 1150-1350 or so we thought. According to a new analysis, though, they may be a bit older than previously believed.
Normally, the age of wooden churches is measured from the analysis of individual logs. Cores are taken from logs and dated by tree rings, which are compared to already dated technology. This technique, which is called dendrochronology, is invasive, however, and not recommendable in some of the very old churches. It also has some limitations in terms of accuracy which is why researchers are now trying out a new approach.