14 October 2019

Snowshoe for a horse


Found at 2000m altitude in Norway during rescue archaeology in melting snowfields.  The snowshoe dates to the Viking or Medieval period.  Truly remarkable preservation, but needs conservation because if left untended it would dry out and crumble.

Credit Secrets of the Ice, via The Rescue Mission to Save Civilization From the Big Melt.

5 comments:

  1. Is that scale wrong ?
    It is showing that 'snow shoe' to be 3 metres across.
    Maybe I'm reading it wrong.

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    Replies
    1. I was confused too. Had to do some searching. Found this -

      "What's up with the scale ruler? Is the whole ruler 50cm long?

      Correct, each of those colored blocks on the left is 5cm, and the individual blocks are 1cm, the larger blocks on the right are 10cm.

      Super confusing ruler if you ask me, but it looks pretty standard for forensics and archaeology."

      Delete
  2. I don't understand how that would work, the diameter of the material looks too fragile to bear the weight of a horse and the hoof would cut the rope quite quickly unless I'm missing something, It seems more likely to be something else to me.

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    Replies
    1. I asked Mr. Google...

      https://www.snowshoemag.com/2015/10/03/snowshoes-for-more-weighty-creatures/

      https://www.hhhistory.com/2019/02/horses-wearing-snowshoes.html

      https://www.inkwellinspirations.com/2013/01/early-snowshoes-for-man-and-beast.html

      Delete
  3. i wonder if the horse snowshoes were also 'anti-slip' - the rough underside aiding with traction?

    I-)

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