Excavation in Oslo Reveals Thousands of Leather Artifacts

Archaeologists in Oslo have uncovered a treasure trove of leather artifacts that shed light on the city’s medieval history and the fashion of its inhabitants.

Recently, these findings were shared by the Norwegian Maritime Museum, with contributions from the Norwegian Institute of Cultural Heritage. Excavations took place in the Bjorvika port district during the winter and spring months.

Bjørvika was previously submerged during the medieval era, but over time, land reclamation transformed it into dry ground. Researchers had some expectations for significant discoveries, but the sheer volume of leather artifacts found was quite surprising.

Archaeologist Marja-Liisa P. Grue from the Maritime Museum noted that they uncovered approximately 2,900 objects, out of which around 2,700 were leather items. “We also found about 3,000 bones, primarily food waste,” she explained. “While examining certain layers, we were consistently discovering bones alongside leather fragments.”

Finding preserved leather is exceptional, as the material is prone to rapid degradation. Experts attribute the survival of these artifacts to the clay soils beneath Oslo’s city center, which created an environment conducive to preservation.

“Once the leather objects settled at the seabed, they were quickly enveloped in a wet, low-oxygen environment for centuries,” Grue pointed out. “These conditions help prevent rot, resulting in exceptionally well-preserved items marked by decorations and numerous repairs.”

The excavation revealed leather goods dating back to the Middle Ages, as opposed to more recent periods. The upper layers included items from the 1900s, but instead of transitioning through the 1800s, archaeologists jumped straight into the medieval timeframe from the late 19th century.

“In our current excavation site, we can trace layers back to the second half of the 19th century, but artifacts typically date from the 13th to 15th centuries,” Grue added. “We’re now investigating why there seems to be a gap of about 400 years in this area, which we know was utilized for river access until at least the early 19th century.”

Oslo’s conditions, Grue noted, favor the preservation of a significant quantity of leather. “While it’s not rare to find well-preserved leather, especially in the older port districts, the sheer number of leather items we found in such a small area is greater than anticipated,” she stated.

Contrastingly, neighboring sites typically yield more ceramics with far fewer leather artifacts. The discoveries include decorated shoes, wallets, sword sheaths, and even bags—remarkably, medieval clothing didn’t have pockets.

“These artifacts provide insights into the city’s fashion of the time,” Grue remarked. “But what’s truly fascinating is the everyday items that reveal the lives and habits of regular people.”

Interestingly, out of all the shoes found, 68 were designed for children, offering rare insights into medieval childhood. “The child-sized shoes, some fitting a one-year-old, reflect adult styles but were often re-used for successive children,” Grue said.

This significant excavation aligns with similar discoveries in Scandinavia, including leather remnants found in Viking tombs that suggest a rich textile history.