Fragments of a skull that could be part of a Stone Age burial ground were recently found in the extensive archeological excavations at Nyhamna. The excavations are being carried out in connection with the onshore processing plant project for gas from the Ormen Lange field.
"We're pleased that the archeologists have found interesting objects and that their efforts have been worthwhile. However this will not affect the progress of the onshore processing plant," says information manager Vegar Stokset.The find was made in the area where the glycol tank will rise up towards Steghaugene to the east of the plant.
The Science Museum at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology has rigged up a tent at the site, and plans to have completed the excavation by Easter.
Stepping up the investigation
Project manager Hein Bjerck from the Science Museum says the find is interesting.
"We are intensifying our studies of these possible burial grounds and the nearby homesteads, and we will conclude this work just after Easter," he says.
The Science Museum's field studies started on 14 May 2003, and have engaged nearly 60 archeologists at one point on the excavations at Nyhamna.
The excavations continued under cover through the winter. A field laboratory has also been set up to process the large amount of finds.
The Ormen Lange licence is paying for the archeological work at Nyhamna within a frame of NOK 70 million.
The Science Museum's last open day at Nyhamna on Thursday 25 March attracted as many as 700 people.
See also:
| The Science Museum: Archaeological excavations - Ormen Lange | |
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| The Ormen Lange website |