Researchers in the Journal of Archaeological Science published in April 2021 say Surtshellir Cave is near a volcano that erupted nearly 1,100 years ago. “The impact of this eruption must have been unsettling, presenting an existential challenge for the newly arrived Icelandic settlers,” the study reads as quoted by SINDOnews from the arkeonews page, Tuesday (21/12/2021).
Archaeological research shows that after the lava cooled, the Vikings entered the cave and built boat-shaped structures out of rock. As a sacrifice, the Vikings would burn the bones of animals, such as sheep, goats, cows, horses, and pigs, at high temperatures inside these structures. (Read also; The Vikings Were Eliminated Due To Climate Change )
It is possible that this was done to avoid Ragnarok in Norse mythology. Ragnarök or the destiny of the gods, is a passage about the battle at the end of the world. The meaning of this battle is not only the battle between gods, giants, and monsters, but also involves the entire universe. From this battle many gods died
“The world will end when Surtr, an element present at the creation of the world, will kill the last god in the battle of Ragnarök and then devour the world in fire,” the researchers wrote. (Read also; 11 Luxury Apocalypse Bunkers, Some Have Golf Courses and Gyms )
Another theory that the Vikings made sacrifices and placed artifacts on ships is that they were trying to strengthen Freyr, the god of peace and fertility who fought Surtr. (Read also; Crescent Shaped, 1000 Year Old Gold Earrings of the Viking King Makes You Curious )
Archaeologists are confused as to why valuable items from the Middle East were left in the cave. The Vikings traveled as far as the Middle East, and these goods may have reached Iceland via trade routes.
The Icelanders became Christians about 1,000 years ago and they soon stopped storing objects in caves. However, there are still those who associate the cave with the end of the world. One of the Icelandic traditions regards the cave as “the place where Satan will appear on Judgment Day”.
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