“….While excavating near an old harbor in Oslo, archaeologists have uncovered thousands of pieces of preserved, waterlogged leather that are nearly 700 years old. The bags, purses, shoes and sword scabbards — all dated to around the 13th and 14th centuries — are revealing new information about everyday life in medieval Norway….”
Well, I can cope with finding a few score such items, but THOUSANDS? To be accurate, judging by the discoveries so far, it’s thought there will eventually be thousands. One thing’s sure, this archaeological dig is a treasure hoard of not just shoes, but bags, purses, sword scabbards, knife sheaths and other items as well.
In medieval times the site in question was the open water of a harbour at the mouth of the Alna River. It was reclaimed in 19th century and this is what has preserved all the leather goods that had previously found their way into the mud at the bottom of the harbour. Leather doesn’t decompose in such an oxygen-free environment. How and why quite so any items ended up there could be for any number of reasons, and it is fortunate that they did, because the amazing find is producing a lot of new information about medieval Oslo. You can read much more about it at this link https://www.yahoo.com/news/thousands-leather-shoes-bags-sword-100000057.html.
by viscountessw
The New Murrey and Blue blog 
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