A rare iron gauntlet, believed to have been lost by a medieval knight in the 14th century, was discovered at the old harbor of Oslo, Norway. Archaeologists from the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) found the gauntlet while conducting metal detection as part of an investigation of the old harbor.
The medieval iron gauntlet discovered at Bispekiva South in Oslo, after being excavated from the archaeological site. (Photo: Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research).
Oslo was established as a medieval city and harbor around 1050. However, in 1624, after a devastating fire ravaged the city, King Christian IV of Norway relocated Oslo across the bay. For many centuries thereafter, the development of the old harbor, including the construction of wharfs and warehouses, has continually expanded beyond the bay.
Archaeologists have conducted two major excavations at the old harbor area of Oslo, the first from 2019 to 2020 and the second from 2022 to 2023. According to archaeologist Håvard Hegdal of NIKU, their discoveries include numerous artifacts discarded from the medieval and Renaissance periods, such as shipwrecks, ceramics, footwear, ropes, remains of butchered animals, and a large quantity of weapons.
“The gauntlet was found about 40 meters from the harbor. Therefore, it could only have been dropped from a ship, although we have no reasonable explanation otherwise,” archaeologist Hegdal stated.
Typically made of iron, metal gauntlets, designed to protect the hands and wrists of individuals, were invented in the early 14th century when European soldiers and knights transitioned from chainmail to plate armor. However, archaeological discoveries of gauntlets are extremely rare due to the rapid corrosion of metal and its tendency to decompose in the ground, as well as the common practice of repurposing and reworking iron during the medieval period.
“The Oslo gauntlet may date back to the 14th century. It was found just below a widespread layer of blue clay in the area, likely resulting from a significant quick clay landslide that we have dated to around 1380. This gauntlet may be related to the landslide itself and the waves generated by the landslide. The gauntlet could have rusted and broken due to being forgotten and discarded,” Hegdal added.
Understanding medieval Oslo is quite complex. Much of Norway’s documentation was lost in a fire in 1728, and the medieval city laws of Oslo have not been preserved. However, NIKU’s archaeological excavation, expected to conclude in November this year, may shed more light on the medieval past of Oslo.
