In 1916, during upgrades to a road leading to Fausland farm on Hitra Island, construction workers stumbled upon an unexpected find amidst the sand and gravel from Barmfjorden’s shoreline – human bones.

The NTNU University Museum has recreated the Hitra man. The model of the Hitra man was created by Thomas Foldberg. Credit: Åge Hojem / NTNU University Museum

These remains, belonging to a man approximately 25 years old, date back to the very end of the Stone Age, about 4,000 years ago. The sea level at the time was significantly higher, with the discovery site submerged under 4 meters of water.

Led by archaeologist Birgitte Skar from the NTNU University Museum, researchers have meticulously analyzed the remains, uncovering clues about the individual’s potential occupation and the societal dynamics of his era. Alongside the bones, artifacts including a dagger and an arm guard were discovered, hinting at the possibility that the Hitra man was a warrior.

Birgitte Skar suggests the man likely drowned, given the preservation of parts of his skeleton covered in shell sand on the seabed shortly after his death. Skar acknowledges uncertainty about whether his death resulted from combat or accident but notes the turbulent period he lived in.

Bone remains of the Hitra man. Credit: Ole Bjørn Pedersen

Before the Hitra man’s time, Norway saw a shift from hunter-gatherer to agricultural societies, particularly in central, western, and northern regions. Skar speculates that migrating peoples introduced agriculture, potentially leading to conflicts with existing inhabitants seeking land. These newcomers brought advanced knowledge of animal husbandry and farming, as well as different societal structures, religions, and connections with Europe.

The Hitra man’s reconstruction, based on skeletal measurements and DNA analyses of similar individuals, estimates his height at 169 cm with fair hair and blue eyes. Ongoing research includes DNA analysis at the Lundbeck Foundation Center for Geogenetics, and isotope analysis at NTNU University Museum, offering insights into his diet and potential migration patterns.

Despite being discovered in a coastal area, the Hitra man’s diet predominantly consisted of terrestrial foods, challenging ᴀssumptions about the reliance on seafood in coastal communities.

More information: The NTNU University Museum