Archaeologists working in the high-altitude regions of Jotunheimen, Norway, have recovered a series of remarkably preserved juniper-woven sun-masks dating back over 3,000 years. These artifacts were found within a ritual cache tucked into a glacial crevice, alongside the remains of ceremonial birch-tar torches and charred animal bones, suggesting a long-standing tradition of mountaintop solstice celebrations.
The masks feature intricate weaving patterns that mimic the radiating rays of the sun, and isotopic analysis of the surrounding debris indicates that they were used during a single, massive communal event. Researchers believe this discovery provides the first physical evidence linking modern Scandinavian midsummer traditions to Bronze Age rituals aimed at welcoming the return of the sun to the highest peaks.