"The newly discovered underwater archaeological site is very unusual," stated Elling Utvik Wammer, a marine archaeologist at the Norwegian Maritime Museum, who led the investigation.
Uncovering the Underwater Barrier
The research team, braving the cold January waters and breaking through ice to dive, utilized advanced sonar mapping and photogrammetry to document the site. They discovered a distinct belt of stones stretching over 25 meters (82 feet) long and up to 9 meters (29.5 feet) wide across the strait. The stones were carefully laid, partially on top of one another, clearly indicating human construction.
Alongside the stone belt, divers also found a mysterious circular mound of rocks measuring 15 meters (49 feet) across and 4 meters (13 feet) tall. Researchers believe this mound represents an 18th-century attempt to fill in the strait, a project eventually abandoned due to the sheer amount of labor and rock required.
"What's surprising is the sheer amount of rock. They must have brought boats to the site and dumped stones over the side," said Wammer.
The stone belt itself is thought to be the foundation of a barrier used to block the strait. Historical records from the 1500s describe a permanent gate made of timber, rope, and stones that once stood in this exact location. The barrier's purpose was singular: to trap whales that had been driven into the bay.
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The strait in Telavåg. The inlet is divided by a small islet called Stekholmen. (Christopher F. Kvæstad / IRMAS)
The Brutal Reality of Medieval Whaling
The practice of trapping whales in narrow inlets is deeply rooted in Norwegian history. It is even mentioned in the Gulating Law, the oldest known Norwegian provincial law dating back to the 900s AD, which applied to Western Norway. The discovery at Telavåg provides physical confirmation of these ancient legal texts, making it a uniquely significant find.
When a whale, often a minke whale, was spotted entering the bay, the local community sprang into action. The first priority was to close the barrier, trapping the massive animal inside. What followed was a grueling and archaic form of hunting in which people from the entire village participated.
"After that, they began to shoot the whales with crossbows and arrows infected with bacteria from spoiled meat," explained Wammer. This method was designed to weaken the whale over time. Once exhausted, the animal was harpooned and hauled to shore by dozens of men in rowing boats.
This process was far from quick. Eyewitness accounts from the late 19th century in nearby Skogsvågen describe a brutal scene where harpoons were frequently torn out, and wounded whales could swim around the bay for several days before finally succumbing. While this seems cruel by modern standards, Wammer notes that attempting to quickly harpoon and kill a large whale from small, fragile wooden boats would have been incredibly dangerous for the hunters.
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Whaling with a crossbow in Skogsvågen. (Photo: Unknown photographer. Published in an article in Naturen 1887 vol. 11 / University of Bergen Library) Science Norway
Deep Historical Roots and Rituals
The importance of whaling to these coastal communities cannot be overstated. The sheer effort required to build and maintain the trapping barrier at Grindasundet reflects the immense value of the catch. Whale meat, blubber, and bone were vital resources that sustained the population through harsh winters. After being killed, the whales were butchered at Kvalvollen within a rock-lined enclosure, and the meat was divided among everyone who took part according to a complex system with many rules.
Furthermore, the hunting practices were steeped in ritual. According to Wammer;
"For instance, the whale's eyes were removed and thrown back into the water. This was believed to ensure that future generations of whales would find their way back into the bay". This suggests the tradition may have roots stretching far back into prehistory.
Photogrammetry/oblique photo of the rock structures that were discovered. The mound is on the left and the stone belt is on the right. (Christopher F. Kvæstad, 3D model: Beatrice Frabetti / IRMAS/ Science Norway)
While the barrier at Telavåg is explicitly mentioned in 16th-century sources, the practice of trapping whales there likely began much earlier. During the Middle Ages, the Nonneseter Monastery in Bergen held the rights to the bay, and the lucrative whaling operation may have been a primary reason for their interest. The research team plans to return to the region in June for further underwater fieldwork, hoping to uncover more secrets of ancient coastal hunting and trapping installations. This rare discovery not only illuminates the ingenuity of medieval coastal communities but also provides a sobering look at their survival strategies.
Top image: Marine archaeologist Christopher F. Kvæstad documents the stone belt in Grindasundet, Norway. Source: Anders Schouw / IRMAS / Science Norway
By Gary Manners
References
Kjørstad, E. 2026. Large, man-made belt of stones discovered underwater in Norway: "Very unusual". Science Norway. Available at: https://www.sciencenorway.no/archaeology-culture-hunting/large-man-made-belt-of-stones-discovered-underwater-in-norway-very-unusual/2628978
