Archaeology breakthrough as 1,300-year-old object found in 'perfect condition'

Archaeologists after they discovered a unique object that has been buried under the ice for an incredible 1,300 years. The ski, carved from birch wood, was amazingly found in perfect condition.

The artefact was unearthed alongside its complementary ski, discovered seven years earlier just five metres away. Despite being constructed from different woods both were dated using radiocarbon techniques and suggest joint use. The skis are a pair, lost together for over a millennium. Lars Holger Pilø, co-director of the Secrets of the Ice project, said: "This is the best-preserved pair of prehistoric skis known."

Lars said their condition allows for functional replicas to be created and allows the study of winter travel techniques in mountainous areas during the first millennium.

The ski is 187 centimetres long and 17 centimetres wide, 17 centimetres longer and two centimetres wider than the first ski found.

Both skis have a hole through the tip, Secrets of the Ice project says there are subtle differences in the carvings at the front of the skis. The back end of the new ski is pointed, while the back end of the other ski is straight.

The site of the discovery, known as Digervarden, dates back to between 535 and 660 AD. According to Lars, "when agriculture became unviable at high altitudes, communities intensified reindeer hunting."

Archaeologists also pieces of twisted birch close to the new ski which may belong to the binding.

Part of the leather strap of the heel binding of the ski had come off but it lay on the ground close by.

Why these ski's are here is unknown it could be because there was an accident. It could be the skier fell or perhaps the skier left the skis behind. A sudden snowfall could have also buried them beyond recovery.

Archaeologists use satellite images and drones to locate points with the greatest potential for discovery.