Sølbjerg

Facts

Prime Ice-Age hunting spot

By Anders Fischer, Arkæolog, Ph. D. (11 stories)

At 12 metres above the present sea level, Sølbjerg hill is one of the highest points on south-western Lolland. This hill and its nearby surroundings are also special for a different reason. This is one of the areas in Denmark with the highest concentration of flint tools from the last millenniums of the Ice Age. In particular, many finds, including arrowheads, have been found from the coldest period (the Hamburg and Ahrensburg Cultures), which was the height of the reindeer hunting period here in Denmark.

Partly a public place

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Where reindeer hunters lay in wait

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Story written by Anders Fischer

Time / Periode -12000 -9000

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Why are there unusually many Ice Age relics in the area near Sølbjerg on Lolland? From the top of Sølbjerg, hunters could see far out over the treeless tundra landscape. They could easily see herds of reindeer approaching and had time to prepare an attack. South of Sølvbjerg, a ridge once crossed the area that is now covered by the Baltic Sea. On their long migrations in the spring and autumn, herds of reindeer probably crossed this ridge. These migrations took them close to Sølbjerg. Migrating reindeer travel at a top speed of 70 kilometres an hour. The hill was flanked to the north by a long, shallow lake. From here, the hunters could ambush the herds where the passage over the water forced the animals to slow down.