Bear-Leather Shoes and Roman Coins: The Lost Worlds Emerging from Melting Glaciers

As glaciers and ice patches retreat due to global warming, they reveal long-forgotten stories from our past—offering glimpses into human skill, faith, adventure, and even deadly conflict. The melting ice is unlocking a treasure trove of ancient artifacts, some of which have been frozen for thousands of years.

One of the most famous finds is that of Ötzi, the 5,000-year-old "Iceman," who was discovered in the Ötztal Alps on the border of Italy and Austria. Ötzi, a tattooed man in his 40s, was wearing a striped goat-fur coat, a bear-fur cap, and bear-leather shoes when he was struck by an arrow. His body, along with his belongings, was preserved in the ice until his discovery in 1991. The circumstances of his death remain a mystery, but his remains have provided invaluable insight into ancient human life.

Glacial Archaeology: A New Scientific Field

The study of ancient artifacts and remains emerging from glaciers has led to the development of a new field of research known as "glacial archaeology." This discipline focuses on uncovering the frozen remnants of human life—tools, weapons, clothing, and even coins—hidden within glaciers for centuries or millennia. 

According to Thomas Reitmaier, an archaeologist and director of the archaeological service of the Canton of Grisons in Switzerland, glaciers have always trapped and preserved objects, only to reveal them once the ice retreats. As the pace of global warming accelerates, these discoveries are becoming more frequent and more diverse, shedding light on thousands of years of history.

A Window into Human Ingenuity and Survival

The melting glaciers are revealing evidence of human ingenuity and survival in the Alps, where people have crossed dangerous ridges and high passes for thousands of years. Among the artifacts uncovered are the world’s oldest snowshoes, dating back almost 6,000 years, and Roman coins sacrificed to mountain gods by travelers hoping for protection during perilous Alpine crossings. These items demonstrate the resourcefulness of those who lived in and traversed these harsh landscapes.

In addition to these technical innovations, the finds include glimpses of spiritual practices—such as Roman offerings to gods before attempting risky crossings—showing that the mountains were viewed not only as physical obstacles but as places of divine power.

The Rapid Warming of the Alps and Its Consequences

The European Alps are warming at a rate twice the global average since the late 19th century. The rapid melting of glaciers accelerates this process, as snow and ice, which once reflected sunlight, are replaced by rock and vegetation, absorbing more heat. This creates a feedback loop that further contributes to climate change. As a result, the Alps are seeing increasingly rapid ice melt, which in turn exposes artifacts and human remains that have been preserved for centuries.

The Stories of the Forgotten and the Fleeing

Some of the most poignant discoveries are relatively recent. In the 17th century, a woman in her 20s, dressed in mismatched shoes and a man’s coat, attempted to cross a glacier in Switzerland. She carried a wooden bowl, spoon, and rosary. Tragically, she fell to her death and was buried in the ice, only to be uncovered in the late 1980s, nearly 400 years later. This discovery highlights the constant human presence in these alpine regions and the perilous journeys that have taken place for centuries.

The Continuity of Travel Routes Through the Ages

The emerging finds also suggest that the Alps have long been an essential travel corridor. In 2003, a heatwave exposed thousands of years of human activity on the Schnidejoch ridge in Switzerland. Objects from as early as 4800 BC, through the Middle Ages, and up to modern times, were discovered along the ridge. This continuous line of human activity shows how these mountain passes remained vital routes for trade, migration, and exploration until the construction of modern roads, railways, and tunnels.

The Impact of Climate Change on Archaeology

As glaciers continue to recede, they reveal more than just ancient objects—they unveil the complex relationships between humans and the environment. The ongoing thawing of the Alps underscores the urgent need to address climate change, which is not only reshaping the planet’s landscapes but also eroding its historical records. While the discoveries are extraordinary, they also serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of global warming.