3dGameMan
12-05-2004, 10:10 AM
Viking discovery spurs big bill: ~source (http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article826737.ece)
A landowner in Nord-Trøndelag is regretting the day he reported finding the remains of a Viking-era pier to the authorities. That's because he's now being ordered to help cover excavation costs.
Steinar Østerlie found the remains of a 1,000-year-old pier when he started building a small boat harbour off land he owns in the coastal community of Frosta.
At first, reports local newspaper Adresseavisen, the timber Østerlie found set off great jubilation. Experts believe it was part of a ferry terminal built for high-ranking men in Viking times.
Østerlie's excitement over the discovery quickly cooled, however, when he was ordered to pay NOK 100,000 (about USD 14,000) to secure the area.
He protested the big bill and won a partial reprieve, only to be told he'd need to pay NOK 40,000 instead as the landowner's contribution towards excavation costs.
Østerlie thinks that's unfair, and will discourage others from reporting archaeological discoveries.
"With bills like this, no one is going to report finding anything historical," he fumes. "Given my own experience, I would almost advise folks to keep such discoveries to themselves."
He's launching a final appeal to Norway's state environmental agency, in an effort to get the NOK 40,000 bill withdrawn.
A landowner in Nord-Trøndelag is regretting the day he reported finding the remains of a Viking-era pier to the authorities. That's because he's now being ordered to help cover excavation costs.
Steinar Østerlie found the remains of a 1,000-year-old pier when he started building a small boat harbour off land he owns in the coastal community of Frosta.
At first, reports local newspaper Adresseavisen, the timber Østerlie found set off great jubilation. Experts believe it was part of a ferry terminal built for high-ranking men in Viking times.
Østerlie's excitement over the discovery quickly cooled, however, when he was ordered to pay NOK 100,000 (about USD 14,000) to secure the area.
He protested the big bill and won a partial reprieve, only to be told he'd need to pay NOK 40,000 instead as the landowner's contribution towards excavation costs.
Østerlie thinks that's unfair, and will discourage others from reporting archaeological discoveries.
"With bills like this, no one is going to report finding anything historical," he fumes. "Given my own experience, I would almost advise folks to keep such discoveries to themselves."
He's launching a final appeal to Norway's state environmental agency, in an effort to get the NOK 40,000 bill withdrawn.