Extra Credit: Tree "Mummies" Found, Traced Back to Viking Era

Scientists discovered "mummified" trees in Southwestern Norway that date back to the early 1200's. these 40 dead Scotch pines were found scatterd around living trees, which was once a dense forest that supplied wood for medieval boats and churches. Somehow, these trees never rotted. They are different from normal petrified wood. There were two reasons for why the trees were maintained: many of the trees had neither stayed upright or fallen on rocks, staying away from exposure to the ground, water, and soil microbes that aid in decay. Another reason is that pines are full of resin, which make it more resistent to bacteria. Large amounts could have been released to help delay decay. Studies conducted by researchers showed that these trees matched the wood of churches built in a Viking town. This discovery has left scientists astounded.

Out of the ordinary discoveries like this one can help lead to more things down the road. I like this because it pertained to our study of how things are decomposed and put back into the soil. I didn't know that trees secrete resin to help prevent decay. That would help explain a lot on how forests rebuild themselves. It interests me when things of old age are found because I always want to learn more about their history.







http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/pf/23894817.html