Thing Sites: Mikkelfjellet 1 Traditional Geocache
Thing Sites: Mikkelfjellet 1
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A traditional lock'n'lock box with space for logbook, pencil and small swappable items.
Thing sites, from the Old Norse Þing, are the early assemblies found throughout Northern Europe as a result of our shared Norse heritage.
When the Vikings and early Norse settlers arrived in a new place they brought with them their customs and legal systems. Political decisions were made at the thing, laws upheld and disputes settled. Proceedings were overseen by the local ruler and the law-speaker (judge), whose job was to memorise and recite the law. At some things, known as Althings, any free man was entitled to vote. At others - Lawthings - the crown and local communities acted together to interpret the law.
The thing was also a focus for religious activity, as well as trade and exchange. At Thingvellir in Iceland you can still see the remains of the booths, or huts, where traders came to do business with people attending the meeting.
The thing system for sharing and legislating power can still be recognised today. Several things continue to be active. The Icelandic parliament is still known as the Althing, the Norwegian parliament is called the Storting and the Faroese parliament goes by the name of Løgting. The Manx parliament, known as Tynwald, still holds a midsummer court on the thing mound at Tynwald Hill every year.
There are Thing Sites caches in and around the locations of Norse and Viking assembly sites in Norway, Iceland, The Faroe Islands, Orkney, Shetland, Highland Scotland, and the Isle of Man. Follow in the footsteps of the Vikings, and explore some of these fascinating sites.
This cache has fantastic views over Eivindvik, thought to be the site of the early thing before it moved to Flolid, near the location of the Gulatinget Millennium Park today.
Gulatinget Millennium Park is a symbolic thing site opened in 2005 to commemorate the annual parliamentary assembly which took place in Gulen from approximately 900-1300 AD. The park features monumental artworks by sculptor Bard Breivik.
Gulatinget was one of the oldest and largest parliamentary assemblies in Norway, thought to have been established in Gulen by King Harald Fairhair (c 872-932). Farmers came here to meet the king, discuss political matters, pass legislation and judge cases.
It was originally an althing, an assembly where ‘all free men fit to bear arms’ had the right to participate. Later, as its administrative area expanded, it became a lawthing, or super regional assembly. Each region appointed representatives for the assembly; a model which is still in use today.
There is a relatively steep climb from Krossteigen to approx 250 m.a.s (3), but nice , well marked trail. Follow the red marks in the trees. Take the trail to Høgefjellet, Kjerringnova or down again to Vassverket.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Uvqqra haqre n ebbg