Ancient fortress construction found

A section of a fortress constructed during the 1670s has been found in Norway, giving experts a rare look at something previously only seen in sketches.

The find is a casemate -- a vaulted chamber in a fortress, Aftenposten reported. The space was created by the supports for the outside wall, which at the same time is holding up a 15.7-inch-thick layer of timber that served as the floor for a cannon site.

The discovery is part of the original redoubt known as Vinger Skanse, built in the 1670s near Kongsvinger, a decade before being replaced by the fortress. The original casemate space was filled with earth.

Also discovered were a decorated ceramic platter believed from the 1600s, fragments of an ornamented and engraved mother of pearl glass and the remains of a glass bowl decorated with gold leaf, Aftenposten said.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International