Roofs of sod have sheltered mainland Scandinavians through countless winters and summers. But those who migrated from Norway"s grass-roof log cabins to this Icelandic tundra in the 9th century found none of the rich timberland of their homeland—just wispy birch forests and grassy fields. To survive the cold, they took the old turf roof concept and built on it, encasing not only the roofs but the walls of their birch-framed homes in layers of living, insulating soil.
Tough turf
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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World Philosophy Day
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A polar bear near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
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An iris garden in Tokyo, Japan
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Happy trails for the 21st century
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International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem
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European fallow deer in England
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A little bit of Wonderland in New York City
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Black History Month
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Endangered Species Act
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World Rivers Day
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Wheels up in Beijing
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Central Highlands of Vietnam
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Sunrise at Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
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Pollinator Week
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Mossy Grotto Falls, Oregon
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Fighting evil with costumes
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Grand Teton National Park
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Happy Pi Day!
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International Polar Bear Day
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The Aomori Nebuta Festival parade, Japan
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Ocean City, Maryland, at sunrise
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Hemakuta Hill, Hampi, India
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Manatee Awareness Month
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Happy Birthday, Eiffel Tower
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Burchells zebras for International Zebra Day
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Christmas Eve
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Arrone in Umbria, Italy
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A legend and a legendary home
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You won’t see this on Mulberry Street
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The lemurs of Madagascar
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

