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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‘Think equal, build smart, innovate for change’
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We re gonna need a bigger birdhouse
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Cherry blossom season in Tokyo
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San Francisco’s City Hall illuminated by the iconic colors of Pride
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Fall comes to the Last Frontier
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A hint of spring
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Road-trip worthy attraction in the heartland
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A dramatic view of Sicily
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Staring down winter
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Travel Sunday: On the Ganges in Varanasi, India
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Gamboa Crater, Mars
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Design for Each and All
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Manhattan
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Our Lady of the Rocks
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World Meteorological Day
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To the 155th on the 155th
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Fin whales: A success story
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National Lighthouse Day
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Mount Rainier National Park
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Tom Turkey takes Manhattan
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Monarch butterflies migrate south
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San Francisco Bay salt flats
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Sitka shines on Alaska Day
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Laguna de Torrevieja, Spain
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First day of summer
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Big Bend National Park anniversary
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Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Australia
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A path to access
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Celebrating Take Your Dog to Work Day
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World Penguin Day
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

