1. |
- Kjällquist, Mathilda, et al.
(author)
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Mesolithic mobility and social contact networks in south Scandinavia around 7000 BCE : Lithic raw materials and isotopic proveniencing of human remains from Norje Sunnansund, Sweden
- 2019
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In: Journal of Anthropological Archaeology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0278-4165 .- 1090-2686. ; 53, s. 186-201
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recent research provides new perspectives on large-scale Early Holocene human interaction within Eurasia, based on ancient DNA or lithic technology. But the extent of regional human mobility is not well known. In this study, we combined two different approaches to investigate regional mobility and social networks in southern Scandinavia. We analyzed strontium isotopes in human teeth and regional lithic raw material use and technology from a Mesolithic site, Norje Sunnansund in southern Sweden (7000 BCE). The lithic raw material composition at the site, and previous archaeological studies, indicated that the inhabitants mainly had utilized an area stretching 30 km southward. The isotopic analysis indicated that at least half of the analyzed individuals had a non-local origin, based on the local isotope signature, but that possibly only a few individuals originated outside the area defined by lithic acquisition. Those few isotopic values and the presence of lithic material as non-local flint and East Swedish microblade-cores in quartz, suggested that people also traveled far, but probably more sporadically. The combined analyzes revealed the complexity of late Boreal hunter-gatherers in South Scandinavia - although some groups appear to have had a limited geographical mobility, contact networks seem to have stretched over long distances.
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2. |
- Salmi, Anna-Kaisa, et al.
(author)
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Animal offerings at the Sámi offering site of Unna Saiva : changing religious practices and human-animal relationships
- 2015
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In: Journal of Anthropological Archaeology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0278-4165 .- 1090-2686. ; 40, s. 10-22
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Unna Saiva is a Sámi offering site situated in Gällivare in Northern Sweden. The site was excavated in the early 20th century. It yielded a large number of finds, including objects of silver, pewter and other metals, coins, and animal bones. The metal objects and coins date mainly to the late 10th century and 11th century AD, whereas the animal bone finds date from the 6th to the 17th centuries AD. Zooarchaeological analysis, radiocarbon datings of animal bones and stable isotope analyses conducted in this study reveal new information about religious ritual, religious change, and human–animal relationships among the Sámi. We argue that there was a change in the offering tradition, intertwining with changes in the subsistence economy and especially reindeer domestication. Our results indicate that reindeer domestication, acknowledged to have had a major impact on social organization and economy, was also a major factor in the transformation of Sámi indigenous religion. However, the underlying nature of the offering tradition remained consistent although the focal species of economic and religious interest changed.
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3. |
- Gustin, Ingrid, et al.
(author)
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Isotopes and Human Burials at Viking Age Birka and the Mälaren Region, East Central Sweden
- 2017
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In: Journal of Anthropological Archaeology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0278-4165. ; 49 (2018), s. 19-38
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Isotopic proveniencing has been applied to human inhumations and cremations as well as fauna from the Viking Age site of Birka and the surrounding Mälaren region, located in east-central Sweden. Human enamel frominhumations has been measured for strontium, oxygen, and carbon isotope ratios (petrous bone from cremations was measured for strontium only) to obtain information on mobility and diet. Seven graves from the larger Mälaren region and several at Birka had distinctive grave goods thought to have originated in Finland. The isotopic values from these graves indicate that they may have been local individuals. The faunal remains from the Mälaren region corresponded closely with samples from Birka providing a baseline for strontium isotopic ratios in this area. At the site of Birka, two distinct groups of burials can be identified among the measured values, along with several outliers. The data suggest that Birka was a multi-ethnic settlement in the Viking period, consistent with historical sources and concomitant with its role as an important center of economy and trade on the east coast of Sweden.
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