Ilse M Kamerling1,2,3, J Edward Schofield2, Kevin J Edwards2,3,4. 1. Department of Geology and Geophysics, School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, Meston Walk, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE UK. 2. Department of Geography and Environment, School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, Elphinstone Road, Aberdeen, AB24 3UF UK. 3. Department of Archaeology, School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, Elphinstone Road, Aberdeen, AB24 3UF UK. 4. McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research and Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Abstract
Analyses of high-resolution pollen data, coprophilous fungal spores, microscopic charcoal and sedimentology, combined with radiocarbon dating, allow the assessment of the impact of Sami and Nordic land use in the region surrounding the winter market town of Lycksele in northern Sweden. Such winter markets were established by the Crown during the seventeenth century AD to control the semi-nomadic movements of the Sami who traded here with Finnish settlers and were also taxed and educated. Little is known about Sami and Nordic co-existence beyond these market places, mainly due to a lack of archaeological evidence relating to Sami activity. Vegetation and land-use changes in the region between ~ AD 250 and 1825 reveal no signal for pre-seventeenth century agricultural activity, but the coprophilous fungal spore records suggest the increased regional presence of grazing herbivores (possibly reindeer) between ~ AD 800 and 1100. Sami activity in the parish of Lycksele has been suggested by rich metal finds dated to ~ AD 1000-1350 and they may have been attracted by an abundance of reindeer.
Analyses of high-resolution pollen data, coprophilous fungal spores, microscopic charcoal and sedimentology, combined with pan class="Chemical">radiocarbon dating, allow the assessment of the impact of Sami and Nordic land use in the region surrounding the winter market town of Lycksele in northern Sweden. Such winter markets were established by the Crown during the seventeenth century AD to control the semi-nomadic movements of the Sami who traded here with Finnish settlers and were also taxed and educated. Little is known about Sami and Nordic co-existence beyond these market places, mainly due to a lack of archaeological evidence relating to Sami activity. Vegetation and land-use changes in the region between ~ AD 250 and 1825 reveal no signal for pre-seventeenth century agricultural activity, but the coprophilous fungal spore records suggest the increased regional presence of grazing herbivores (possibly reindeer) between ~ AD 800 and 1100. Sami activity in the parish of Lycksele has been suggested by rich metal finds dated to ~ AD 1000-1350 and they may have been attracted by an abundance of reindeer.
Authors: Levi Yafetto; Loran Carroll; Yunluan Cui; Diana J Davis; Mark W F Fischer; Andrew C Henterly; Jordan D Kessler; Hayley A Kilroy; Jacob B Shidler; Jessica L Stolze-Rybczynski; Zachary Sugawara; Nicholas P Money Journal: PLoS One Date: 2008-09-17 Impact factor: 3.240