Fjord fishing in Mesolithic Western Norway |
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Authors: | Kenneth Ritchie Anne Karin Hufthammer Knut Andreas Bergsvik |
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Institution: | 1. Center for Baltic and Scandinavian Archaeology, Schloss Gottorf, D-24837 Schleswig, Germanykcritchie@hotmail.com;3. Department of Natural History, University Museum of Bergen, N-5020 Bergen, Norway;4. Department of Archaeology, University Museum of Bergen, N-5020 Bergen, Norway |
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Abstract: | Recent excavations at two rockshelters (Olsteinhelleren and Sævarhelleren) on the Hardanger fjord in Western Norway have provided an unparalleled opportunity to examine the Mesolithic subsistence economy of this region. Thousands of fish remains (as well as numerous mammal and bird bones) have been analysed from these assemblages. Results show that the fishery was dominated by gadids, but labrids and salmonids were also important. Many other fish were present in small quantities, including the first specimen of sturgeon from the Stone Age of Norway. The transition to a more specialised fishery at the younger site, Olsteinhelleren, may be a reflection of a switch to the use of this locality as a logistic camp for the targeting of gadid fish. |
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Keywords: | Norway Fishing Mesolithic Rockshelters Sturgeon Gadids Fishhooks |
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