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The Mesolithic Hunter–Gatherer Camp Site at Sammakko in Norrbotten, Northernmost Sweden—Archeological Finds and Palaeoenvironmental Reconstruction

Bibliographic Data

ID6425618
AuthorsPer Möller (0000-0001-5365-2668, Department of Geology/Quaternary Sciences Lund University Lund Sweden, corresponding author), Frida Palmbo (County Museum of Norrbotten Luleå Sweden), Anne Birgitta Nielsen (0000-0001-7854-353X, Lund University), Anne Birgitte Nielsen (Department of Geology/Quaternary Sciences Lund University Lund Sweden), Emma Boman (County Museum of Norrbotten Luleå Sweden), Haoran Dong (0000-0002-8847-4002, Key Laboratory of Western China's Environmental Science (Ministry of Education) College of Earth and Environmental Science, Lanzhou University Lanzhou China), Svante Björck (0000-0001-8824-9000, Department of Geology/Quaternary Sciences Lund University Lund Sweden), Yuanyang Cai (0000-0003-1231-3111, State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Resources and Environment (TPESRE) Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China), Jannica Grimbe (County Museum of Norrbotten Luleå Sweden), Ruairidh Macleod (0000-0001-8086-4420, Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge UK), Miaogen Shen (0000-0001-5742-8807, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Mingjian Shen (State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Resources and Environment (TPESRE) Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China), Yucheng Wang (0000-0002-7755-228X, State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Resources and Environment (TPESRE) Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China), Mica Westerlund (County Museum of Norrbotten Luleå Sweden), Zhe Xue (0000-0001-6123-0043, Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge UK)
Year2024
Volume40
Issue1
Publication date2024-12-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGeoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0883-6353 • E-ISSN: 1520-6548
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/gea.22030
OpenAlexW4404991697
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited56

A small Mesolithic camp site near Sammakko in northernmost Sweden has been identified through its abundance of burnt bone and quartz refuse from stone tool manufacturing/maintenance. Radiocarbon dating places hunter–gatherer activity here around 8900 years ago, 1800 years later than the oldest known settlement in Norrbotten, the Aareavaara site. Sediment stratigraphy in nearby lake basins suggests that the final melting of stagnant ice, trapped in the undulating Veiki‐moraine landscape, occurred around 9200 years ago. Initially, after deglaciation, the area was covered with arctic heath, transitioning to an open birch forest by 9100 years ago. At the time of the Sammakko settlers, it was an open birch forest with elements of pine, and various dwarf shrubs, including dwarf birch, willow, and juniper. Grasses, sedges, and various herbs in the semi‐open grounds were also common. The settlers primarily relied on reindeer, as indicated by burnt bones, with supplementary food sources such as pike and birds. Stalking was likely the main hunting method, possibly aided by dogs. Potential dog gnaw marks on bones suggest early domestication. The site functioned as a temporary hunting station, probably used only during snow‐free months

Archaeology · Geography · Hunter-gatherer · Mesolithic · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Geology and Paleoclimatology Research · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Geology

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Unique citing works1
Citations per year1
Citation span2026 - 2026 (1)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 1
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