Antler Combs From the Salme Ship Burials

Find Context, Origin, Dating and Manufacture; Pp. 3–44

Datos Bibliográficos

ID12636458
AutoresHeidi Luik (0000-0003-3428-3451, Tallinn University, autor de correspondencia), Jüri Peets (Uppsala University), John Ljungkvist (0000-0003-3318-4574, Tallinn University), Liina Maldre (0000-0001-7522-3485, Tallinn University of Technology), Reet Maldre (Tallinn University), Raili Allmäe (0000-0001-6303-947X, Tallinn University), Mariana Muñoz-Rodriguez (Tallinn University), Krista Michelle Mcgrath (0000-0003-0692-1217, Tallinn University), Krista Mcgrath, Camilla Speller (0000-0001-7128-9903, University of British Columbia), Steven P Ashby (0000-0003-1420-2108, University of York)
Año2020
Volumen24
Número1
Páginas3-44
Fecha de publicación2020-03-04
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaEstonian Journal of Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1406-2933 • E-ISSN: 1736-7484
EditorialEstonian Academy Publishers (PUBLISHER • EE)
DOI10.3176/arch.2020.1.01
OpenAlexW3027379811
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas15

In 2008 and 2010, two partly destroyed ship burials were discovered near Salme on the island of Saaremaa. During the archaeological excavations, at least 41 wholly or partially preserved skeletons were discovered, and a large number of artefacts were found, including a dozen single-sided antler combs. On the basis of the finds, as well as radiocarbon dating, the ship burials were dated to the Pre-Viking Period, while both the isotopic and archaeological evidence point towards central Sweden as the most probable origin of the buried individuals. The combs from Salme have features that are generally consistent with the 8th century, with the closest parallels coming from the Mälar region of central Sweden. According to ZooMS and aDNA analyses, they are made of elk (Alces alces) and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) antler. Elk inhabited the Mälar region, but reindeer antler had its origin in more northern regions. Most combs were clearly manufactured with great skill, and finished with care, though some details indicate differences in the skills of comb makers

Ancient history · Antler · Archaeology · Context (archaeology · Genealogy · Geography · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Historical and Cultural Archaeology Studies · History · Maritime and Coastal Archaeology