Sheep Ahoy

Exploring sheep management and its role in Viking Age economy through multiproxy analyses at Löddeköpinge, Sweden

Datos Bibliográficos

ID12371767
AutoresMacheridi (0000-0002-7315-5623, Department of Archaeology and Ancient History Lund University Lund Sweden, autor de correspondencia), Katie Faillace (0000-0001-9858-5817, School of History, Archaeology and Religion Cardiff University Cardiff UK), Mantle Hood (0000-0001-9256-4337, School of History, Archaeology and Religion Cardiff University Cardiff UK), Kerry L Sayle (0000-0003-3492-5979, SUERC University of Glasgow Glasgow UK), Edward Inglis (0000-0002-4183-0663, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences Cardiff University Cardiff UK), R Madgwick (0000-0002-4396-3566, School of History, Archaeology and Religion Cardiff University Cardiff UK)
Año2024
Volumen34
Número6
Fecha de publicación2024-10-04
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/oa.3355
OpenAlexW4403129884
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas31

Sheep and their wool were paramount to Viking Age economies. The importance of wool cannot be underestimated, especially as the woollen sail was implemented on ships in general during this period. This paper investigates sheep management and landscape use in Viking Age Löddeköpinge in Scania, southern Sweden, through a multiproxy approach, integrating multi‐isotope methods with zooarchaeological analysis. Using the marketplace at Löddeköpinge as a case study, 18 sheep mandibles were analyzed through zooarchaeological methods and isotope analyses of δ 13 C, δ 15 N, δ 34 S, and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr. The results show that the sheep represent a composite deadflock, meaning they probably derive from different liveflocks. The 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values demonstrate likely origins north and east of Löddeköpinge. The δ 13 C and δ 15 N values indicate a terrestrial diet with variation in δ 15 N, meaning that some may have grazed on manured fields. The δ 15 N, in conjunction with δ 34 S, values show a possible limnic influence, implying grazing on pastures close to freshwater systems; however, this requires further investigation. The results illuminate the marketplace function of Löddeköpinge, as sheep bred north and east of the site were transported and exchanged there. This shows the degree and extent of control of the re‐distributional system held by the local elite. This control may be instigated by the increased textile production, especially concerning sailcloth, at the site. If so, sheep management may have been specialized towards the production of optimal wool for sailcloth, besides other essential cloth

Archaeology · Geography · Viking Age · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Historical and Archaeological Studies · Indigenous Studies and Ecology