Trapping reindeer in South Norway

Abstract

Very soon after the ice withdrew from the higher levels of the Scandinavian Peninsula the vegetation invaded. Even up to at least 1,100–1,20 m above sea-level the pine forest was in existence about 8,500 years ago (Barth et al., 1980).Radiocarbon datings from human sites in the high mountains of southern Norway also go back 8,500 years BP (Moe et al., 1978, Bang-Andersen & Kjos-Hanssen, 1979). It seems probable that the reindeer has been ‘the only possible resource that can explain man's presence in the highlands during the Early Mesolithic’ (Moe et al., 1978). There is little doubt that for groups of people in the Norwegian mountains, reindeer was the most important food during thousands of years (Barth 1981a).