Ritualized Mesolithic hoarding in Southern Scandinavia: An Under-Recognised Phenomenon

Abstract

Intentionally deposited groups of artefacts, here classified as hoards, form a relatively under­studied aspect of the southern Scandinavian Mesolithic. Here analysis of 124 southern Scan­dinavian Mesolithic hoards is used to further the concept of ritualization, applying a holistic approach to the observed variability and patterning in their biographies. Contrary to the common assertion that hoarding began in the Neolithic, the results indicate that hoarding practices can be traced back to at least the Early Maglemose and extend throughout the Mesolithic. A catalogue of studied hoards is included in the supplementary online material, as well as a separate catalogue of use­wear analysis findings from a subset of the hoards.