Paleoeconomy more than demography determined prehistoric human impact in Arctic Norway

Author:

Brown Tony1ORCID,Rijal Dilli P1ORCID,Heintzman Peter D1ORCID,Clarke Charlotte L2ORCID,Blankholm Hans Peter3,Høeg Helge I4,Lammers Youri1,Bråthen Kari Anne5ORCID,Edwards Mary2ORCID,Alsos Inger G1ORCID

Affiliation:

1. The Arctic University Museum of Norway, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway , N-9037 Tromsø , Norway

2. The Palaeolab., Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton , Southampton SO17 1BJ , UK

3. The Institute of Archaeology, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway , N-9037 Tromsø , Norway

4. Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo , 0371 Oslo , Norway

5. The Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway , N-9037 Tromsø , Norway

Abstract

AbstractPopulation size has increasingly been taken as the driver of past human environmental impact worldwide, and particularly in the Arctic. However, sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA), pollen and archaeological data show that over the last 12,000 years, paleoeconomy and culture determined human impacts on the terrestrial ecology of Arctic Norway. The large Mortensnes site complex (Ceavccageađgi, 70°N) has yielded the most comprehensive multiproxy record in the Arctic to date. The site saw occupation from the Pioneer period (c. 10,000 cal. years BP) with more intensive use from c. 4,200 to 2,000 cal. years BP and after 1,600 cal. years BP. Here, we combine on-site environmental archaeology with a near-site lake record of plant and animal sedaDNA. The rich animal sedaDNA data (42 taxa) and on-site faunal analyses reveal switches in human dietary composition from early-Holocene fish + marine mammals, to mixed marine + reindeer, then finally to marine + reindeer + domesticates (sheep, cattle, pigs), with highest reindeer concentrations in the last millennium. Archaeological evidence suggests these changes are not directly driven by climate or variation in population densities at the site or in the region, but rather are the result of changing socio-economic activities and culture, probably reflecting settlers’ origins. This large settlement only had discernable effects on its hinterland in the last 3,600 years (grazing) and more markedly in the last 1,000 years through reindeer keeping/herding and, possibly domestic stock. Near-site sedaDNA can be linked to and validate the faunal record from archaeological excavations, demonstrating that environmental impacts can be assessed at a landscape scale.

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

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