Work

Sedentary people or short time events? High resolution radiocarbon chronology from a Late Mesolithic dwelling site in Western Norway

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: A Late Mesolithic (LM: 6500-4000 BCE) site with two dwellings and a midden were investigated on the coast of Western Norway. Occupation took place at repeated intervals on this site for nearly 2000 years, and 69 radiocarbon samples provide insight into the occupation patterns of a hunter gatherer fisher (HFG) settlement. In addition to traditional Bayesian modelling, we implemented an activity event analysis that enables us to measure the statistical consistency of datings and provide a proxy for the minimum number of events (MNE) necessary to account for the radiocarbon record of the site. The MNE perspective allows us to project the intermittent occupation pattern expected of an HFG settlement, offering a more nuanced perspective on the extent of sedentism in the late Mesolithic.

Source: Journal of Archaeological Science Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2023.104178

Authors: Leif Inge Åstveit, Christine Tøssebro

Institution: University of Bergen

Language: English

Topic: Archaeology and ancient environmental studies

Subfield: Paleontology

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,410

OpenAlex ID: W4385929584

FWCI: 1.211

Cites: 40

Cited by: 6

Related to: 10