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The First Eastern Migrations of People and Knowledge into Scandinavia: Evidence from Studies of Mesolithic Technology, 9th-8th Millennium BC
Abstract and Figures
In this paper a team of Scandinavian researchers identifies and describes a Mesolithic technological concept, referred to as ‘the conical core pressure blade’ concept, and investigates how this concept spread into Fennoscandia and across Scandinavia. Using lithic technological, contextual archaeological and radiocarbon analyses, it is demonstrated that this blade concept arrived with ‘post-Swiderian’ hunter-gatherer groups from the Russian plain into northern Fennoscandia and the eastern Baltic during the 9th millennium BC. From there it
was spread by migrating people and/or as transmitted knowledge through culture contacts into interior central Sweden, Norway and down along the Norwegian coast. However itwas also spread into southern Scandinavia, where itwas formerly identified as the Maglemosian technogroup 3 (or the ‘Sværdborg phase’). In this paper it is argued that the identification and spread of the conical core pressure blade concept represents the first migration of people, technology and ideas into Scandinavia from the south-eastern Baltic region and the Russian plain.
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... After being first identified on the Northern coast of Finland in the 9th millennium calBC's series (Rankama/Kankaanpää, 2008& 2011, pressure debitage is now recorded in Scandinavia from Danish series at later sites (Sørensen et al., 2013). Listed throughout the ancient world from the 23rd (e.g. ...
... This transfer evoked between various 'reflex' techniques involved in the pressure flaking would be more plausible than the one which refers to a practice directly from the oldest standing pressure found in Russia's Volga-Oka interfluve, as suggested by previous lithic studies (Sørensen, 2018;Sørensen et al., 2013). In the light of the present investigation and, on this subject, since it also refers to more squat forms in antler (made of a thick-straight and short complete deer antler tine at Ivanoskoye layer IV, for instance-Cf. ...
... The concentration of elongated antler crutches on various sites of typical Maglemosian culture suggests a kind of emulation between flintknappers, perhaps stimulated in reality by the form of sociality or the inter-objectivity (Latour, 1994) that the practice of the pressure debitage itself may eventually have brought in situation (Mauss, 1983(Mauss, [1950:372). Based on the available radiocarbon dates (Damlien et al., 2018;David/Sørensen, 2016;Sørensen, 2012;Sørensen et al., 2013), this scenario does not exclude the integration of new groups into Zealand, but the disruptive nature of the curve crutch shows that the demic arrival, if any, was composed of only a few individuals, and that it did not affect at first the Maglemosian evolution in its material culture during this end of the 8th millennium calBC. So, to speak, even though it seemed to appear in a brutal way, the technical change which saw the introduction of the pressure knapping and insert technology in Zealand probably sprouted through an evolution of regular or successive inputs but over a few centuries on a Scanian-Zealandic line where contacts were probably already frequent on the Western Baltic (Sørensen/Casati, 2015). ...
When looking at archaeological pieces identified as pressure-flaker tools, the means and ways of integrating a stone reduction technique into the production of regular lithic blades/bladelets, so called ‘termed’ products, in Denmark at the end of the Early Scandinavian Mesolithic period are taken into consideration. In that, this paper examines the forms of interaction between territorially close populations known as possessing distinct technologies: in the Eastern Baltic regions, populations using percussion and pressure techniques in stone reduction as well as composite tools made of bone with lithic inserts, whereas, in the most Western Baltic regions (Denmark), populations using percussion techniques only, without having any knowledge of the composite tool. According to the lithic archaeological material, it is in this latter area of Maglemosian culture that pressure flaking in debitage appears ca. 7300/7000 calBC, thus raising the question of whether this sudden new practice originated from the arrival of a new population bringing with them the new (Eastern) technology, from a technological transfer between groups of crafting traditions initially distinct, or from itinerant craftsmen?
... The technology was introduced in the southern parts of the Scandinavian peninsula around 8300 BC, arriving via migrating groups from the northeast (e.g. Damlien, 2016;Manninen et al., 2021;Sørensen et al., 2013). ...
... In order to reconstruct the operational chain of blade production, a dynamical technological classification was employed (cf. Damlien, 2016;Sørensen, 2008;Sørensen et al., 2013). This is an analytical tool developed to describe and reconstruct one or several technological systems within a given lithic assemblage. ...
Around 8200years ago, the Storegga tsunami hit the west coast of South Norway. The physical extent of the tsunami has been well documented but the consequences of the event for contemporary societies have received little attention beyond broad generalizations and, more recently, demographic
studies based on statistical modeling of radiocarbon dates. In this paper, we explore whether the different physical impacts of the Storrega tsunami could have initiated observed regional developments in lithic technology. We have analyzed lithic assemblages from 30 carefully selected Middle and
Late Mesolithic sites (dated between c. 7500 and 5000cal BC) spread across six designated “focus areas” along the coast of western South-Norway. We identified five blade production concepts in use during the Late Mesolithic and highlight potentially significant differences in their spatial and temporal
distribution. Although neither the tsunami nor the environmental stresses experienced by Mesolithic communities appear to have prompted large breaks in traditional practices, we suggest that the event marks a point in time from where specific differences and modifications in lithic technology start developing at a local scale. We argue that sudden, yet transitory events such as the Storegga tsunami, may rupture the historical contingency of social
networks and communication lines resulting in changing social contexts influencing material change
... V. Filatova (2004) proposed the term "Onega culture" (or "Onezhskaya culture") for this group of sites, due to the shared characteristics of their settlement structures and material culture. While part of the wider Eastern Blade Technology complex (Sørensen et al. 2013;Tarasov 2018), the Onega culture as described by Filatova appears to be materially distinct from both the archaeological cultures of the White Sea and the Baltic Sea area. Instead, it's closest cultural relatives (based on material culture) are the Butovo and Veretye cultures, east of Onega, which, however, are considerable older than YOO and represent the earliest occupation phases in the area (beginning around 9000 years cal BC) (Filatova 2004). ...
This study investigates the underlying mechanisms driving the formation of the largest known burial site of the Northern European Mesolithic, Yuzhniy Oleniy Ostrov (YOO). Radiogenic strontium isotope analysis (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) was used to identify group dynamics within the cemetery and examine the site’s place within local and supra-regional networks. The analysis of 57 humans and 31 animals was supported by the creation of an environmental baseline which identified four key geological zones and defines the strontium characteristics of Lake Onega. Only two individuals had strontium values indicating time spent outside of Lake Onega’s northern shores, where the majority of the burial population is likely to have resided. These results suggest that the YOO cemetery predominantly served as a burial place for those with semi-permanent residence in this area, with no significant evidence for gender-based relocation patterns indicative of patri- or matrilocal residency. However, materials seem to have travelled towards Lake Onega even over great distances and the presence of the two outlier individuals suggests these exchanges also involved long-distance travel of people. Our results align with an increasing number of studies that suggest a high degree of residential stability for Late Mesolithic foraging groups relying primarily on aquatic resources, yet simultaneously places the Lake Onega community within a wider Mesolithic communication network.
Supplementary Information
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12520-024-02129-8.
... Certainly, in the Late Boreal, the proglacial valley corridor became part of the wider Maglemosian exchange network. However, while the emergence of pressure technology and the direction of diffusion of this innovation is still debated (Derosiers 2012), the presence of pressure technology at the Polish sites before the onset of the Atlantic Period can strengthen the hypothesis of its transmission from the east (Kunda culture) to the west (Maglemose culture) (Sørensen 2012;Sørensen et al. 2013;Damlien et al. 2018).The proglacial valley of the Polish Plain would be a cultural crossroads of different social networks. ...
The paper present the newly registered early Mesolithic Ujście Site 37 located on the edge of Toruń-Eberswalde ice-marginal valley. Inferring from techno-typological analysis of collected lithic materials, the site consists of two settlement horizons of Preboreal/Boreal chronology: the older related to the Duvensee/Komornica complex and the younger correlated with the Maglemosian complex. The chronological sequence is comparable with that known from the adjacent sites Krzyż Wielkopolski 7 and Żuławka 13. The paper presents the results of preliminary studies of Ujście Site 37 and its potential for future research on Mesolithic settlement in Central European Plain.
... This time frame coincides with the "Komsa Phase" sites (e.g., Woodman 1993) on the north coast of Norway, regarded as belonging to the Ahrensburg Culture, with people moving northwards up the western Norwegian coast (e.g., Grydeland 2006), but also within the time frame of the earliest Post-Swiderian settlers in northern Finland (Finnmarka) moving in from the east (Russia) (e.g., Rankama and Kankaanpää 2011;Kankaanpää and Rankama 2014). However, the precise migration route of these earliest hunter-gatherers at Aareavaara-whether from the north following the southward receding ice margin, or from the east across present-day northern Finland, or a combination of both-remains an open question (e.g., Kankaanpää 2008, 2011;Sørensen et al. 2013;Ekholm 2016Ekholm , 2021Günther et al. 2018;Manninen et al. 2021). Regardless, the first inhabitants of Aareavaara likely settled in close proximity to the retreating ice, and shore-level data (Lindén et al. 2006) suggest occupation in a waterfront situation, in fact, within an archipelago of the Ancylus lake . ...
A small Mesolithic camp site near Sammakko in northernmost Sweden has been identified through its abundance of burnt bone and quartz refuse from stone tool manufacturing/maintenance. Radiocarbon dating places hunter-gatherer activity here around 8900 years ago, 1800 years later than the oldest known settlement in Norrbotten, the Aareavaara site. Sediment stratigraphy in nearby lake basins suggests that the final melting of stagnant ice, trapped in the undulating Veiki-moraine landscape, occurred around 9200 years ago. Initially, after deglaciation, the area was covered with arctic heath, transitioning to an open birch forest by 9100 years ago. At the time of the Sammakko settlers, it was an open birch forest with elements of pine, and various dwarf shrubs, including dwarf birch, willow, and juniper. Grasses, sedges, and various herbs in the semi-open grounds were also common. The settlers primarily relied on reindeer, as indicated by burnt bones, with supplementary food sources such as pike and birds. Stalking was likely the main hunting method, possibly aided by dogs. Potential dog gnaw marks on bones suggest early domestication. The site functioned as a temporary hunting station, probably used only during snow-free months. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
... Manninen & Hertell 2011), saapui tänne väestöä idästä (esim. Sørensen et al. 2013;Manninen et al. 2021). Näiden Suomen ensiasuttajien aikalaisia itäisessä Euroopassa, eli lähinnä geneettiseen itäisten metsästäjä-keräilijöiden ryhmään (EHG) kuuluneita yksilöitä, on muinais-DNA:n osalta tutkittu merkittävästi läntisiä vastineitaan vähemmän (esim. ...
Loppuvuodesta 2023 Vantaan Sanomat julkaisi kirjoituksen, jossa kerrottiin Suomen ensiasuttajien olleen todennäköisesti tummaihoisia. Tieto pohjautui viimeksi kuluneen vuosikymmenen aikana tehtyyn tieteelliseen tutkimukseen. Julkaisemista seurasi kohu sosiaalisessa mediassa. Kohu seurasi kansainvälistä esimerkkiä, sillä samankaltaisia kansainvälisiksi paisuneita kohuja liittyen Euroopan tummaihoisiin kivikautisiin metsästäjä-keräilijöihin on aiemmin puhjennut mm. Tanskassa, Ruotsissa ja Isossa-Britanniassa. Vaikuttaa todennäköiseltä, että verkossa nimimerkkien takana kohujen lietsontaan osallistuu tahoja, joiden tarkoitusperät ovat puhtaan poliittisia ja kahtiajakoon pyrkiviä. Vantaan tapauksessa kohu kuitenkin kääntyi tietyiltä osin jopa positiiviseksi asiaksi. Se voitiin hyödyntää lisääntyneenä näkyvyytenä arkeologiselle tutkimukselle ja sen varjolla saatiin nostettua ihmisten kiinnostusta menneisyyteen.
... Området har gjennom mer enn hundre år vaert gjenstand for arkeologisk utforskning, og empiri herfra har stått sentralt for etablering og utvikling av kunnskap om samfunn i steinbrukende i Finnmark og nordlige Fennoskandia (f.eks. Gjessing, 1942;Grydeland, 2000;Helskog, 1980;Knutsson et al., 2013;Manninen og Knutsson, 2011;Nummedal, 1937;Nummedal, 1938;Olsen, 1994;Simonsen, 1961;Woodman, 1992). Områdets betydning for arkeologisk kunnskapsproduksjon kan illustreres ved at lokaliteter herfra har definert og navngitt flere kronologiske faser i steinalderen (Simonsen, 1975 ...
Sikringsprosjekt i forbindelse med vannledning som ble gravd gjennom tre lokaliteter i Karlebotn, Nesseby k. Universitetsmuseet inspiserte grøftekantene og samlet inn funn. I utvalgte områder ble det renset opp profiler. Det ble samlet inn både funn og prøver til datering. Det ble i løpet av arbeidet også oppdaget to nye lokaliteter, som ikke var tidligere registrert. På Boinis ble det påvist en tuft som ble snittet av grøfta. Den gav dateringer til perioden 2570-2235 f.Kr. Dette sammenfaller med tidligere registreringer, løsfunn og eldre opplysninger om boplassen. Funn flere steder i grøfta gir grunn til å tro at det er flere tufter bevart på de to terrassene 18 og 21 moh. Ved Nordli gikk grøfta i utkanten av lokaliteten. Det ble renset opp to store profiler, hvorav en gav en datering til 5209-4995 f.Kr. Det ble gjort funn av ett skår kamkeramikk og en tverrspiss. Lokaliteten er gravd ut i flere omganger fra tidligere, og funnene fra 2023 viser stor likhet både i materiale og dateringer med det som tidligere er funnet. Ovenfor Gropbakkeengen ligger høyest av lokalitetene, her ble det samlet inn funn på overflater inntil grøfta, og i kantene. En mulig tangespiss og mikrostikkel dateres til tidlig mesolitikum, i likhet med tidligere registrering av boplassen. Det ble ikke observert kulturlag eller strukturer. Videre sørover i grøfta ble det påvist to nye lokaliteter med bakgrunn i funn langs grøftekanten. Ovenfor Gropbakkengen II ligger lengst sør av de to, her ble det samlet inn en mikroflekkekjerne, en lansettmikrolitt og flekkemateriale. Kjernen kobles til trykkteknikkøstfra og materialet dateres til mellom mesolitikum. Ovenfor Karlebotn III ble oppdaget ved gjenlegging av grøfta og materialet ble samlet inn av Finnmark Fylkeskommune (tidligere TFFK).
This book forms part of contemporary research on the interaction between migratory early farmers of Anatolian origin and European hunter-gatherers. In southern Eastern Europe, these two ways of life coexisted for thousands of years, resulting in a wide variety of configurations and patterns. Therefore, this part of the prehistory of southern Eastern Europe is of general European importance, providing comparative material for the study of Neolithisation and offering a different perspective to illuminate the possible variants of historical development and better identify the social structures behind the differences.
The postglacial recolonization of Fennoscandian flora and fauna was initiated when the land became accessible as the last ice sheet retreated. In northern Sweden, plants are represented in pollen and macrofossil records, but there is no genetic evidence from the first plants, animals or humans in the region, mainly owing to an absence of osteological finds. The questions of who the first postglacial peoples, or pioneers, were and where they came from therefore remain unanswered. Previous palaeogenomic analyses from remains from adjacent regions have suggested that two main routes into Sweden could have been taken by the pioneers, one from the SW through modern‐day Denmark and Norway, and one from the east via Finland. However, no direct genetic evidence from the pioneers of northern Sweden exists. Modern technology has provided the ancient DNA field with an updated toolbox that could allow for novel approaches for revealing the origin and genetic profiles of the first Scandinavians, of which sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) is well placed. Lake sediments are now a routine source of sedaDNA that have been used to record environmental changes and detect species that lived in the surrounding lake catchment. This review will provide context and background, a summary of the ground‐breaking studies within the field of lacustrine sedaDNA, and relevant methodology to address the scientific questions at hand. We conclude that the field is mature enough to provide insight into the origins and arrival times of the first postglacial humans that migrated into northern Sweden.
One of the most troubling problems in archaeology is to determine the manner and content of prehistoric thought. A fundamental challenge is to develop the theory, methodology and tools to understand human cognition. Cognitive archaeology as a subject is still in its infancy, and archaeologists are adopting a variety of approaches. One direction has been to develop an 'interpretationist', anti-scientific, literary approach. Another has been to use a linguistic framework and develop a hermeneutic, semiotic approach. A third approach develops a new direction in prehistoric cognitive research which is rooted in the scientific tradition and in an empirical methodology. It draws upon the cognitive, the mathematical and the computer sciences in an attempt to understand what techniques can be used appropriately on archaeological data, and how to implement them efficiently. This is the approach adopted by the contributors to The Ancient Mind. Together, they begin to develop a science of cognitive archaeology.
Human development is a long and steady process that began with stone tool making. Because of this skill, humans were able to adapt to climate changes, discover new territories, and invent new technologies. "Pressure knapping" is the common term for one method of creating stone tools, where a larger device or blade specifically made for this purpose is use to press out the stone tool. Pressure knapping was invented in different locations and at different points in time, representing the adoption of the Neolithic way of life in the Old world. Recent research on pressure knapping has led for the first time to a global thesis on this technique. The contributors to this seminal work combine research findings on pressure knapping from different cultures around the globe to develope a cohesive theory. This contributions to this volume represents a significant development to research on pressure knapping, as well as the field of lithic studies in general. This work will be an important reference for anyone studying the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic periods, lithic studies, technologies, and more generally, cultural transmission. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.