Burnt bones by Europe's largest lake: Zooarchaeology of the Stone Age and Early Metal period hunter-gatherers at Lake Ladoga, NW Russia. (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Seitsonen, Oula; Seitsonen, Sanna; Broderick, Lee G.; Gerasimov, Dmitriy V.
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 11(2017)
• Page Start: 131
• Page End: 146
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: Zooarchaeology -- Stone age -- Early metal period -- Hunter-gatherer -- Burnt bone -- Environmental change -- Lake Ladoga -- Russia; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2016.11.034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Abstract: Lake Ladoga, Europe's largest lake, is situated in northwest Russia east of the Baltic Sea. This article is the first compilation of all the zooarchaeological material recovered from the Stone Age and Early Metal Period hunter-gatherer sites in the area analysed and published up to 2014. All the faunal remains preserved in the acidic soils are small pieces of calcined bone, except for two sites where anaerobic conditions have also preserved unburnt bones. An overview of the analysed assemblages, including identified species and carcass treatment is presented, and the chronological trends briefly summarised. Based on the zooarchaeological material the prehistoric subsistence base was aquatically oriented throughout the Stone Age and Early Metal Period. Day-to-day subsistence seems based on fishing near the campsites, supplemented with seasonal food sources. Prehistoric inhabitants of Lake Ladoga were also committed to invest technology, time, and human resources in the specialised, risky sealing forays. The abundant lake resources offered a stable, self-renewing resource base for the area's population and, for example, fishing maintained its importance in subsistence even after the introduction of cultivation – in places into the 20th century. Graphical abstract: Highlights: First zooarchaeological compilation from Europe's largest lake, Lake Ladoga, Russia All the analysed Stone Age and Early Metal Period material from 1882 to 2014 Tiny fragments of burnt bone (< 1 cm 3 ) due to acidic soils, unburnt bones from two exceptional sites Differential treatment and preservation of bones affects the assemblage composition. Importance of semi-aquatic livelihoods through time, including specialised sealing