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An integrated analysis of Maglemose bone points reframes the Early Mesolithic of Southern Scandinavia

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Jensen, Theis Zetner Trolle 
Sjöström, Arne 
Fischer, Anders 
Rosengren, Erika 
Lanigan, Liam Thomas 

Abstract

Abstract: The extensive peat bogs of Southern Scandinavia have yielded rich Mesolithic archaeological assemblages, with one of the most iconic artefacts being the bone point. Although great in number they remain understudied. Here we present a combined investigation of the typology, protein-based species composition, and absolute chronology of Maglemosian bone points. The majority of the bone points are made from cervids and bovines. However, changes both in species composition and barb morphology can be directly linked to a paucity of finds lasting nearly 600 years in Southern Scandinavia around 10,300 cal BP. We hypothesize that this hiatus was climate-driven and forced hunter-gatherers to abandon the lakes. Furthermore, the marked change in bone points coincides with a change in lithic technology. We, therefore, propose that the Maglemose culture in Southern Scandinavia is fundamentally divided into an Early Complex and a Late Complex.

Description

Keywords

Article, /631/601, /704/158/857, /631/337/475, /704/172/4081, article

Journal Title

Scientific Reports

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2045-2322

Volume Title

10

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group UK
Sponsorship
European Union's EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 (676154)
Natural Environment Research Council (NF/2018/1/5)
Villum Fonden (22917)
Danmarks Grundforskningsfond (DNRF128)
Novo Nordisk Fonden (NNF14CC0001)