Period: Antiquity in general

Project title: A taphonomic study of burning of beaver skeletons

Researchers: Anders Fandén, Ph.D. student, Lund University, Sweden

and Ola Magnell, Ph.D. student, Lund University, Sweden

E-mail: anders.fanden(at)telia.com or ola.magnell(at)spray.se

Year: 2003

Abstract:

During excavations of prehistoric settlements in Northern Sweden, bones of beavers were found among the ordinary settlement refuse, suggesting that beaver hunting was common. By analysing the age of the beavers and the season of slaughter an insight can be gained into hunting seasons and the organisation of beaver hunting in the past. The problem is that the beaver bones are often burnt and fragmented when excavated. These experiments aim to investigate the changes that occur in the bones of beavers of various ages when they are burnt and fragmented (including by trampling). This will produce a tool for determining the ages of the animals represented in the original finds.

Reference number: HAF 09/03