Late Iron Age Whaling in Scandinavia

Abstract The use of marine mammal bone as a raw material in the manufacturing gaming pieces Scandinavian late Iron Age has been observed and discussed recent years. New empirical studies have created chronology well typology showing how design is tightly connected to different choices material; from antler Roman Migration periods, whale sixth century, walrus tenth century. Macroscopic examination can, however, rarely go beyond determining that ‘cetacean bone’. following article presents taxonomic identifications 68 samples pieces, determined using Zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry analysis. results demonstrate consistent bones Balaenidae sp. most probably North Atlantic right ( Eubalaena glacialis ). This paper strong evidence for active, large-scale hunting whales Scandinavia, starting manufacture was not driver hunt, but merely by-product survived archaeological record. Of greater importance were baleen, meat, blubber could be rendered into oil. oil might an additional trading product far-reaching trade networks developing during period. study supports previous suggesting medieval resource exploitation had much more severe influence on ecosystems than previously expected. It adds insights anthropogenic impact populations prehistory.