On the scent of an animal skin: new evidence on Corded Ware mortuary practices in Northern Europe

The Late Neolithic Corded Ware Culture (c. 2800–2300 BC) of Northern Europe is characterised by specific sets of grave goods and mortuary practices, but the organic components of these grave sets are poorly represented in the archaeological record. New microscopic analyses of soil samples collected...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Antiquity 2018-02, Vol.92 (361), p.118-131
Main Authors: Ahola, Marja, Kirkinen, Tuija, Vajanto, Krista, Ruokolainen, Janne
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Discovery and exploration
Goats
Hair
Identification and classification
Mortuary practice
Neolithic period
Physiological aspects
Social aspects
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Description
Summary:The Late Neolithic Corded Ware Culture (c. 2800–2300 BC) of Northern Europe is characterised by specific sets of grave goods and mortuary practices, but the organic components of these grave sets are poorly represented in the archaeological record. New microscopic analyses of soil samples collected during the 1930s from the Perttulanmäki grave in western Finland have, however, revealed preserved Neolithic animal hairs. Despite mineralisation, the species of animal has been successfully identified and offers the oldest evidence for domestic goat in Neolithic Finland, indicating a pastoral herding economy. The mortuary context of the goat hair also suggests that animals played a significant role in the Corded Ware belief system.
ISSN:0003-598X
1745-1744
DOI:10.15184/aqy.2017.188