A Late Mesolithic ritual using fishing tools at Kanaljorden (Sweden), 5700 Cal BC

Abstract

The present paper discusses the potential value, as part of a mortuary deposit or as ritual implements, of 31 arms, tools and objects made of bone and antler dated to the Late Mesolithic that were found together with several human rests in the Kanaljorden site (Sweden). The investigation examines the relationship between this assemblage and the archaeological structure, −made of large stone-boulders where all the remains have been discovered−, and gives results on the industrial component in terms of typology and technology. On one hand, the presence of complete bone arrow-heads and miniature armatures supports that part of the worked material has well been deposited or used there perhaps for a ritual purpose, but on the other hand, that all harpoon-heads, leister-prongs, heavy-duty tools and objects, −because these are mostly completely worn-out−, suggest conversely, together with some discarded waste of production, that the assemblage is mainly similar in nature to other equivalent series from any dwelling sites. Additionally, if some pieces show direct analogies with remains from Strandvägen, a site which is located just across the shore of the Motala River, they also show direct comparisons with sites located on the opposite shore of the Baltic Sea that display a Kunda related-cultural material. Besides, the exceptional artistic engraving displayed by an antler tool evokes a concrete Kongemose ambiance. As it is not usually occurring in the region so far, the Kanaljorden bone implements appear therefore relatively important for later enabling a better characterization of the Late Mesolithic of Scandinavia on its Baltic facade.