Birds in Medieval Norway

Samuel J Walker,Anne Karin Hufthammer,Hanneke J M Meijer

doi:10.5334/oq.58

Samuel J Walker, Anne Karin Hufthammer + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.5334/oq.58

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Abstract

Whilst modern avian distributions in Scandinavia are well studied, how past events and processes have shaped modern bird communities in the region remains poorly known. This is mainly due to the fact that work on post-glacial avian assemblages has been done mostly from an archaeological perspective, and on a site-specific basis. Therefore, in order to understand the history of bird species in Scandinavia, there is a clear need to collate data on the past occurrences and abundance of birds within the region. Here we present data on the presence of bird species within 21 Norwegian Medieval (1030–1537 CE) assemblages. Despite climatic fluctuations and the rise of urban centres, our re-examination and compilation of bird bone assemblages from Medieval Norway found no evidence to suggest that the Medieval bird fauna differed from the modern one. The most common birds in Medieval assemblages are Galliformes. In urban sites these are mostly domestic fowl, whereas on rural sites wild species are dominant. Our data indicates an introduction of domestic fowl in the early Medieval period and a slightly delayed introduction of domestic geese, with both species becoming more abundant during the mid to late Medieval period. This appears to be later than other Scandinavian countries. Interestingly, species that are now ubiquitous in urban areas, such as pigeons, corvids and gulls are mostly absent from Medieval urban centres. In addition, we found a bias towards the use of female <em>Accipiter gentilis</em> in falconry, while <em>Falco species</em> may have been exported. This is the first time that data on past avian occurrences for any period are reviewed and collated for Norway. In addition, our work highlights the importance of birds and bird exploitation in Medieval Norway.

Highlights

Norway hosts at least 259 breeding bird species ( Gjershaug et al 1994)
We identified a number of species of seabirds in Norwegian Medieval assemblages, gaviiforms, procellariiforms, suliforms, pelecaniforms and charadriiforms are only present in low abundances
We propose that the later introduction, and presumed lack of juvenile G. gallus into Norway reflects a similar role of domestic fowl in Norwegian Medieval society as that seen in Roman Britain

Summary

Introduction

Norway hosts at least 259 breeding bird species ( Gjershaug et al 1994). Recent ornithological work has shown that 22% of all breeding birds within Norway are declining in numbers, with three species likely to disappear within the decade (Shimmings & Øien 2015). Work on post-glacial Scandinavian birds has been done mostly from an archaeological perspective and on a sitespecific basis. Mannermaa’s (2003) work in Finland collates data on avifaunas from archaeological sites, focusing on the Mesolithic through to the Bronze Age. The most recent work conducted in Denmark is by Gotfredsen (2013; 2014) looking at subsistence and cultural implications of species represented from specific sites. We have consulted work conducted on bird remains from the Scottish Isles, of which there is a wealth of information (Serjeantson 1988; Best & Mulville 2010; Best & Mulville 2013; Best & Mulville 2014; Serjeantson 2014)

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