Kotirinne — A late Neolithic mixed farming site: Osteological and chemical investigations at the Kotirinne Dwelling site at Niuskala, Turku, SW Finland

Abstract

Earlier pollen analyses and palaeoethnobotanical investigations indicate cereal cultivation at the Late Neolithic Kotirinne dwelling site in SW Finland. The site belongs to the Kiukainen Culture (ca. 2000–1300/1000 BC) and is the first within this culture to show indubitable evidence of farming. In the present osteological study, mainly bones of seal and fish have been identified. The site is accordingly interpreted as a mixed sealing‐farming site, its marine‐oriented location suggesting sealing and fishing as the most important resources. Trace element analyses of the cultural strata are presented and compared with results from Neolithic settlements in Asele, Sweden.