Landscape development at Lina myr fen, Eastern Gotland, 9000−2500 cal. yr BP

Nichola Ann Strandberg,Helene Martinsson-Wallin,Jan Risberg,Martina Hättestrand,Malin Kylander,Ian Croudace,Yusuke Yokoyama,Aleftin Barliaev

doi:10.1177/0959683620913919

Nichola Ann Strandberg, Helene Martinsson-Wallin + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1177/0959683620913919

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Abstract

Using diatoms, pollen, and geochemistry, we explore human habitation around Lina myr, Gotland, in relation to shore displacement. Archeological evidence has shown that Lina myr was an important area for its prehistoric human inhabitants. We investigate if and when Lina myr was connected to the sea and could therefore have been part of an inland water system useful for transport. A chronology was based on14C AMS dating of terrestrial macrofossils and bulk sediments with dates ranging between 9100 and 2360 cal. yr BP. The initiation of the Littorina transgression was dated to 8500 cal. yr BP. A twofold pattern for the maximum sub-phase of the Littorina Sea is suggested from 8100 to 7500 cal. yr BP and from 6500 to 6000 cal. yr BP. The onset of cultivation and grazing was indicated by the presence of Hordeum and Plantago lanceolata in the pollen record during the Late Neolithic, at about 4580 cal. yr BP. During this time sea level was relatively higher than today and the Lina myr basin was connected with the Littorina Sea, which it continued to be until isostatic uplift caused it to become isolated at about 3820 cal. yr BP. After about 3000 cal. yr BP, human-made landscape changes intensified, grasslands increased, and shrublands decreased.

Highlights

Lina myr, a drained and cultivated area of fenland in centraleastern Gotland, is an area of archeological significance with a complex history of shoreline displacement
In the earliest part of the Lina myr record (9000−8980 cal. yr BP), the basin was submerged by the Ancylus Lake
Between 9500 and 8500 cal. yr BP, a freshwater lake with a maximum depth of 5 m and highly reducing conditions existed in the Lina myr basin

Summary

Introduction

A drained and cultivated area of fenland in centraleastern Gotland, is an area of archeological significance with a complex history of shoreline displacement. Martinsson-Wallin and Wehlin (2017) stated that several of these stone ships are located along the northern side of the Gothem River and Lina myr and are positioned in an eastwest direction. This differs from the majority of stone ships settings on Gotland, which are found in coastal locations around the island placed with the bow toward the south. According to Ohlsson (1984) at least up to medieval times, a historical waterway, comprising the Gothem River and some areas of open water, could have been used for transport through Lina myr, into central Gotland This important waterway could explain the difference in the orientation in the ship settings. This sea connection would have made Lina myr an important center for transport, trade, and settlement

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