The chronology of the younger stone age in Varanger, North Norway. Revisited

Abstract

The chronology of the Younger Stone Age in Varanger, North Norway is tested by means of radiocarbon dates. Compared with earlier chronologies there are shown to be temporal deviations. These are large in relation to Simonsen's chronology of 1975 and less in the case of Helskog 1974. Maximum temporal deviation between sites is 3000 calcndric years. The beginning of the Younger Stone Age period is defined on different cultural material than previously suggested and moved from 3400 to 4500 calendric years B.C. The profound temporal changes indicate a strong need for a revision of both internal and external cultural relationships.