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Deglaciation and Colonization: Pioneer Settlements in Northern Fennoscandia

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Abstract

We present new data on Early Mesolithic settlements in northern Sweden and discuss the process of pioneer colonization. A new set of radiocarbon dates from archaeological sites push deglaciation of northern Fennoscandia further back in time and demonstrate the rapid arrival of pioneer settlers. Environmental data reveal a highly productive early postglacial setting with plant communities unmatched in present ecosystems. The chronological and technological setting supports immigration from the north and northwest with pioneers relying on a long history of enculturating northern subarctic landscapes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Silvermuseum of Arjeplog, Arjeplog, Sweden

    Ingela Bergman

  2. Vuollerim 6000 år, Murjeksvägen 31, Vuollerim, S-960 30, Sweden

    Anders Olofsson

  3. Department of Vegetation Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, S-90 183, Sweden

    Greger Hörnberg, Olle Zackrisson & Erik Hellberg

  4. Silvermuseum of Arjeplog, Storgatan 20, 930 90, Arjeplog, Sweden

    Ingela Bergman

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  1. Ingela Bergman
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  2. Anders Olofsson
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  3. Greger Hörnberg
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  4. Olle Zackrisson
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  5. Erik Hellberg
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Correspondence to Ingela Bergman.

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Bergman, I., Olofsson, A., Hörnberg, G. et al. Deglaciation and Colonization: Pioneer Settlements in Northern Fennoscandia. J World Prehist 18, 155–177 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10963-004-2880-z

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