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5 Plan drawing of the excavated main area with stray finds of human bone fragments found in the cultural layers marked by stars and dark soil areas (1–4) indicated as gray spots
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In this paper we explore the mid-Neolithic ritual evidence associated with the Pitted Ware Culture groups on the Island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. We discuss collective spaces and actions and question whether the graves are the result of a sedentary-settlement concept. A nuanced approach is advocated, which brings to light the complexity of the...
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Citations
... The maritime relationship where the seashore/coast was a liminal zone and a place for rituals and burial monuments existed for a long time in Gotlandic society. This relationship is stressed already in Neolithic times (Wallin & Martinsson-Wallin 2016). Another aspect of the spatial relationships of large cairns is their deliberate placing on or close to borders between different territories. ...
In this paper, we discuss the ritual practices and ritualization in the Bronze Age society on Got- land based on archaeological investigations of cairn milieus and stone ship contexts. We explore whether erected stones and demarcations on the south to south-west side of the Bronze Age cairns are the norm and whether this phenomenon oc- curred during the Bronze Age. We also discuss whether our archaeological research can support long-term use of cairn milieus for ritual purposes.
... Island communities are often described as possessing idiosyncratic identities that manifest, for example, in burial assemblages and ritual practices (Wallin & Martinsson-Wallin 2016), new technologies (Hudson 2012), and through linguistics and storytelling (Gounder 2015). Since the latter half of the 20 th century, islands have often been considered by archaeologists as 'laboratories' for the study of cultural change (e.g. ...
... Island communities are often described as possessing idiosyncratic identities that manifest, for example, in burial assemblages and ritual practices (Wallin & Martinsson-Wallin 2016), new technologies (Hudson 2012), and through linguistics and storytelling (Gounder 2015). Since the latter half of the 20 th century, islands have often been considered by archaeologists as 'laboratories' for the study of cultural change (e.g. ...
In Relations and Runes a number of specialists from the fields of archaeology, numismatics and runology explore the complexity of developments and relations in the Baltic Sea region during the Late Iron Age and Early Middle Ages.
The contributions in the book cover a wide spectrum of topics and approaches highlighting how islands functioned as nodes in interaction and commu�nication, while constructing and maintaining individual identities. With special focus on the islands of Öland, Gotland and Bornholm, in-depth studies of specific archaeological materials are set in a broader context of cultural development and change in the Baltic.
This book is the outcome of a joint venture between two research projects – The Viking Phenomenon and Everlasting Runes, and Gotland Museum.
... 3000/2800-2300 BCE), which in southern Scandinavia chronologically succeeds the FBC (Brink, 2009;Browall, 1991;Edenmo, 2008;Larsson, 2009;Malmer, 2002). The BAC is considered a Scandinavian variant of the CWC (Wallin & Martinsson-Wallin, 2016;Palmgren & Martinsson-Wallin, 2015;T. D. Price, 2015) and is named after the stone axes associated with the graves of males that mimic metal battle axes. ...
... d Previously published radiocarbon dates (Eriksson, 2004;Malmström et al., 2019;Norderäng, 2008;Skoglund et al., 2012;Skoglund, Malmström, et al., 2014;Wallin & Martinsson-Wallin, 2016), see Supporting Table S1. cultural spheres. ...
... Thirteen of these individuals originated from Västerbjers (Gothem parish) that comprised at least 50 graves (Janzon, 1974;Stenberger et al., 1943) and 8 individuals originated from Ajvide (Eksta parish) that comprised 85 burials (Burenhult;Wallin & Martinsson-Wallin, 2016;Österholm, 2008). One individual came from Ire (in Hangvar parish) and 3 individuals originated from the three burials excavated at Hemmor (När parish) (Janzon, 1974). ...
Objectives
In order to understand contacts between cultural spheres in the third millennium BC, we investigated the impact of a new herder culture, the Battle Axe culture, arriving to Scandinavia on the people of the sub‐Neolithic hunter‐gatherer Pitted Ware culture. By investigating the genetic make‐up of Pitted Ware culture people from two types of burials (typical Pitted Ware culture burials and Battle Axe culture‐influenced burials), we could determine the impact of migration and the impact of cultural influences.
Methods
We sequenced and analyzed the genomes of 25 individuals from typical Pitted Ware culture burials and from Pitted Ware culture burials with Battle Axe culture influences in order to determine if the different burial types were associated with different gene‐pools.
Results
The genomic data show that all individuals belonged to one genetic population—a population associated with the Pitted Ware culture—irrespective of the burial style.
Conclusion
We conclude that the Pitted Ware culture communities were not impacted by gene‐flow, that is, via migration or exchange of mates. These different cultural expressions in the Pitted Ware culture burials are instead a consequence of cultural exchange.
... Starting from c. 3200 cal BCE, during the beginning of the MN period, Gotland was also inhabited by sub-Neolithic groups from the Pitted Ware culture [PWC, c. 3300 to 2300 cal BCE] (Fig. 2B) (e.g. Janzon, 1974;Lithberg, 1914;Nihlén, 1927;Wallin, 2016;Wallin and Martinsson-Wallin, 2016;Österholm, 1989). Although, slightly older PWC dates are found in coastal eastern central Sweden (Björck, 2003). ...
... Which through more than 130 years of investigation has generated much information on the PWC (e.g. Bartholin and Burenhult, 1997;Brandt and Burenhult, 2002;Eriksson, 2004;Hansson, 1897;Hildebrand, 1887;Janzon, 1974;Lithberg, 1914;Martinsson-Wallin, 2008;Molnar, 2008;Nihlén, 1927;Norderäng, 2008;Wallin, 2016;Wallin and Martinsson-Wallin, 2016;Wallin and von Hackwitz, 2015;Österholm, 2008. Malmström et al. (2015Malmström et al. ( , 2010Malmström et al. ( , 2009) and Skoglund et al. (2014Skoglund et al. ( , 2012 presented the first direct insights into the genetic makeup of these two contemporary cultures in Sweden. ...
... The dating showed that the tomb was used from c. 3300 to 2700 cal BCE (Fig. 2). Thus, contemporaneous with the earlier phase of the PWC on Gotland that date between c. 3200-2300 cal BCE (Wallin and Martinsson-Wallin, 2016). The chamber was also reused during the LN period, as well as the secondary burial from the Iron Age (Section S1.3), which is in accordance with other MN megalithic TRB burials in Sweden (Eriksson et al., 2008;Fornander, 2011;Persson and Sjögren, 1995;Sjögren, 2003). ...
In recent years it has been shown that the Neolithization of Europe was partly driven by migration of farming groups admixing with local hunter-gatherer groups as they dispersed across the continent. However, little research has been done on the cultural duality of contemporaneous foragers and farming populations in the same region. Here we investigate the demographic history of the Funnel Beaker culture [Trichterbecherkultur or TRB, c. 4000–2800 cal BCE], and the sub-Neolithic Pitted Ware culture complex [PWC, c. 3300–2300 cal BCE] during the Nordic Middle Neolithic period on the island of Gotland, Sweden. We use a multidisciplinary approach to investigate individuals buried in the Ansarve dolmen, the only confirmed TRB burial on the island. We present new radiocarbon dating, isotopic analyses for diet and mobility, and mitochondrial DNA haplogroup data to infer maternal inheritance. We also present a new Sr-baseline of 0.71208 ± 0.0016 for the local isotope variation. We compare and discuss our findings together with that of contemporaneous populations in Sweden and the North European mainland.
The radiocarbon dating and Strontium isotopic ratios show that the dolmen was used between c. 3300–2700 cal BCE by a population which displayed local Sr-signals. Mitochondrial data show that the individuals buried in the Ansarve dolmen had maternal genetic affinity to that of other Early and Middle Neolithic farming cultures in Europe, distinct from that of the contemporaneous PWC on the island. Furthermore, they exhibited a strict terrestrial and/or slightly varied diet in contrast to the strict marine diet of the PWC. The findings indicate that two different contemporary groups coexisted on the same island for several hundred years with separate cultural identity, lifestyles, as well as dietary patterns.
... Ett faktum är att ca 80% av gravarna ligger på högst 1 meters avstånd från sin närmsta granne. Tydliga kopplingar mellan olika individer syns i anläggandet då gravar ofta lagts parallellt i relation till varandra etc. ( Wallin and Martinsson-Wallin 2016;Wallin 2016). ...
På Gotland finns flera stora mellanneolitiska begravningsplatser med ett stort antal begravda individer som placerats i olika positioner och orienteringar. I vissa fall har den dödes ben manipuleras efter den inledande begravningsritualen. Utöver själva kroppens behandling har individerna också tilldelats en stor variation av artefakter, vilket också komplicerar tolkningen av gravsammanhangen. En metod för att hantera komplicerade fyndsammanhang är användandet av multivarierad statistik där korrespondensanalysen som jag i föreliggande studie använt mig av, kan ses som ett redskap i förståelsen av komplexa sammanhang. Naturligtvis kan sådana metoder inte ge oss säkra svar, men de kan hjälpa oss vid jämförande analyser och ge indikationer på föreliggande likheter och skillnader. Dessa variationer kanobserveras i gravritualens praktik, som de efterlevande utförde, som utgör den för oss observerbara konstruktionen av den dödes identitet. Utgångspunkt i studien är det rika fyndmaterialet från den gropkeramiska lokaleni Ajvide på sydvästra Gotland.
... Som tidigare redovisats upplevs Gotlandsborna ha haft goda interregionala kontakter, vilket ledde till att flertalet exotiska föremål slutligen hamnade på ön. Gravar från tillskrivna GRK-lokaler som också 14 C-daterats (Janzon 1974;Eriksson 2004;Wallin & Martinsson Wallin 2016), visar att de exotiska föremålen som kommit från öst, väst och/eller norr, främst tillkom under MN A. Bland annat utifrån redovisade 14 C-dateringar på tidigare tillskriva GRK-lokaler samt det arkeologiska materialet (Palmgren 2014a), verkar det dock som om de interregionala influenserna under MN B främst kommer från Sydskandinavien, dock nyttjar även Gotlandsborna trindyxor under slutet av MN B (Nihlén 1924;Palmgren 2014b) i likhet med östkustens GRK. I början av MN B dyker den tidiga stridsyxekulturens och danska enkelgravkulturens ledartefakter upp på Gotland. ...
Stenåldern på Gotland har erbjudit arkeologin att ta del av ett stort material. De största gotländska stenåldersmaterialen har kommit från de lokaler som tidigare tillskrivits den gropkeramiska kulturen (GRK). Tack vare Gotlands goda bevarandeförhållanden som är en direkt konsekvens av jordens pH-nivå, återfinns idag ett omfattande välbevarat stenåldersmaterial. Under mellanneolitikum (MN) (ca 3300-2300 f.v.t.) återfinns de talrikaste materialen längs öns kuster bland GRK, men i inledningen av perioden återfinns även material från trattbägarkulturen (TRB) som främst huserade i det gotländska inlandet. Den mesta diskussionen som tidigare berört kulturer och MN på Gotland har konkluderat att det enbart rör sig om två kulturer på ön, d.v.s. TRB och GRK. På det södra svenska inlandet har det ansetts att stridsyxekulturen (STY) kom att ersätta TRB i inledningen av MN B (ca 2800 f.v.t.), men att kulturen aldrig fick fotfäste på Gotland. Denna artikel har som syfte att diskutera de tidigare slutsatserna och lyfta fram en annorlunda synvinkel att se på Gotlands sena mellanneolitiska material.
... Den undersökta ytan har genererat mycket stora mängder fyndmaterial, såsom 3000kg keramik, 2300kg ben, 212kg flinta samt närmare 10 000 inmätta fynd (Gustavsson 2015:8). Flertalet studier har utförts på lokalen och dess material, bland annat på keramiken samt olika delar av det osteologiska materialet, däribland gravarna, sälben, fiskben, fågelben (Burenhult 1997a, 1997b, 2002, Martinsson-Wallin & Wallin 2016, Wallin 2015, Mannermaa 2008, Molnar 2008, Olson 2008, Storå 2001, Österholm 1989). ...
Excavation report from investigations of the Pitted Ware site Ajvide, Eksta Parish on Gotland, Sweden. The excavations were undertaken in April 2017 with master students from Uppsala University.
... In the summer of 1986, the Archaeological Department of the University of Gotland, led by professor Inger Österholm, continued an archaeological field school excavation at the Middle Neolithic site of Ajvide (3200-2300 cal BC) (Wallin & Martinsson-Wallin 2015), situated on the island of Gotland in Sweden (Figure 1, AudioObject 1). Summer weather prevailed, and under the hot sun, the temperature in the pit, surrounded by open fields, rose to a relatively high degree. ...
... After hearing the loud soundscape at Vavle, it is not surprising that the Middle Neolithic occupation at Ajvide is not considered to be of a permanent nature. Because hearths, clear patterns of post-holes and other indications of dwellings are missing, the site appears to have been a temporary camp, used periodically for fishing and hunting (Norderäng 2008: 23;Wallin & Martinsson-Wallin 2015). The actual dwelling site may have been located farther inland. ...
... It appears as though the bones and artifacts in these so-called activity areas were trodden to pieces and vessels full of train oil boiled over (Österholm 2002a: 174-177), which must indicate an intensive and lively use. The activity areas appear to have been open, 150-200 m 2 large spaces, radiocarbon dated to 2600-2300 cal BC (Wallin & Martinsson-Wallin 2015). One of the areas has large quantities of seal bones and train oil, another area tight concentrations of boar and fish bones, also burnt bones possibly indicating foodrests (Österholm 2002a;Bergstedt 2012: 17-18, 29). ...
The rich and well-preserved osteological material from the archaeological complex of Ajvide, Gotland (3200‒2300 cal BC), provides favorable conditions for studying prehistoric sounds and soundscapes. Archaeological excavations at the site have uncovered tubular bone artifacts and concentrations of animal tooth pendants that resemble whistles and rattles, the earliest types of sound instruments. The remains of hunted animals, such as seals, boars, dogs and birds, provide a lively picture of the species that were present in the environment. This article aims to evoke the sonic experiences of the people utilizing the site of Ajvide and explore how these hunter-gatherers constructed and responded to their sonic environment. The results of the osteological, organological and soundscape analyses are presented in the form of a scholarly text, samples of studio and field recordings, and a soundtrack that fuses the results together into a nine-minute piece of sound art.
