Evidence of changing hunting practices in the south Norwegian highlands in the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age

Abstract

This paper will explore hunting as an economic factor by comparing activity from the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age (LN/EBA) ca. 2350–1500 BC with the previous Early Neolithic/Middle Neolithic (EN/MN) periods, ca. 4000–2350 BC. Situated in south Norway, the mountain areas of Hardangervidda and the adjacent Nordfjella serve as the study area with evidence of reindeer hunting from the Early Mesolithic to present day. An important question is whether the utilization of the mountain areas fluctuated during the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, and if so, why? Did the importance of hunting as an economic factor change after the transition to a more farm-based society in the LN/EBA? Was there an increase or decrease in the exploitation of mountainous resources? Through a diachronic analysis of settlement sites, these questions will be addressed to explore the role of hunting as part of the economy of agriculturally based societies in south Norway.