The Sea and Bronze Age Transformations

Abstract

Along the western Norwegian coast, in the northwestern region of the Nordic Late Neolithic and Bronze Age (2350-500 BCE) there is cultural homogeneity but variable expressions of political hierarchy. Although new ideological institutions, technology (e.g. metallurgy and boat building), intensified agro-pastoral farming and maritime travel were introduced throughout the region as of 2350 BCE, concentrations of expressions of Bronze Age elites are intermittently found along the coast. Four regions- Lista, Jæren, Karmøy and Sunnmøre - are examined in an exploration of the establishment and early role of maritime practices in this Nordic region. It is argued that the expressions of power and material wealth concentrated to these four regions is based on the control of bottlenecks, channels, portages and harbors along important maritime routes of travel. As such this article is a study of prehistoric travel, sources of power and maritime landscapes in the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age of Norway. The book in which this chapter was published is found at this link: http://www.sunypress.edu/p-6516-water-and-power-in-past-societi.aspx