Archaeo-faunal aspects of bog finds from Hassleberga, southern Scania, Sweden

In recent years, small bogs at Hassleberga in southwestern Scania have been turned into crayfish ponds after the removal of the organic sediments. Bones and antlers were noticed in the excavated material and have been systematically collected. The finds include reindeer of both sexes and of different ages. Bones of wild horse, elk, arctic hare and arctic fox were also identified. Radiometric dating shows that the bones from these species were accumulated in the small bogs during the period from late Allerod to late Younger Dryas. It is of special interest that modifications interpreted as being caused by humans have been identified on bones from reindeer and horse. In contrast, artefact finds from any Late Palaeolithic settlement appear to be limited. Among the finds there is a piece of worked reindeer antler. A small number of flint artefacts show the characteristics of Late Palaeolithic tools. The finds at Hassleberga might provide evidence for a very special type of kill site used during the winter. When the ice melted in spring, the remains sank down to the bottom of the kettle holes. The location of Hassleberga gives us a hint of the landscape and its use by man during the Late Palaeolithic. (Less)