Article2003

Society and Violence in the Early Bronze Age: An Analysis of Human Skeletons from Nord-Trøndelag, Norway

32 citations0/0 files storedNorwegian Archaeological Review

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Ancient and Medieval Archaeology Studies Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies Historical and Archaeological Studies

Abstract

In 1968, a large collection of human bones was excavated at a site located at Sund, Inderøy, Nord-Trøndelag. Radiocarbon dating showed the find to be from the Early Bronze Age. Between 20 and 30 individuals could be isolated -- half of them children -- and evidence of violent trauma indicated that the find was unusual. The only artefact in the find was a simple bone pin. Close to Sund is the large burial site of Toldnes, which has produced some of the richest Bronze Age finds from Norway. The skeletal materials from Sund and Toldnes have been compared and additional analyses from other Early Bronze Age burials used in order to understand what happened at Sund and its relationship to the Toldnes burials. The osteological analyses indicate a community in distress, ridden by long-term starvation, malnutrition and parasites as well as repeated violent encounters. The osteological evidence, in addition to archaeological analyses of weapons and society from England, Denmark and Sweden, suggests a society with a segment of specialized warriors. The constant possibility of violence and war may have acted like moral glue -- structuring the society and ensuring the power and status of the governing forces.

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References

1999Human Skeletal Remains: Excavation, Analysis, Interpretation 1997Bioarchaeology 1988Specialization, Exchange and Complex Societies.1972Digging up bones 2003Anthropology of Violence and Conflict 2000European Societies in the Bronze Age 1942The Cheyenne Way: Conflict and Case Law in Primitive Jurisprudence 2002Ancient Warfare: Archaeological Perspectives

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