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In Sundfjaera midtre 10 dwellings
from
Late Stone Age were found. In the upper part
of the site we have an activityarea dated to Early
Stone Age. In addition several fireplaces, cleared
areas, possible graves and other structures have
been localised. Four teams have been excavating
here, these were led by Tori Falch, Kristel Solevåg,
Rolf Liahjell Bade and Theo Gil.
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Dwellings from Sundfjaera
midtre. For the untrained eye, it can be difficult
to recognize the dwellings. They appear as weak depressions
in the ancient beach. Characteristic for the dwellings
is that the back walls are dug into the slope while
the front walls are based on the natural topography
and therefore are not that visible. Around some of
the dwellings we have localised what we percieve to
be the foundations for posts that originally supported
the roof and the front wall. Inside the dwellings
one or two fireplaces are present. These appear as
concentrations of ashes, charcoal and firecracked
stones.
The pictures above, from left:
Dwelling 6; a weak depression in the ancient beach,
in the center larger rocks and concentrations of charcoal.
Inner floorarea is flatter and more compact.
Dwelling 5; back wall is sharply dug into the ancient
beach, front wall runs along the natural topography.
The slope in front of the dwelling is packed with
fireckracked stones. These have been removed from
the fireplaces inside the house when it has been cleaned.
Inner floorarea is flat and has large amounts of ashes
and charcoal.
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Dwelling 2; back wall is dug into
the ancient beach, the remaining walls are less marked,
the front wall least visible. Two concentrations of
charcoal indicate the presence of two fireplaces.
Towards west a depression that can represent an entrance
or a smaller room. In the upper right part of the
dwelling excavation has begun.
Unn, Kjersti, and Natalia are digging
in the eastern part of dwelling 6. The work is often
wet and muddy.
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Excavation in Sundfjaera
nedre. Since the dwellings are situated close
together, we are specially interested in the chronological
and functional relation between the different structures.
Therefore, profiles stretching over several dwellings
are established.
The pictures above, from left:
Field supervisor Tori documents the eastern profile
of dwelling 6. The profile runs through a concentration
of stones which has the shape of a small mound. This
shape, and the finding of an amber pearl, leads us
to presume this structure to be a grave.
The trench runs from the back wall of dwelling 3
in the upper part of the picture to the front wall
of dwelling 6 in the lower part of the picture. The
excavation is done by removing 5 cm thick layers quadrant
by quadrant. Each layer is documented separately,
before the remaining profile wall is documented throug
drawings, photos and scientific samples.
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Amber pearls from Sundfjaera
midtre.
The pictures above, from left:
The two first pearls which were found. They were
found in connection with a structure that most probably
is a grave. Amber is very rare in Northern Norway,
and the pearls, or the person who owned them, must
have travelled far. The pearls most probably originate
from the Baltic or Denmark. Since the charcoal found
in context is not yet dated, we cannot determine the
absolute age of the pearls. Based on height above
sealevel and other finds done close by, we can estimate
the age to be 6000 BP, i.e. Late Stone Age.
Another pearl, here photographed in situ. With the
largest as the exception,
the pearls from Sundfjaera are either oval or round,
but all are beautifully shaped and have rich colour
nuances.
The pearls must be treated carefully and kept wet
to avoid dehydration and cracking. Compare the colour
on the picture to the right and the one on the picture
to the left. Only a few minutes exposure to sun and
air leads to degration of colour and drying. The pearls
are now in Tromsoe Museum for conservation.
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Back to Sundfjaera |
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