Sticky structures and opportunistic builders - The construction and social role of longhouses in northern Norway

Abstract

The longhouse has been a turning point for research on prehistoric farming societies in Scandinavia for several decades. Yet, no comprehensive study has been made of this house type and its context, variations and social implications in the Far North. In this chapter, we present the currently available longhouse material within the three northernmost counties of Norway. The 50 longhouses that have been excavated within the administrative district of Tromsø University Museum are discussed in more detail. Our survey shows both similarities to and some intriguing variations from the longhouses in other areas of Norway and the rest of Scandinavia, concerning the chronology of various house types, building details and farm layout. All these aspects are obviously related to the particularities of the environmental, cultural and sociopolitical context in the north. However, the results are preliminary, as more thorough studies are needed, as well as more excavations employing current methodologies such as mechanical topsoil stripping, to ensure representative data.