Plant Remains as Sources to Cultural History in Southeast Norway

Abstract

Plant remains are valuable sources for cultural history. Humans and animals live inextricably together with plants. This article investigates how a large dataset of botanical macrofossils can give insights into cultural history in southeastern Norway in the period 400 BC– AD 400. In this period, iron was introduced in the production of weapons and tools, which led people to change practices in their interaction with nature. Farming is dependent on a great variety of environmental resources for cultivation and the gathering of food, medicine, and fodder. By combining archaeological and botanical data from 40 localities from Viken and Innlandet counties this article investigates the macrofossil diversity within the localities, as well as the regions they belong to. All archaeobotanical finds from the localities have been systematized and analyzed quantitatively. The results reveal patterns in regional biodiversity as well as a representation of species in structures and features in archaeological sites.