I yxornas spår : Analys av fyndplatser och bosättningsmönster i södra Värmland

Sammanfattning

This study looks at changes in settlement patterns during period between late mesolithic and early neolithic in southern Värmland, Sweden, using axes. The study uses axes and their locations, which are provided by Värmlands Museum in the form of shapefiles. By using QGIS, the locations are analysed in relation to soil, elevation data, waterways, and shoreline models. The results show a continuation of the connection between axe finds and waterways during the transition to the neolitic. The soil analysis shows no significant difference from the mesolitihic to the neolithic, as coarse-grained soils makes up the majority, alongside a notable amount of fine-grained soils. This suggests that soil in relation to settlement locations continued to not be a dominant factor in the Early Neolithic. Taken together, the indications point towards a continuation of life concentrated to the shore, and a life built on hunter-gatherer. The study is of the opinion that the neolithisation of southern Värmland is to be looked at as a delayed process, with differing intesity and introduction happening in different steps. The potential of stray finds as a analytical tool is discussed in relation to context, representativity, and the underlying datasets and their reliability.