What is it about?
In 2008 and 2010, two immediately pre-viking ship burials were discovered near Salme on the island of Saaremaa, Estonia. Excavations recovered 41 human skeletons , together with artefacts including swords and antler hair combs. Isotopic analyses of the bones suggests an origin in Sweden. Here we analyse Salme's collection of 12 combs, from various perspectives. In form and ornament, the best parallels come from the area around Lake Mälaren in Sweden. Biomolecular analyses show the combs to be made of elk and reindeer antler, which suggest contact both with the Mälar region and, perhaps indirectly, with areas further to the north.
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Photo by Arvid Høidahl on Unsplash
Why is it important?
This unique site offers a sort of pre-echo of the Viking Age, and as such provides a window onto the kinds of movement and interaction that was taking places just before 'vikings' really appeared on the scene.
Perspectives
This was a wonderful opportunity to bring together traditional techniques of artefact study with leading-edge biomolecular laboratory analyses, to say important things about an incredible sight. It shows how careful study of artefacts can throw important light on big questions.
Dr Steven P Ashby
University of York
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: ANTLER COMBS FROM THE SALME SHIP BURIALS: FIND CONTEXT, ORIGIN, DATING AND MANUFACTURE, Estonian Journal of Archaeology, January 2020, Estonian Academy Publishers,
DOI: 10.3176/arch.2020.1.01.
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