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In Search of Cloudstones? The Contribution of Charismatic Rocks Towards an Understanding of Mesolithic and Neolithic Communities in the Montane Regions of South Norway

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2020

Astrid J. Nyland*
Affiliation:
Museum of Archaeology, University of Stavanger; NO-4036 Stavanger, Norwayastrid.j.nyland@uis.no

Abstract

This paper discusses whether a consideration of the capacity of rocks to affect humans in terms of their charisma or object-agency can aid in understanding identified variation in patterns of lithic procurement, distribution, and use. Lithic assemblages at sites dating to both the Late Mesolithic and Early Neolithic in two separate areas of the central mountain plateau in southern Norway demonstrate use of locally available rock. Their use contrasts with that of flint which could only be sourced at the coast. While the use of flint in regions with a restricted range of available and suitable rock types is understandable, the presence of flint in regions rich in flint alternatives is more puzzling. In order to understand the choices and actions of prehistoric communities we must consider other factors, such as a sensorial exploration of the ability of raw materials to affect humans, together with the diverging ontological perspectives that shape human–material relations and the social situations of practice. This paper argues that, in addition to their straightforward utility, lithic raw materials had socially situated object-agency and inherent characteristics of charisma and that these exerted powerful influences on human choice, perception, and preference.

Résumé

RÉSUMÉ

Ala recherche des pierres de nuage? Contribution des rochers charismatiques à la compréhension des coumunautés mésolithiques et néolithiques des régions montagneuses du sud de la Norvège, de Astrid J. Nyland

Cet article discute la question de savoir si une considération de la capacité des rochers à affecter les humains en termes de leur charisme ou objet agence peut aider dans la compréhension de variations identifiées dans les schémas de procurement, de distribution et d’utilisation lithiques. Les assemblages lithiques sur deux sites séparés datant à la fois du Mésolithique final et du début du Néolithique dans deux zones du plateau montagneux central de la Norvège du sud mettent en évidence l’utilisation de roches disponibles localement. Leur usage est en constraste avec celui du silex qu’on ne pouvait se procurer que sur la côte. Tandis que l’utilisation du silex dans les régions avec une gamme limitée de types de roches disponibles et appropriées est compréhensible, la présence de silex dans les régions riches en alternatives au silex est plus troublante. De manière à comprendre les choix et les actions des communautés préhistoriques nous devons prendre en considération d’autres facteurs tels qu’une exploration sensorielle de l’abilité des des matières premières à affecter les humains ainsi que les perspectives ontologiques divergentes qui donnent forme aux relations humains-matériaux et les situations sociales de pratiques Cet article argumente qu’en plus de leur utilité immédiate, les matières pemières lithiques avaient ddu-objet-agence situé ssocialement et des caractéristiques inhérentes de charisme et que celles-ci exerçaient de puissantes influences sur les choix,la perception et les préférences humaines.

Zusammenfassung

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG

Auf der Suche nach Wolkensteinen? Der Beitrag charismatischer Felsen zur Erforschung mesolithischer und neolithischer Gemeinschaften in der Gebirgsregion von Südnorwegen, von Astrid J. Nyland

Dieser Beitrag diskutiert, ob eine Erörterung der Fähigkeiten von Gesteinen, auf Menschen durch ihr Charisma oder durch ihre Objekt-agency einzuwirken, zu einem Verständnis bekannter Unterschiede in der Art der Gewinnung, Verbreitung und Nutzung von Gesteinen beitragen kann. Anhand von lithischem Material von zwei Fundplätzen zweier getrennter Regionen des zentralen Gebirgsplateaus in Südnorwegen, die jeweils ins späte Mesolithikum und frühe Neolithikum datieren, lässt sich die Nutzung lokal verfügbarer Gesteine aufzeigen. Ihre Nutzung kontrastiert mit jener von Feuerstein, der nur an der Küste gewonnen werden konnte. Während die Nutzung von Feuerstein in Regionen mit begrenzter Auswahl an verfügbaren und brauchbaren Gesteinstypen nachvollziehbar ist, ist das Vorhandensein von Feuerstein in Regionen mit großer Auswahl an Alternativen zu diesem Material überraschend. Um die Entscheidungen und Handlungen prähistorischer Gemeinschaften zu verstehen, müssen wir andere Faktoren in Betracht ziehen, wie eine sensorische Erkundung der Fähigkeit der Rohmaterialien Menschen zu beeinflussen, und ebenso die divergierenden ontologischen Perspektiven, die Mensch-Material-Beziehungen bestimmen, und die soziale Situierung von Praktiken. Dieser Beitrag spricht sich dafür aus, dass lithische Rohmaterialien neben ihrer unmittelbaren Nützlichkeit auch eine sozial situierte Objekt-agency und inhärente Merkmale von Charisma besaßen, und dass diese starken Einfluss nahmen auf menschliche Entscheidungen, Wahrnehmungen und Vorlieben.

Resumen

RESUMEN

¿En busca de las cloudstones? La contribución de las rocas carismáticas a la comprensión de las comunidades Mesolíticas y Neolíticas en las regiones montanas del sur de Noruega, por Astrid J. Nyland.

En este artículo se discute si la capacidad de las rocas para afectar a los humanos en términos de carisma o de acción-objeto puede ayudar a comprender la variación identificada en los patrones de abastecimiento, distribución y uso del material lítico. Los conjuntos líticos procedentes de dos yacimientos arqueológicos datados en el Mesolítico Final y en el Neolítico Antiguo en dos áreas separadas de la cadena montañosa central en el sur de Noruega demuestran el uso de las rocas disponibles en el entorno local. Su uso contrasta con el del sílex, que sólo puede obtenerse en la zona de costa. Aunque el uso del sílex sigue unas pautas comprensibles en regiones donde la disponibilidad y aptitud de rocas es restringida, su aprovechamiento en regiones ricas en otras rocas alternativas es más desconcertante. Para comprender las elecciones y acciones de las comunidades prehistóricas es necesario considerar otros factores, como la exploración sensorial de la capacidad que tienen las materias primas de influir en los humanos, junto con las perspectivas ontológicamente divergentes que modelan las relaciones humano-materia y las situaciones sociales en que se llevan a la práctica. Este artículo sostiene que, además de su utilidad directa, las materias primas líticas asientan socialmente tanto la relación acción-objeto como su inherente carácter carismático, y que ambos ejercen una poderosa influencia en la selección, la percepción y las preferencias humanas.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© The Prehistoric Society, 2020

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