Encircling the living space of early postglacial reindeer hunters in the interior of southern Norway

Abstract

Seven tent rings, six evident and one analytically segregated, found on sites at Store Myrvatnet and Store Fløyrlivatnet in the mountains of SW Norway, are presented. C14-dated between c. 9600 and 9000 uncal. BP these range as the oldest dwelling structures so far known in Norway. The size, form, function and cultural-historical background of the tents used by the "Myrvatn-Fløyrlivatn group" of logistic-mobile reindeer hunters is tentatively interpreted in the light of ethnographical and archaeological data. Further studies will be needed to separate more precisely the different dwelling constructions and activity patterns expressed in the tent rings.