Sv Arkeologen möter bävern

Aspekter på en ambivalent bekantskap

Abstract

A few examples of archaeological approaches to the beaver (Castor fiber L.) are given. A main source of inspiration is The Coles’ extensive archaeological record material and research on the beaver in Britain’s past, on which they established the beaver as a significant agent in prehistory. A small number of various south Scandinavian Mesolithic locales are focused. For comparison and contrast, records and interpretations from other disciplines are included. The bottom line of the paper is that Scandinavian archaeology has an unexplored potential in studies of beaver materialities. This concerns approaches to beavers’ connections with humans in social formations. It also concerns inclusion of the beaver and its materialities in landscape and environmental archaeology, as well as in cultural heritage and in historical and contemporary archaeology.