Kvinnan från Österöd

– ett tidigmesolitiskt skelett från Bohuslän

Abstract

In this paper we describe the find of an early Mesolithic skeleton from Österöd, Bro parish, in central Bohuslän. The skeleton was originally found in 1903 by diggers in a shell bank, but was only recovered in 1933 by Johan Alin. In 2007, 14C analysis of a tooth produced the date 9025±65 BP uncalibrated, making the skeleton one of the oldest known from Scandinavia. Osteological determinations show that the bones are from a woman of old age, at least 60 and probably 84–88 years old. Her stature can be estimated to about 170 cm. Although the bones are fragmented, all body parts are represented, and the body was most likely intact when interred. We interpret the find as a grave, possibly in a sitting position. Interestingly, the δ13C value of -18.0 ‰ indicates only a moderate intake of marine protein, in spite of the location of the site in a highly marine environment.