Unraveling the Secrets of the Sea: Neolithic Scandinavians and Their Skin Boats
The history of maritime travel in Scandinavia is rich and complex, a story woven from tales of hardy Vikings and their magnificent longships. However, long before the Vikings sailed the seas around 800 CE, a different group of people—the Pitted Ware Culture (PWC)—inhabited southern Scandinavia, leaving behind tantalizing hints of their own seafaring prowess. While it’s long been known that these Neolithic people, who thrived from around 3500 BCE to 2300 BCE, had a seafaring tradition, the exact type of boats they used has been a subject of debate. Now, archaeologists believe they have an answer: these ancient people likely built boats with animal skin frames, similar to the umiaks constructed by the Inuit.
A Puzzle of Pieces: The Search for the PWC Boats
The scarcity of intact boat remains from the era has presented a considerable challenge to understanding the PWC’s maritime capabilities. But recent research, spearheaded by Mikael Fauvelle of Lund University in Sweden, suggests that the answer may lie in the careful piecing together of circumstantial evidence.
In a paper published in the Journal of Maritime Archaeology, Fauvelle and his team presented compelling arguments, drawing from multiple sources, to support their theory that PWC boats were built with animal skin frames. This theory, although not definitive, is based on the following key pieces of evidence:
1. Boat Fragments with Telltale Features: Researchers have discovered fragments of boats in Sweden with rounded bottoms and lashing holes, suggesting a construction technique where skins were tied to a frame. While the exact age of these fragments is uncertain, they offer a glimpse into the potential boat types used during the PWC period.
2. Rock Art as a Window to the Past: Scandinavian rock art, found in areas inhabited by or bordering the PWC territory, provides a visual record of their culture and activities. Among the images of whales, seals, and fish, researchers have identified etchings of boats with stick figures of people standing. This upright posture is commonly associated with skin boats, as opposed to the seated position typically observed in canoes. Furthermore, some of these boats are depicted with elk-headed bows, which may have served as harpoon rests, a feature reminiscent of those found on umiaks.
3. The Power of Seal Oil: Analysis of PWC sites has revealed abundant amounts of seal oil, a material particularly well-suited for waterproofing skin boats. This finding further strengthens the theory of skin boats, suggesting their use in the PWC’s maritime activities.
4. The Maritime Diet: PWC sites also contain remnants of seals and Atlantic cod, indicating a diet that relied heavily on marine resources. The capture of these animals would have required boats capable of venturing far from shore, further supporting the use of sturdy and seaworthy vessels like skin boats.
Challenging the Conventional Wisdom: Skin Boats versus Logboats
While the evidence points strongly towards the use of skin boats, it doesn’t rule out the possibility of the PWC using canoe-like boats dug out of trees, known as logboats. However, researchers argue that skin boats, due to their inherent flexibility and durability, would have been better suited for the demanding tasks of long-distance and open ocean travel.
Fauvelle emphasizes this point, stating, "Compared to logboats, we argue in the paper that skin boats would have been better for long distance and open ocean transport."
The PWC may have employed both types of boats, but likely reserved logboats for activities closer to shore, while using skin boats for their more challenging nautical endeavors.
The PWC’s Legacy: Navigating Trade, Raiding, and the Dawn of a Maritime Tradition
The discovery of skin boats sheds new light on the PWC and their maritime capabilities. It suggests that this Neolithic culture may have been far more advanced in their seafaring skills than previously assumed. The use of skin boats, particularly those designed for long-distance travel, could have facilitated trade and cultural exchange between different communities along the Scandinavian coastline.
It also implies that the PWC may have engaged in raiding activities, a practice historically associated with later Viking groups. These early Scandinavians, equipped with their seaworthy skin boats, could have ventured out to explore new territories, establish trade networks, or engage in conflict.
The adoption of skin boats by the PWC could have been a crucial step in the development of Scandinavian maritime traditions. These boats, with their flexibility, maneuverability, and capacity for carrying larger loads, provided an advantage for coastal exploration, fishing, and trade, ultimately paving the way for the later exploits of the Vikings.
The Challenges of Unearthing a Lost History
While the evidence presented in Fauvelle’s paper paints a compelling picture of the PWC’s use of skin boats, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges in definitively proving this theory. The absence of written records from the PWC period leaves a significant gap in our understanding of their culture and maritime practices.
Fauvelle acknowledges this limitation, stating that "it may be impossible to ever conclusively prove they used skin boats." However, the weight of circumstantial evidence, coupled with the practicality of skin boat technology for the PWC’s known activities, presents a compelling case for their use.
The ongoing research into the PWC’s maritime history will continue to reveal fascinating insights into the lives of these ancient Scandinavians and their remarkable achievements in navigating the seas. Their story reminds us that the history of maritime travel is far richer and more complex than we often realize, filled with unexpected discoveries and challenging mysteries waiting to be unraveled.
