The possibilities of osteology in historical Sámi archaeology

Life and livelihood at the 18th-century Ohcejohka Sámi market site

Authors

• Eeva-Kristiina Harlin

Abstract

This paper presents the archaeological material from a historical Sámi market site in Ohcejohka. The site was in use already in 1640 when annual markets were held in the area, and the Ohcejohka church was erected at the site in 1701. The excavated material derives from two traditional Sámi huts, goahti. The find material is quite typical for 17th–19th-century Sámi sites, and the main find group consists of unburned animal bones. The animal bones are analysed and questions of livelihood are discussed.