Environment, Archaeology and Radiocarbon Dates

Notes from the Inari Region, Northern Finnish Lapland

Authors

• Christian Carpelan

Abstract

This paper presents an attempt in correlating the Holocene environmental development with the archaeological phases in the lnari region, northern Finnish Lapland, based on radiocarbon dates. The paper begins with a brief review of the Holocene environment in lnari ( Lake lnarijärvi, vegetation, fauna). The archaeological topics include a discussion on early human presence, a review of the Stone Age in lnari (the Mesolithic, Sär I Ware, Kierikki Ware) and a presentation of special problems concerning the older Early Metal Age in lnari and the whole of northern Fennoscandia (periodization and terminology, Lovozero Ware, North Scandinavian Impressed Ware). Every now and then archaeologists mention the 'old wood effect' on radiocarbon dates of charcoal from fire places although they don't make serious efforts to find out to what degree this is a real problem and if so how to settle it. This paper ends with a short discussion of the matter and a tentative suggestion in the light of cases from Inari.