The Use of Mineral Raw Materials in Lithic Knapping in Stone Age Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland

Authors

• Teemu Mökkönen
• Kerkko Nordqvist

Abstract

Although quartz predominates in Stone Age knapped assemblages in Finland, the selection of raw materials was not similar throughout the period. This article takes a closer look at the choice of lithic raw materials in Northern Ostrobothnia (Finland) during the 6th–3rd millennia calBC. It demonstrates that changes in lithic raw materials and other cultural development, including pottery production, do not always go hand in hand. A comparison of Northern Ostrobothnia with the Lake Saimaa area shows that there are certain similarities in lithic assemblages (raw material use and technology) during some cultural phases despite the different local raw material base, although diverging trends and regional variation can also be identified.