Research Interests:
Research Interests: Archaeology, Medieval History, Zooarchaeology, Stable Isotope Analysis, Fisheries hISTORY, and 15 moreFisheries, Medieval Archaeology, Multidisciplinary, Historical Ecology, Medieval trade, Baltic archaeology, Europe, Carbon Isotopes, Animals, Ichthyoarchaeology, Gadus morhua, PLoS one, Nitrogen Isotopes, Bone and Bones, and Oceans and Seas
Research Interests: Archaeology, Geochemistry, Western Europe, Zooarchaeology, Stable Isotope Analysis, and 15 moreFish Remains (Zooarchaeology), Archaeological Science, Fisheries hISTORY, Medieval Archaeology, Medieval Europe, Viking Age Archaeology, Historical Ecology, Medieval trade, Stable Isotope, Ichthyoarchaeology, Gadus morhua, Marine Fish, Trade and Exchange in the Viking Age, North Sea, and Long Distance
This paper explores the potential of stable isotope analysis to identify the approximate region of catch of cod by analysing bones from medieval settlements in northern and western Europe. It measures the δ13C and δ15N values of cod bone... more
This paper explores the potential of stable isotope analysis to identify the approximate region of catch of cod by analysing bones from medieval settlements in northern and western Europe. It measures the δ13C and δ15N values of cod bone collagen from medieval control samples collected from sites around Arctic Norway, the North Sea, the Kattegat and the Baltic Sea. These data were considered likely to differ by region due to, for example, variation in the length of the food chain, water temperature and salinity. We find that geographical structuring is indeed evident, making it possible to identify bones from cod caught in distant waters. These results provide a new methodology for studying the growth of long-range trade in dried cod and the related expansion of fishing effort—important aspects of the development of commercialisation in medieval Europe. As a first test of the method, we analyse three collections of cod bones tentatively interpreted as imported dried fish based on a priori zooarchaeological criteria. The results tentatively suggest that cod were being transported or traded over very long distances since the end of the first millennium AD.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Geochemistry, Western Europe, Zooarchaeology, Stable Isotope Analysis, and 12 moreFish Remains (Zooarchaeology), Archaeological Science, Medieval Archaeology, Viking Age Archaeology, Stable Isotope, Fish Trade, Long Range, Water Temperature, North Sea, Food Chain, Long Distance, and Fishing Effort
A town excavation in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany allowed to study the late medieval town moats and their filling. Archaeobotanical analysis revealed well preserved waterlogged plant remains from domestic waste and the... more
A town excavation in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany allowed to study the late medieval town moats and their filling. Archaeobotanical analysis revealed well preserved waterlogged plant remains from domestic waste and the anthropogenic vegetation of the site during the 14th century. A special part deals with moss remains from the moats filling.
Archaeozoological finds were mainly fish remains giving evidence of medieval fishery and fish consumption.
Archaeozoological finds were mainly fish remains giving evidence of medieval fishery and fish consumption.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Geochemistry, Western Europe, Zooarchaeology, Stable Isotope Analysis, and 15 moreFish Remains (Zooarchaeology), Archaeological Science, Fisheries hISTORY, Medieval Archaeology, Medieval Europe, Viking Age Archaeology, Historical Ecology, Medieval trade, Stable Isotope, Ichthyoarchaeology, Gadus morhua, Marine Fish, Trade and Exchange in the Viking Age, North Sea, and Long Distance
Research Interests: Archaeology, Medieval History, Zooarchaeology, Stable Isotope Analysis, Fisheries hISTORY, and 15 moreFisheries, Medieval Archaeology, Multidisciplinary, Historical Ecology, Medieval trade, Baltic archaeology, Europe, Carbon Isotopes, Animals, Ichthyoarchaeology, Gadus morhua, PLoS one, Nitrogen Isotopes, Bone and Bones, and Oceans and Seas
This paper explores the potential of stable isotope analysis to identify the approximate region of catch of cod by analysing bones from medieval settlements in northern and western Europe. It measures the δ13C and δ15N values of cod bone... more
This paper explores the potential of stable isotope analysis to identify the approximate region of catch of cod by analysing bones from medieval settlements in northern and western Europe. It measures the δ13C and δ15N values of cod bone collagen from medieval control samples collected from sites around Arctic Norway, the North Sea, the Kattegat and the Baltic Sea. These data were considered likely to differ by region due to, for example, variation in the length of the food chain, water temperature and salinity. We find that geographical structuring is indeed evident, making it possible to identify bones from cod caught in distant waters. These results provide a new methodology for studying the growth of long-range trade in dried cod and the related expansion of fishing effort—important aspects of the development of commercialisation in medieval Europe. As a first test of the method, we analyse three collections of cod bones tentatively interpreted as imported dried fish based on a priori zooarchaeological criteria. The results tentatively suggest that cod were being transported or traded over very long distances since the end of the first millennium AD.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Geochemistry, Western Europe, Zooarchaeology, Stable Isotope Analysis, and 12 moreFish Remains (Zooarchaeology), Archaeological Science, Medieval Archaeology, Viking Age Archaeology, Stable Isotope, Fish Trade, Long Range, Water Temperature, North Sea, Food Chain, Long Distance, and Fishing Effort
Today’s Wadden Sea is a heavily human-altered ecosystem. Shaped by natural forces since its origin 7,500 years ago, humans gradually gained dominance in influencing ecosystem structure and functioning. Here, we reconstruct the timeline of... more
Today’s Wadden Sea is a heavily human-altered ecosystem. Shaped by natural forces since its origin 7,500 years ago, humans gradually gained dominance in influencing ecosystem structure and functioning. Here, we reconstruct the timeline of human impacts and the history of ecological changes in the Wadden Sea. We then discuss the ecosystem and societal consequences of observed changes, and conclude with management implications. Human influences have intensified and multiplied over time. Large-scale habitat transformation over the last 1,000 years has eliminated diverse terrestrial, freshwater, brackish and marine habitats. Intensive exploitation of everything from oysters to whales has depleted most large predators and habitat-building species since medieval times. In the twentieth century, pollution, eutrophication, species invasions and, presumably, climate change have had marked impacts on the Wadden Sea flora and fauna. Yet habitat loss and overexploitation were the two main causes for the extinction or severe depletion of 144 species (~20% of total macrobiota). The loss of biodiversity, large predators, special habitats, filter and storage capacity, and degradation in water quality have led to a simplification and homogenisation of the food web structure and ecosystem functioning that has affected the Wadden Sea ecosystem and coastal societies alike. Recent conservation efforts have reversed some negative trends by enabling some birds and mammals to recover and by creating new economic options for society. The Wadden Sea history provides a unique long-term perspective on ecological change, new objectives for conservation, restoration and management, and an ecological baseline that allows us to envision a rich, productive and diverse Wadden Sea ecosystem and coastal society.
Research Interests:
In the 5th millennium BC, Schleswig-Holstein stood between the fully Neolithic societies south and east of the river Elbe and the fisher-hunter-gatherer societies (the Ertebølle Culture) of southern Scandinavia. Contacts with the farming... more
In the 5th millennium BC, Schleswig-Holstein stood between the fully Neolithic societies south and east of the river Elbe and the fisher-hunter-gatherer societies (the Ertebølle Culture) of southern Scandinavia. Contacts with the farming cultures in the south are evidenced by imports such as pottery, Danubian stone axes and early copper axe-blades from southeastern Europe.
In Denmark and southern Sweden the beginning of food production was accompanied by the beginning of the Funnel Beaker Culture (TRB) around 4000/3900 BC. Along the Baltic coast of northern Germany, by contrast, agriculture can be tt·aced as far back in the Erteb0lle period as c. 4700/4600 BC. However, the economy was still largely based on hunting and fishing, carried out from large coastal settlements. Analyses of tools and pottery show that cultural contacts were oriented to both the northwest (Jutland) and the northeast (Zealand/Scania). Between 4100 and 3900 BC new ceramic types were introduced under influence from expansive agrarian cultures such as the early Michelsberg Culture and the post Stroke Ornament Pottery groups of the Gatersleben and Baalberge Cultures. At the same time hunting was becoming less important in comparison with farming. The large coastal settlements were abandoned and smaller units constructed instead.
In Denmark and southern Sweden the beginning of food production was accompanied by the beginning of the Funnel Beaker Culture (TRB) around 4000/3900 BC. Along the Baltic coast of northern Germany, by contrast, agriculture can be tt·aced as far back in the Erteb0lle period as c. 4700/4600 BC. However, the economy was still largely based on hunting and fishing, carried out from large coastal settlements. Analyses of tools and pottery show that cultural contacts were oriented to both the northwest (Jutland) and the northeast (Zealand/Scania). Between 4100 and 3900 BC new ceramic types were introduced under influence from expansive agrarian cultures such as the early Michelsberg Culture and the post Stroke Ornament Pottery groups of the Gatersleben and Baalberge Cultures. At the same time hunting was becoming less important in comparison with farming. The large coastal settlements were abandoned and smaller units constructed instead.
Research Interests:
"Today’s Wadden Sea is a heavily human-altered ecosystem. Shaped by natural forces since its origin 7,500 years ago, humans gradually gained dominance in influencing ecosystem structure and functioning. Here, we reconstruct the timeline... more
"Today’s Wadden Sea is a heavily human-altered ecosystem. Shaped by natural forces since its origin 7,500 years ago, humans gradually gained dominance in influencing ecosystem structure and functioning. Here,
we reconstruct the timeline of human impacts and the history of ecological changes in the Wadden Sea. We then discuss the ecosystem and societal consequences of observed changes, and conclude with management implications. Human influences have intensified and multiplied over time. Large-scale habitat transformation over the last 1,000 years has eliminated diverse terrestrial, freshwater, brackish and marine habitats. Intensive
exploitation of everything from oysters to whales has depleted most large predators and habitat-building species since medieval times. In the twentieth century, pollution, eutrophication, species invasions and, presumably, climate change have had marked impacts on the Wadden Sea flora and fauna. Yet habitat loss and overexploitation were the two main causes for the
extinction or severe depletion of 144 species (20% of total macrobiota). The loss of biodiversity, large predators, special habitats, filter and storage capacity, and degradation in water quality have led to a simplification
and homogenisation of the food web structure and ecosystem functioning that has affected the Wadden Sea ecosystem and coastal societies alike. Recent conservation efforts have reversed some negative trends by enabling some birds and mammals to recover and by creating new economic options for society. The Wadden Sea history provides a unique long-term perspective on ecological change, new objectives for conservation, restoration and management, and an ecological baseline that allows us to envision a rich, productive and diverse Wadden Sea ecosystem and coastal society."
we reconstruct the timeline of human impacts and the history of ecological changes in the Wadden Sea. We then discuss the ecosystem and societal consequences of observed changes, and conclude with management implications. Human influences have intensified and multiplied over time. Large-scale habitat transformation over the last 1,000 years has eliminated diverse terrestrial, freshwater, brackish and marine habitats. Intensive
exploitation of everything from oysters to whales has depleted most large predators and habitat-building species since medieval times. In the twentieth century, pollution, eutrophication, species invasions and, presumably, climate change have had marked impacts on the Wadden Sea flora and fauna. Yet habitat loss and overexploitation were the two main causes for the
extinction or severe depletion of 144 species (20% of total macrobiota). The loss of biodiversity, large predators, special habitats, filter and storage capacity, and degradation in water quality have led to a simplification
and homogenisation of the food web structure and ecosystem functioning that has affected the Wadden Sea ecosystem and coastal societies alike. Recent conservation efforts have reversed some negative trends by enabling some birds and mammals to recover and by creating new economic options for society. The Wadden Sea history provides a unique long-term perspective on ecological change, new objectives for conservation, restoration and management, and an ecological baseline that allows us to envision a rich, productive and diverse Wadden Sea ecosystem and coastal society."