Capitalism in Central Norrland, Sweden, during the Iron Age

Abstract

The authors challenge the opinion that a traditional hunter-gatherer culture existed during the Iron Age in the forested interior of central Norrland (En. Northern Sweden). Two new and several earlier pollen analyses together with osteological finds from domestic animals confirm that extensive forest grazing was widespread throughout the interior. The distribution of iron slag deposits suggests that iron production is a key factor to understanding the society in the area. The modes of subsistence, the low-technology ironwork, and a common conceptual world as reflected in the graves on the coast and in the interior can be viewed as elements of an early capitalistic system.

Keywords

• Vegetation history
• pollen analysis
• land use
• forest grazing
• animal husbandry
• iron production