LIVE REINDEER-HUNTING CULTURES – INTERNAL ORGANISATION, TYPOLOGY/STYLE-DEVELOPMENT
Channel: European Association of Archaeologists
Date: 28/03/2021

On the basis of fieldwork with the Evenk culture in Siberia and supplementing literature studies, some general features of such cultures will be outlined. Generally, there is a worrying difference between live reindeer-hunting cultures and the synthetic ‘cul-ture constructs’ archaeological analysis is based on. One focus will be on the individual culture’s internal variation as well as unity with  regard  to  typology,  style,  linguistic  details,  and  taste  down  to  the  small-scale  level  in  some  cases  within  one  household.  Another focus will be on a central force behind this dynamic system which is the creation and maintenance of personal and group identity at all scale levels. A third focus will be on the interaction different groups from the clan level and up, including some terri-toriality issues such as changing clan-territories, strategies for collecting information about ‘foreign areas’, and the exploitation of new areas. One part of the explanation of the difference between archaeological and live reindeer-hunting cultures can be that ephemeral materials (skin, fur, bark, wood, bone, etc.) are preferred for dynamic social signaling as opposed to the generally well-preserved lithics which are much more difficult to vary.


Author(s):  Grøn,  Ole  (Dept.  of  Geosciences  and  Natural  Resource  Management,  Univ.  of  Copenhagen)  -  Klokkernes,  Torunn  (Culture&Preservation)