Zooarchaeological Implications for Prehistoric Distributions of Seabirds along the Norwegian Coast

Abstract

Northern gannets Sula bassana and northern fulmars Fulmarus glacialis were first documented to breed in Norway during the present century. Skeletal remains of gannets and fulmars uncovered at Norwegian archaeological sites have been dated from c7000-800 BP and from 30 000-400 BP respectively. Most gannets occurred in Norwegian waters earlier than did most fulmars. Recovered fulmar bones greatly outnumber those of gannets, a pattern consistent with relative abundances in Norwegian waters today, but one that might also reflect differential accessibility and/or prey preferences of previous coastal inhabitants. Proportionally more of the fulmar material was uncovered at proportionally more sites in N Norway, findings consistent with current species' distributions, and with speculation of similar oceanographic conditions in previous millenia.