Working with reindeer:methods for the identification of draft reindeer in the archaeological record

• Main Authors: Salmi, A.-K. (Anna-Kaisa), Niinimäki, S. (Sirpa), Puolakka, H.-L. (Hanna-Leena)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Archaeological Society of Finland 2020
• Subjects: biomechanics; entheseal changes; palaeopathology; physical activity reconstruction; reindeer; Arctic; saami
• Online Access: http://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi-fe202101192095

Abstract Draft and cargo reindeer were an efficient means of transportation for the Saami. The use of draft reindeer allowed the efficient movement of people and their belongings in the arctic landscape without roads. The use and training of draft reindeer led to a close working relationship between humans and animals. Working reindeer were companions to the Saami in their daily tasks and the training of an individual reindeer for several years created a companionship between the reindeer and the trainer. Recent developments in zooarchaeology offer the possibility to identify working reindeer in the archaeological record. New methods broaden the scope of interpretation of archaeological reindeer bone finds from Saami sites, especially the interpretations of the relationships between the Saami and the reindeer in the past. This paper presents some of the recent developments in zooarchaeological methodology, such as the development of muscle attachment site scoring for reindeer, as well as the identification of working-related pathological lesions on reindeer skeletons, and the use of bone cross-sections in the physical activity assessment of reindeer.