Activity reconstruction of Rangifer tarandus feet in Fennoscandian -archaeology: Methodological considerations and application to archaeological material from two Sámi habitation sites

This study explores the presence and prevalence of working Rangifer tarandus tarandus (domestic reindeer) through entheseal changes present in Rangifer tarandus phalanges at the Sámi habitation sites of Juikenttä and Nukkumajoki, located in Finland and dating from the 14th to the 18th centuries.

Modern samples (n = 23 phalanges, Rangifer tarandus fennicus; n = 60 phalanges, Rangifer tarandus tarandus non-working; n = 72 phalanges, Rangifer tarandus tarandus working) with known life histories. Archaeological samples (n = 22 phalanges, Juikenttä; n = 118 phalanges, Nukkumajoki).

We analysed entheseal changes on the first and second phalanges of both the thoracic and pelvic limbs. The minute movements of reindeer feet create entheseal changes which are specific to different activity patterns. This analysis was compared to the results obtained from long-bone analysis.

Our results show the presence of working reindeer at both sites and are consistent with previous analysis of the long bones found at the site.

This archaeological application of phalangeal entheseal changes suggests that reindeer phalanges may be used to assess both the presence and proportion of working animals in an assemblage.

This study provides more evidence for the use of working reindeer as early as the 14th century in Northern Finland. This work also helps to provide archaeological evidence for Sámi subsistence patterns, as well as proving new tools for zooarchaeological assessment.

Small sample size and taphonomy may affect assessment. Additionally, entheseal changes take time to envelope and may under-represent the number of working reindeer.

Assessment of additional modern and archaeological samples.