Sámi bear graves - results from archaeological and zooarchaeo- logical excavations and analyses in the Swedish part of Sápmi
(2023) In The Archaeology of Northern Europe 3. p.548-586- Abstract
- This contribution deals with a specific ritual expression among the Sámi, the bear grave. Brown bears were sacred in the Sámi society. They were hunted, killed, and then consumed during a feast. All bones of the killed bear were afterwards collected and carefully buried. At present, in the Swedish part of Sápmi, we have evidence of definite Sámi bear graves going back in time for one thousand years. This article mainly deals with the knowledge about bear graves from archaeology and zooarchaeology. A typical Sámi bear grave consists of all the bones of one buried bear individual, but of no other animal species. The bones have been split for marrow. The burial was erected close to a newly built hut, and the construction of the grave was... (More)
- This contribution deals with a specific ritual expression among the Sámi, the bear grave. Brown bears were sacred in the Sámi society. They were hunted, killed, and then consumed during a feast. All bones of the killed bear were afterwards collected and carefully buried. At present, in the Swedish part of Sápmi, we have evidence of definite Sámi bear graves going back in time for one thousand years. This article mainly deals with the knowledge about bear graves from archaeology and zooarchaeology. A typical Sámi bear grave consists of all the bones of one buried bear individual, but of no other animal species. The bones have been split for marrow. The burial was erected close to a newly built hut, and the construction of the grave was elaborate. Artefacts were rarely deposited in the grave. New radiocarbon dates are presented here. The bone material is used to find out more about the traditions surrounding the burying of the bear. Weapons and hunting injuries are described. Further, the location of bear graves in relation to other human constructions is discussed. To some extent historical sources are also dealt with. Ideas for future work are suggested. (Less)
- Abstract (Swedish)
- This contribution deals with a specific ritual expression among the Sámi, the bear grave.
Brown bears were sacred in the Sámi society. They were hunted, killed, and then consumed during
a feast. All bones of the killed bear were afterwards collected and carefully buried. At present, in the
Swedish part of Sápmi, we have evidence of definite Sámi bear graves going back in time for one
thousand years. This article mainly deals with the knowledge about bear graves from archaeology and
zooarchaeology. A typical Sámi bear grave consists of all the bones of one buried bear individual, but
of no other animal species. The bones have been split for marrow. The burial was erected close to a
newly built hut, and the... (More) - This contribution deals with a specific ritual expression among the Sámi, the bear grave.
Brown bears were sacred in the Sámi society. They were hunted, killed, and then consumed during
a feast. All bones of the killed bear were afterwards collected and carefully buried. At present, in the
Swedish part of Sápmi, we have evidence of definite Sámi bear graves going back in time for one
thousand years. This article mainly deals with the knowledge about bear graves from archaeology and
zooarchaeology. A typical Sámi bear grave consists of all the bones of one buried bear individual, but
of no other animal species. The bones have been split for marrow. The burial was erected close to a
newly built hut, and the construction of the grave was elaborate. Artefacts were rarely deposited in the
grave. New radiocarbon dates are presented here. The bone material is used to find out more about
the traditions surrounding the burying of the bear. Weapons and hunting injuries are described. Fur-
ther, the location of bear graves in relation to other human constructions is discussed. To some extent
historical sources are also dealt with. Ideas for future work are suggested.
s. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/ec7897e5-429a-445c-8b07-9a9100d28fad
- author
- Iregren, Elisabeth LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2023
- type
- Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- samisk kultur, Sami culture, björngrav Bear grave, björnjakt Bear hunting, historisk osteologi Zooarchaeology, arkeologi Archaeology, Sámi culture, bear grave, bear hunting, zooarchaeology, archaeology
- host publication
- Bear and Human : Facets of a Multi-Layered Relationship from Past to Recent Times, with Emphasis on Northern Europe - Facets of a Multi-Layered Relationship from Past to Recent Times, with Emphasis on Northern Europe
- series title
- The Archaeology of Northern Europe
- editor
- Grimm, Oliver
- volume
- 3
- pages
- 548 - 586
- publisher
- Brepols
- ISSN
- 2736-7436
- 2511-8285
- ISBN
- 978-2-503-60611-8
- 978-2-503-60613-2
- DOI
- 10.1484/M.TANE-EB.5.134349
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- ec7897e5-429a-445c-8b07-9a9100d28fad
- date added to LUP
- 2026-01-14 11:09:50
- date last changed
- 2026-01-23 16:31:39
@inbook{ec7897e5-429a-445c-8b07-9a9100d28fad,
abstract = {{This contribution deals with a specific ritual expression among the Sámi, the bear grave. Brown bears were sacred in the Sámi society. They were hunted, killed, and then consumed during a feast. All bones of the killed bear were afterwards collected and carefully buried. At present, in the Swedish part of Sápmi, we have evidence of definite Sámi bear graves going back in time for one thousand years. This article mainly deals with the knowledge about bear graves from archaeology and zooarchaeology. A typical Sámi bear grave consists of all the bones of one buried bear individual, but of no other animal species. The bones have been split for marrow. The burial was erected close to a newly built hut, and the construction of the grave was elaborate. Artefacts were rarely deposited in the grave. New radiocarbon dates are presented here. The bone material is used to find out more about the traditions surrounding the burying of the bear. Weapons and hunting injuries are described. Further, the location of bear graves in relation to other human constructions is discussed. To some extent historical sources are also dealt with. Ideas for future work are suggested.}},
author = {{Iregren, Elisabeth}},
booktitle = {{Bear and Human : Facets of a Multi-Layered Relationship from Past to Recent Times, with Emphasis on Northern Europe}},
editor = {{Grimm, Oliver}},
isbn = {{978-2-503-60611-8}},
issn = {{2736-7436}},
keywords = {{samisk kultur, Sami culture; björngrav Bear grave; björnjakt Bear hunting; historisk osteologi Zooarchaeology; arkeologi Archaeology; Sámi culture; bear grave; bear hunting; zooarchaeology; archaeology}},
language = {{eng}},
pages = {{548--586}},
publisher = {{Brepols}},
series = {{The Archaeology of Northern Europe}},
title = {{Sámi bear graves - results from archaeological and zooarchaeo- logical excavations and analyses in the Swedish part of Sápmi}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1484/M.TANE-EB.5.134349}},
doi = {{10.1484/M.TANE-EB.5.134349}},
volume = {{3}},
year = {{2023}},
}