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Märgspaltning - matnyttigt om fragmentering

Stålberg, Karin LU (2025) HOSK04 20242
Historical Osteology
Abstract
Fragmentation from the extraction of bone marrow for consumption is a common
phenomenon in archaeological assemblages, because of the high fat content of bone marrow,
it was an important source of sustenance in prehistory. From the perspective of marrow
fracturing, analysis of these fragmented refuse materials gives insight into the general
strategies for harvesting bone marrow. The fragmentation can cause several problems that
affect our interpretation which shows the importance of contextual analysis. This study
compares an early medieval town site in south Sweden with a pre-Christian iron-age farm site
in the same area to show changes over time. A sample from this material, comprising 345
fragments with signs of marrow... (More)
Fragmentation from the extraction of bone marrow for consumption is a common
phenomenon in archaeological assemblages, because of the high fat content of bone marrow,
it was an important source of sustenance in prehistory. From the perspective of marrow
fracturing, analysis of these fragmented refuse materials gives insight into the general
strategies for harvesting bone marrow. The fragmentation can cause several problems that
affect our interpretation which shows the importance of contextual analysis. This study
compares an early medieval town site in south Sweden with a pre-Christian iron-age farm site
in the same area to show changes over time. A sample from this material, comprising 345
fragments with signs of marrow fracturing, was analysed to study what tools were used and
how the animals might have been utilized. The general outline of the strategies found is
presented, where much of the evidence points to a similar traditional agrarian subsistence
with the exception of the horse that ceased to be used for consumption at sites influenced by
Christianity. The shift from using a mixed set of tools in the iron age for marrow fracturing to
a more heavy reliance on the axe during medieval times is discussed and exemplified. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Stålberg, Karin LU
supervisor
organization
course
HOSK04 20242
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Marrow, fat, bone fragmentation, taphonomy, tools, utility, medieval, iron age, cooking, ben, märgspaltning, märg, märgklyvning, fragmentering, tafonomi, redskap, medeltid, järnålder
language
Swedish
id
9185926
date added to LUP
2025-05-07 14:34:24
date last changed
2025-05-07 14:34:24
@misc{9185926,
  abstract     = {{Fragmentation from the extraction of bone marrow for consumption is a common
phenomenon in archaeological assemblages, because of the high fat content of bone marrow,
it was an important source of sustenance in prehistory. From the perspective of marrow
fracturing, analysis of these fragmented refuse materials gives insight into the general
strategies for harvesting bone marrow. The fragmentation can cause several problems that
affect our interpretation which shows the importance of contextual analysis. This study
compares an early medieval town site in south Sweden with a pre-Christian iron-age farm site
in the same area to show changes over time. A sample from this material, comprising 345
fragments with signs of marrow fracturing, was analysed to study what tools were used and
how the animals might have been utilized. The general outline of the strategies found is
presented, where much of the evidence points to a similar traditional agrarian subsistence
with the exception of the horse that ceased to be used for consumption at sites influenced by
Christianity. The shift from using a mixed set of tools in the iron age for marrow fracturing to
a more heavy reliance on the axe during medieval times is discussed and exemplified.}},
  author       = {{Stålberg, Karin}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Märgspaltning - matnyttigt om fragmentering}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}