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In connection with the archaeological explorations in the damned-up water basin Aursjøen, a series of finds have been made this summer, the most significant of which were the four so-called “row-hearths”. These are particular to Sami culture, and probably date from Viking times or the Middle ages. Similar rows of hearths have previously been found from the Saltfjellet mountain and further north (Storli 1994). It is assumed that these settlements date from a period of combined hunting and herding, when the main emphasis was on hunting, but some reindeer were kept for milk production, as draught animals and to attract other reindeer.
The fire hearths, called “aernie” in Southern Sami, are rectangular with one stone placed as an extension to one of the short sides. This stone symbolises a special consecrated place in the lawo or turf hut, and indicates the place where the Sami magic drum (the “runebom”) was kept. There is no sign of the embankments typical to mud huts, indicating that this was a summer residence. The four hearths probably do not represent the simultaneous presence of four lawa, but rather seasonal returns to the location.
It is the first time that such rows of hearths have been found in southern Norway, and the finds demonstrate that the Samis lived in these mountainous areas at the same time as villages were being built in the valleys. It is therefore reasonable to assume that both Samis and Norse farmers reaped from the tremendously rich resources constituted by the reindeer. |
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