The purpose of this research project is to create new methodology for identification and interpretation of past and present animal domestication, with a case study pertaining to reindeer domestication among the
indigenous Sámi in northern Fennoscandia. Identification of early animal domestication is complicated as it is anticipated that human control is limited over the animals’ life cycle. This leads to difficulties in interpreting morphological and genetic data, as well as in using traditional concepts and definitions of domestication. These problems are especially pressing in the study of past reindeer domestication, as human control over the reindeer’s life cycle has been, and still is, very limited, complicating the application of traditional methods and concepts. However, understanding reindeer domestication is important to local communities as well as to the scientific community due to the central role of human-reindeer relationship as a carrier of culture and identity among many peoples, including the Sámi of Northern Fennoscandia, as well as because of the wider relevance of the results for human-animal studies.
The project focusses on interactional events between humans and animals as indications of domestication taking place. The project will create methods aimed at identifying interactional events such as draught use and feeding, between reindeer and humans. Draught use of reindeer will be examined with physical activity reconstruction, which entails the examination of draught-related changes and stress markers on reindeer bone. Reindeer feeding practices will be accessed through the examination of stable isotope values as well as skeletal changes related to feeding behavior. The methodological package is novel in domestication studies. Participatory ethnography among reindeer herders will be conducted to examine the current understanding of personhood and agency of domesticated reindeer, which will help to conceptualize past understandings of human-domesticate relationships. The new methodological package will then be applied to archaeological reindeer bone finds. Ultimately, the results will be used to examine changing human-animal relationships among the indigenous Sámi.
