The role of elk (Alces alces) in the Dutch Bronze Age. Between wild and domestic?

Brusgaard, N.Ø.; Aal, J.; Dijk, J.van

doi:doi:10.59641/nn278qz

The Eurasian elk (Alces alces), the largest extant deer species in Europe, was once an impressive fixture of the Dutch ecosystem. Archaeological evidence has shown that it was not until the Middle Ages that the elk was extirpated in the Netherlands and many other European countries, due to overhunting, deforestation, and wetland redevelopment (Jensen et al. 2020; Schmölcke & Zachos 2005; Walch 2000a). Despite being an indigenous animal, not much is known about the elk’s existence in the Netherlands nor its relationship with humans. The last study on elk stems from over 20 years ago (Walch 2000a; 2000b). Since then, there has been an exponential increase in excavations in the Netherlands, yielding rich faunal records. While few in absolute terms, elk remains are relatively common in the Dutch archaeological record. Moreover, the discovery of three young elk skeletons deposited in a Bronze Age well, a unique find for Dutch – and possibly northern European – archaeology, provides...Show moreThe Eurasian elk (Alces alces), the largest extant deer species in Europe, was once an impressive fixture of the Dutch ecosystem. Archaeological evidence has shown that it was not until the Middle Ages that the elk was extirpated in the Netherlands and many other European countries, due to overhunting, deforestation, and wetland redevelopment (Jensen et al. 2020; Schmölcke & Zachos 2005; Walch 2000a). Despite being an indigenous animal, not much is known about the elk’s existence in the Netherlands nor its relationship with humans. The last study on elk stems from over 20 years ago (Walch 2000a; 2000b). Since then, there has been an exponential increase in excavations in the Netherlands, yielding rich faunal records. While few in absolute terms, elk remains are relatively common in the Dutch archaeological record. Moreover, the discovery of three young elk skeletons deposited in a Bronze Age well, a unique find for Dutch – and possibly northern European – archaeology, provides an opportune starting point to explore past human-elk relationships. In this article, we investigate the role of elk in the Dutch Bronze Age (2000-800 BCE). We focus on this period not only due to this unique deposition but also because this period has yielded the most elk finds. This makes it an intriguing period for the study of human-elk relationships. Furthermore, wild animals are often neglected in the study of farming societies, with the emphasis being instead on domesticates. This research is part of a broader project on elk in the Dutch Holocene.
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The role of elk (Alces alces) in the Dutch Bronze Age. Between wild and domestic?