Primitive Humans in Scandinavia Used Boats Made Up of Animal Skins in 3500 BC, Study Suggests
A recent study indicates that the Pitted Ware Culture (PWC), a group of Neolithic hunter-gatherers in ancient Scandinavia, likely built boats from animal skins, particularly seal hides. These boats were essential for their survival, as they depended on fishing, seal hunting, and maritime travel between 3500 and 2300 BC. The PWC inhabited regions near the Baltic and North Seas, where the sea played a vital role in their daily activities. Large quantities of seal bones found at their sites highlight their reliance on seal hunting.
Seal Hides for Boats
Mikael Fauvelle, a researcher from Lund University, explained that seals were not only a food source but also provided materials for boat construction. The hides, along with oil extracted from seal blubber, were likely used to create durable watercraft. Archaeologists have discovered traces of seal oil inside pottery, confirming the significance of this material. The boats, made from seal hides, were sturdy enough for long-distance sea travel, essential for hunting, fishing, and trade.
Seafaring and Long-Distance Trade
The PWC needed boats capable of covering large distances, such as journeys between Gotland and Åland. Seal-hide watercraft were ideal for these voyages, as alternatives like hollowed-out log canoes wouldn’t have sufficed. These boats could have transported up to a dozen people and animals, facilitating trade and hunting expeditions.
Evidence from Art and Fragments
Though physical evidence of these boats is rare, rock art and small fragments found in northern Sweden provide clues. Some rock carvings depict boats with harpoon rests resembling animal heads. These drawings, along with frame fragments, suggest that the PWC were highly skilled in boat-building and seafaring technology, enabling them to navigate and survive in their maritime environment.
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