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Scandinavians Were Building Advanced Boats Way Before the Viking Era
The Neolithic Pitted Ware Culture (PWC), which thrived in Scandinavia around 3500–2300 BC, has long fascinated archaeologists due to its reliance on marine resources, particularly seals, while surrounding cultures shifted towards farming. New research suggests that the PWC may have used skin boats for their long-distance trade, travel, and seal hunting, offering insights into the advanced maritime technology of prehistoric Scandinavia.
The Pitted Ware Culture and Its Maritime Focus
According to a new study published in the Journal of Maritime Archaeology:
“hunter-gatherer societies of the PWC were highly adapted to maritime environments, and they fished, hunted, travelled, and traded across great distances over water. Exactly what boat types they used, however, is still an open question.”
Originating from the east, the PWC settled in modern-day Sweden, Denmark, and Finland during the Early and Middle Neolithic periods. Named for their distinctive pottery marked by deep, circular pits, the PWC was notable for their reliance on the sea, explains a Phys.org report on the study.
Unlike other Neolithic communities in Europe, which gradually embraced agriculture, the PWC remained focused on hunting and fishing. This marine specialization required efficient boats to navigate the Baltic Sea and its surrounding waterways, yet few boat remains have been found.
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