Home by the Sea : Exploring Traditions of Dwelling Reoccupation and Settlement Stability among Marine Foragers in Norway and Tierra del Fuego

Abstract

We explore relations between dwelling traditions and settlement stability among marine foragers in Aukra, Central Norway, by a comparison with two other coastal areas with abundant and welldocumented sites, and very different long-term settlement histories: The Beagle Channel in Tierra del Fuego and Varanger in North Norway. Just as there is no simple continuum between mobile andsedentary societies, there is no simple way to match certain dwelling types with specific settlement patterns. Cross-cultural comparisons help us not to take our interpretations for granted. These are our main general observations: 1) Dwelling remains that appear similar may result from very different practices and processes. 2) Change in mobility levels is not a one-way-process, and has no obvious end. 3) Growing societal attachment to specific sites is not a necessary premise for dwelling reoccupation. Visible dwelling remains may function as "space attractors" across time and traditions, causing repeated settlement in the same spot. 4) Similarities in lifestyles are not limited to societies that move in similar ways, by similar frequencies.