Abstract

Medieval reindeer exploitation in northern Norway is examined via a bone assemblage excavated by Dr Knut Odner at Gaeligccevaj'njar'ga 244 B on the Varanger Fjord. Reindeer was by far the most important animal. The reindeer are likely to have been wild because (a) most were adult when they died—not what is expected for domestic animals—and (b) more tentatively, skeletal element representation resembles a transported assemblage. The few sheep present may have been milked, and could therefore have replaced milching reindeer.