[fade]↑ Field drawing of site A2. E18 Tvedestrand-Arendal project, 2015[/fade]
The investigation of the site Kvastad A2 uncovered two distinct concentrations consisting of a total of 16,576 finds. Based on typological and technological grounds, the majority of the finds date to the late Early Mesolithic or the transition to the Middle Mesolithic, c. 8500–8000 BC. This is supported by the local shore-displacement curve. During the arguably short-term stays in this phase, the site was shorebound.
Certain elements in the assemblage demonstrate that the site was used also during the Middle Mesolithic. This is confirmed by three radiocarbon date-results within c. 7700–7000 BC. Due to the postglacial landrise the site was no longer shorebound at this stage, but still with an easy access to the sea. Additionally a number of later flint tools, such as a sickle, a fragmented dagger and several bifacially flaked arrowheads, were found. These finds are diagnostic of the Late Neolithic, c. 2000 BC. At this point the site was situated at a distance of c. 400 m from the sea, which indicates a different subsistence strategy than hunting and fishing along the seashores. This is supported by several Late Neolithic radiocarbon date-results obtained from burnt cereals found at the site.
Along with an analysis of a pollen core sampled from the adjacent Låmyra bog, which reflects the human impact on the vegetational history of the area, the data recorded from Kvastad A2 sheds new and important light on economic changes and early farming in the region.
(Source: G. Reitan, L. Sundström & J.-S. F. Stokke (in print): Grains of Thruth. Neolithic Farming on Mesolithic Sites. New Insights into Early Agriculture in Southeast Norway. / J.-S. F. Stokke & G. Reitan (in print), Kvastad A2 – A site with traces of cereal cultivation in the Middle and Late Neolithic as well as finds from the Early and Middle Mesolithic: In: G. Reitan & L. Sundström (ed.): The Stone Age of Aust-Agder county, South Norway. Archaeological excavations in connection with the new E18 Tvedestrand-Arendal. Oslo, Cappelen Damm.)
[fade]→ Sculpture of site A2 in cardboard and steel
Dimensions
90x90x50 cm[/fade]
