Shearing Through Time - Biomolecular Insights into Late Iron Age and Viking Age Sheep Husbandry and Wool Production in Denmark

PhD defence by Jonas Holm Jæger

Assessment Committee

Associate Professor Elsa Yvanez, Saxo institute, University of Copenhagen (Chairperson)
Associate Professor Marcello Mannino, Aarhus University
Associate Professor Stella Macheridis, Sydsvensk Arkeologi AB and Lund University

Supervisor

Professor Eva Andersson Strand

Department

SAXO-Institute - Archaeology, Ethnology, Greek & Latin, History

Place

Building: 23, Room: 23.0.49, Emil Holms Kanal 6, 2300 København S

Email address to gain access to the thesis: jonash@palaeome.org.
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Short description of the thesis

How were sheep managed as textile production became increasingly important in Late Iron Age and Viking Age Denmark? The thesis combines zooarchaeology, landscape and textile archaeology with palaeoproteomics, stable isotopes and ancient DNA. Integrating these approaches provides insights into sheep husbandry, diet, landscape use and population history. Rather than pointing towards specialised wool production, the results reveal flexible, multi-purpose husbandry systems adapted to varied resources and environments. The thesis shows how biomolecular archaeology can offer perspectives on sheep husbandry and social and economic transformations in Viking Age Denmark.