Subneolithic

The Subneolithic is an archaeological term used to describe transitional cultures. These groups lived between the Mesolithic and the Neolithic periods. They occupied parts of Scandinavia and north-eastern Europe. This era lasted from roughly 5000/4000 BCE to 3200/2700 BCE. While Neolithic neighbors began practicing agriculture, Subneolithic societies mostly relied on hunting, gathering, and fishing. However, they adopted some Neolithic elements, such as the use of pottery. Most of these groups were sedentary, meaning they lived in permanent settlements rather than moving constantly.

Sedentism, or staying in one place, was a major feature of this period. In coastal areas like Ostrobothnia, groups moved toward more permanent lifestyles. This change happened because certain environments provided abundant resources. For example, estuary fishing provided a steady food supply. Staying in one place also allowed for collective labor. This cooperation was necessary to exploit complex resources effectively. As populations grew, these groups established more permanent dwellings and secondary structures.

One of the most important types of shelter was the pit-house. These were dwellings built partially into the ground. For a long time, researchers thought Finnish Stone Age pit-houses were always circular. However, excavations at the Kuorikkikangas site in Finland changed this view. Archaeologists found a rectangular pit-house dating to 2600–2300 BCE. It measured approximately 5 by 6.5 meters internally. The house featured two entrances and two separate fireplaces. This layout suggests that two households might have shared the space. It also indicates a division of labor between men and women.

Fishing technology was highly advanced and central to Subneolithic culture. Groups used both passive and active fishing methods. Passive fishing involved using lath screen weirs. These were fences made of wooden slats used to direct fish into traps or nets. In some regions, people used nets alone or attached them to these screens. Active fishing required more direct effort. Hunters used spears and tools called leisters. A leister is a multi-pronged spear used for catching specific animals. In Finland and Šventoji, leisters had broad wooden prongs designed specifically for catching eels.

Woodworking skills were essential for creating fishing gear. In Poland, the Zedmar culture used wood to build gangboards. These were scaffolding structures made of tree trunks, poles, and stones. Some gangboards were built across shores, while others floated, fixed to lake bottoms. They also created fish cages using standardized wooden slats. These slats were stripped longitudinally from tree trunks. At the Szczepanki site, researchers found that these slats were made of pine. Pine wood is resinous, which helped protect the live fish from being eaten by otters.

Dietary patterns show that Subneolithic people exploited many different habitats. At Šventoji, stable isotopic analysis of human bones reveals a diet heavy in freshwater fish. They also ate seal and various land animals. Common fish included pike, rudd, bream, perch, zander, and wels catfish. Marine species like flounder and cod were also consumed. On land, they hunted elk, boar, beaver, and even brown bears. The Zedmar culture in Poland had an even wider variety. They ate aurochs, horse, wild cat, badger, and many types of forest birds.

To survive the winter, these groups developed food storage economies. They used pits in house floors and above-ground warehouses to keep food. Evidence for this comes from salmon remains found at various sites. These remains often consist of vertebrae and ribs but lack head bones. This suggests that people were storing specific meat-bearing portions of the fish. They likely used methods like sun-drying, air-drying, smoking, or fermenting. These techniques allowed them to maintain a steady food supply during harsh seasonal changes.

Subneolithic technology also included specialized weaponry. They crafted harpoons and points from osseous materials, which means bone or antler. These materials were often sourced from elk or other large mammals. To make these tools, they used techniques like whittling, scraping, and grinding. They also used a "groove and splinter" technique to shape the points. These tools were vital for both hunting terrestrial animals and catching fish in deep water. This combination of skilled woodworking and bone tool production shows a complex and resourceful society.