From cetaceans to artefacts. Whale bone analysis for understanding early coastal settlements in Iceland and northern Norway

This paper was presented at the YRA Workshop 2026 in Reykjavík.

Whale-bone manufacturing provides insight into human–cetacean interactions in early North Atlantic coastal societies, shaping ecological knowledge, resource use, craft practices, and environmental adaptation.This study examines whale-bone artefacts and worked specimens from Icelandic and northern Norwegian coastal sites, focusing on the Settlement Period and Iron Age–Viking Age (500–1050 AD). Using a comparative framework, it reassesses the role of whale bones within dynamic coastal environments where sustained human-cetacean interactions occurred.
The methodology integrates zooarchaeological and material-culture approaches with theoretical perspectives. Digital documentation, statistical analysis, and morphological studies are combined with archaeometric methods, including ancient DNA (aDNA), while also evaluating the potential of collagen analysis (ZooMS), stable isotope analysis, and radiocarbon dating. These approaches support species identification, assess past biodiversity and marine environments, and improve archaeological interpretation.
The results demonstrate that whale-bone manufacturing was deeply embedded in coastal lifeways, reflecting adaptive strategies influenced by environmental conditions, seasonal availability, and cultural practices. These findings align with broader patterns of Norse expansion and adaptation to Iceland, emphasizing the importance of cetaceans in early settlement economies. By applying innovative analytical methods, this study contributes to both cultural heritage research and marine environmental history, highlighting the long-term ecological significance of human-cetacean interactions.

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