Trashed and treasured - Fossils in archaeological contexts in prehistoric Scania.

Sammanfattning: Humans have always been fascinated with and collected fossils, regardless of any pre-existing knowledge of their ancient origins. But, there is very little research on the subject, especially in Swedish archaeology. This thesis explores the relationship between people and fossils in prehistoric Scania through contextual analysis and the affordances of different fossilized organisms. What is revealed is a multifarious relationship with both continuity and changes throughout prehistory. The little research that has been published on the subject is expanded upon, and it is determined that fossils have held a place in the material cultures, practices and worldviews of people in the region from the Mesolithic to the Viking Age and beyond.