ARCAVE Excavation at Træna, Nordland

Fieldwork! We explored the coastal «Cathedral cave» in Træna and found bones from marine mammals, birds and fish.

Emma holding a fish vertebrae from the sieve.

We (Emma and Bastiaan) just spend a wonderful week in Træna helping Erlend Jørgensen with the ARCAVE excavation.

About ARCAVE

For thousands of years, humans have depended on marine ecosystems to provide food and raw materials. To keep relying on these resources in the future, the impacts of human activities must be understood and contained. The research project ARCAVE aims to provide a baseline of change for a North Atlantic coastal ecosystem, contributing to the historical perspective that is needed to determine the true magnitude of biodiversity loss and ecosystem changes.

Kirkhelleren

Kirkhelleren, the “cathedral cave”, is located on an island approximately 100 kilometers west of Mo i Rana. The large coastal cave contains rich stratigraphic deposits that likely span the entire Holocene. We found many many bones from marine mammals (mostly grey seals), birds and fish that we will analyze using ancient DNA.

While sieving we got to enjoy great weather, a spectacular environment and amazing company! We’ll be back next year!

Coast, water, sky, boat — Onboard the ferry, the ocean gradually opened up around us as we whizzed past skerries and red painted wood houses on our way to the outer islands.

Coast, islands, oceans, twilight — After a welcome dinner with project leader Erlend and PhD student Albane we decided to explore the island while the weather was still good.

Sunset, walk, horizon, ocean — The late sunset was perfectly timed for our evening walks. This time of year it was around 12 degrees Celsius both night and day, and in the ocean.

Collage, archeology, digging, sorting, bones — Our days started with a small hike to the cave, followed by excavation, sieving, and sorting the materials.

Published Sep. 7, 2021 10:30 AM - Last modified Mar. 12, 2024 12:34 PM