The significance of reindeer castration in the origins of domestication and human-reindeer relationships beyond the wild in Fennoscandia. An archaeological, osteological, and Traditional Knowledge perspective

Thesis event information

Date and time of the thesis defence

Place of the thesis defence

Lecture hall L2, University of Oulu

Topic of the dissertation

The significance of reindeer castration in the origins of domestication and human-reindeer relationships beyond the wild in Fennoscandia. An archaeological, osteological, and Traditional Knowledge perspective

Doctoral candidate

Master of Arts Mathilde van den Berg

Faculty and unit

University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Humanities, History, Culture and Communication Studies

Subject of study

Archaeology

Opponent

Professor of Archaeology Kristin Armstrong Oma, University of Stavanger

Custos

Professor of Archaeology Anna-Kaisa Salmi, University of Oulu

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The role of castration in the domestication of reindeer in Fennoscandia. Perspectives from archaeology, osteology, and Traditional Knowledge

This thesis adds to the existing literature on the origin and transformation of ancient human-reindeer relationships. The study looks at the cultural and practical importance of reindeer castration in a new way. It also considers how domestic human-reindeer relationships first might have started among the Indigenous Sámi people of Fennoscandia. This study combines the analysis of bone (growth), the record of Traditional Knowledge among modern reindeer herders, and the use of archaeological findings to investigate past and present practices and considerations of castration.

Article 1 tells us that castrating reindeer mainly affects their bone elements that stop growing later. It does this by making leg bones look more like those of female reindeer than male reindeer. Article 2 looks at the differences and similarities in the bones of female, castrated male and intact male domestic reindeer, as well as female and male wild Norwegian mountain reindeer and Finnish forest reindeer. Article 3 shows that castration is a complex practice that plays a key role in reindeer management and probably in the early human-reindeer relationships. This is because of how it affects behaviour and physique, but also because of its role in control and partnership.

Article 4 proves that reindeer castration was practised at the archaeological site of Markkina/Márkan, Enontekiö/Enodat. This was discovered when two castrated reindeer antlers were found. This research is important for understanding how reindeer herding communities share the same knowledge and for learning more about how reindeer were domesticated.

The study provides new and valuable insights into the practical, cultural, historical and scientific significance of reindeer castration and underlines its importance in human-reindeer relationships. Finally, this research makes it possible to study castration in the origins of other domestic species. It also highlights how important it is to carefully study the lives of individual animals to understand the ancient relationship between humans and animals.
Last updated: 5.9.2025