The ancient use of Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) inner bark by Sami people in northern Sweden, related to cultural and ecological factors

A multidisciplinary study of use by Sami people of Pinus sylvestris L. (Sco ts pine) inner bark was performed in northern Sweden. We combined linguisti c, historical and archaeological records with ecological data collected fro m field studies to investigate important cultural and ecological factors as sociated with previous use of bark. Our data from bark peeled trees at 313 sites were used to describe patterns in space and time in the landscape. Si tes with bark peeled trees were mainly found in the central and northern pa rt of Lapland (65 degrees 00'-68 degrees 14'N). Large numbers of barked tre es were found in undisturbed forests in national parks and reserves but few were Found in forests under commercial management. The dendroecological an alysis revealed a continous use of inner bark from A.D. 1450 to 1890. Large sheets of bark were taken from trees in the spring, prepared and stored as a staple food resource. Inner bark was eaten fresh, dried or roasted. Smal ler bark peelings were used for the wrapping of sinews. The cessation of ba rk use in the 19th century was driven by several Factors, but the availabil ity of other products that could replace traditional use of bark was specif ically important. The previous common and varied use of bark, the great age of Sami terminology and a possible association with archaeological remains of potential great age indicate that peeled bark was used long before the historic period. Our study also focused on the ongoing loss of culturally-m odified trees in forests outside protected areas.