Umeå University's logo

This thesis is about factors contributing to the settlement-patterns along the river of Luleälven in Norrbotten, Northern Sweden during the Mesolithic era. The sites have been dated using mostly typology. The aim of this thesis is to investigate alternative variables, such as soil types, for location selection for settlements and other sites along the Lule River.

The analysis of relative sunlight over the settlements show support to earlier established settlement-patterns. The analysis of soil under the settlement shows a trend between settlement-types and the type of soil beneath it. The possible reasons behind this are discussed in the essay: Settlement-patterns, economical and manufacturing, localization of hunting grounds.