Sámi bear graves - results from archaeological and zooarchaeo- logical excavations and analyses in the Swedish part of Sápmi
This contribution deals with a specific ritual expression among the Sámi, the bear grave.Brown bears were sacred in the Sámi society. They were hunted, killed, and then consumed duringa feast. All bones of the killed bear were afterwards collected and carefully buried. At present, in theSwedish part of Sápmi, we have evidence of definite Sámi bear graves going back in time for onethousand years. TThis contribution deals with a specific ritual expression among the Sámi, the bear grave. Brown bears were sacred in the Sámi society. They were hunted, killed, and then consumed during a feast. All bones of the killed bear were afterwards collected and carefully buried. At present, in the Swedish part of Sápmi, we have evidence of definite Sámi bear graves going back in time for one thousand year
