Human demography research in grounded on the information derived from ancient DNA and archaeology. For example, the study on the early postglacial dual-route colonisation of the Scandinavian Peninsula is largely based on associating genomic data with the early dispersal of lithic technology from the East European Plain. However, a clear connection between material culture and genetics has been lacking. Here, we demonstrate that direct connection by analysing human DNA from chewed birch bark pitch mastics. These samples were discovered at Huseby Klev in western Sweden, a Mesolithic site with eastern lithic technology. We generated genome-wide data for three individuals, and show their affinity to the Scandinavian hunter–gatherers. Our samples date to 9880-9540 calBP, expanding the temporal range and distribution of the early Scandinavian genetic group. We propose that DNA from ancient mastics can be used to study environment and ecology of prehistoric populations.

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The aim of this paper is to present a dynamic approach to material culture that may inform new perspectives on large-scale hunter-gatherer interactions and migrations within Early Holocene northern Eurasia. Recent analyses of technological aspects on a large geographical scale, challenge previous research hypotheses that derive the Mesolithic of Norway from a purely West European late Palaeolithic tradition, and highlights the existence of cultural traits which were shared by a wide range of hunter-gatherers within northern Eurasia in the Holocene. A new technological concept for lithic blade production, referred to as the conical core pressure blade concept, can be traced in the Norwegian archaeological record from the Preboreal/Boreal transition. It is suggested that the introduction of the concept represents the first migration of people and technological knowledge from the eastern Russian plains and the Baltic into the north-westernmost part of Europe. Yet, there have been few attempts to discuss the Norwegian archaeological record in relation to such an eastern cultural tradition. In the following exploration of how the hypothesis relates to the Norwegian archaeological record, results from technological analysis of previously only preliminarily surveyed blade assemblages from southeastern Norway will be presented and discussed against conceptions of the principles of technological transmission and change.