Lina Mire, Gotland, is an area of archaeological significance and has a complex history of shoreline displacement. Archaeologists suspect that Lina Mire was once part of an important inland water system which connected the Littorina Sea with central Gotland. This study investigates vegetational and palaeoenvironmental changes of the Lina Mire area between 6900 – 400 BC (8850 – 2350 cal years BP) in order to better understand how the area has developed and how humans have impacted the vegetation. Pollen analysis, C/N ratios, organic matter and carbon content measurements were conducted. The chronology was based on 14C AMS dating of terrestrial macrofossils and bulk sediments. A transgression of the Littorina Sea at about 6550 BC (8500 cal years BP) inundated the Lina Mire basin, which was a lake at the time. The onset of cultivation was indicated by the presence of Hordeum (Barley or Wild Barley) during the Late Neolithic, 2630 BC (4580 cal years BP). Hordeum continued to grow during the Bronze Age when Cereals appeared at about 970 BC (2920 cal years BP). During the onset of cultivation during the Late Neolithic, the Lina Mire basin was a bay of the Littorina Sea. The Lina Mire basin remained connected with the Littorina Sea until isostatic uplift caused it to become isolated at about 1870 BC (3820 cal years BP). The lake overgrew and became a mire about 820 BC (2770 cal years BP).

Hardy, J. 2017. The Archaeology of Mediation. A tourist route around Lina mire? Lina mire in the northeast of Gotland, is situated in a unique cultural landscape, with an abundance of archaeological remains and ancient monuments. The areas surrounding Lina mire include the parishes Gothem, Hörsne med Bara and Vallstena. These environments carry stories from the past which can take people walking there over 8000 years back in time. Having been identified by researchers as an important part of Gotlands cultural heritage, the surroundings of Lina and it´s rich history, are still left out to be seen in the eyes of the public. Either many of the monuments have been rather neglected, or the landscape has changed so much during time, that a lot of archaeological sites, such as ancient graves and settlements, now are invisible. In ancient times the wetlands and mires on Gotland (Lina mire being the largest) were important for fishing, hunting and haymaking. Today only 5 % of the wetlands remain due to draining and cultivation. This essay is part of a larger research project, called In Tjelvars Footsteps, conducted by Uppsala University/Campus Gotland. The aim is to investigate how the archaeology and history could be mediated in these landscapes, and whether there would be an interest in creating a tourist route around Lina mire or not. The research has been conducted by making ten interviews with locals and ten interviews with professionals. The analysis show that there is a great interest among both groups to mediate the cultural heritage of Lina mire. Concerns and problems that must be solved before building a tourist route are discussed and innovative ideas are lifted. The main, overall opinion is that the producers of the tourist route need to establish a good contact with the local landowners from the very beginning. Otherwise the project will not be realized. / I Tjelvars Fotspår