Hedningahällan : Landscape, location choice and phenomenology

The Neolithic site Hedningahällan has, with its large amount of mixed ceramics and unique location on top of a steep rock face, been subject to a number of studies. This paper explores factors that may have motivated the location choice based on the landscape features. To investigate Hedningahällan from a landscape perspective could assist to provide a base for more directed and broader research questions alike. The main focuses of location choice factors that are the advantages of an elevated position. This is examined via Individual Distance Viewshed analysis which measures the ability to recognise and identify humans in a given topography, potential overview and availability of game animals and fish found. The study recreating the plausible past environment as well as the phenomenological experience of the landscape in combination with viewshed-analysis. The outcomes of the GIS-results are compared to four other Neolithic coastal settlements with finds of ceramics. Hedningahällan was located on a headland in a small, protected archipelago. The environment was likely an excellent habitat for many marine animals and fish as well as some land animals, however the elevated location of Hedningahällans does not seem primarily got get a good overview of game habitat. It does on the other hand provide a good overview of the surrounding landscape, especially towards the ocean, and that could have facilitated to identify humans that was closing in from the sea. Several Neolithic coastal settlements occur in connection to distinct rock formation such as erratic blocks or eye-catching cliffs, and although Hedningahällan is located upon exposed bedrock, its appearance is like that of a large erratic block. The area included in its viewshed also contains several impressive cobble fields. Phenomenological, contemporary, and ethnological analogies show that distinct rock features can hold emotional, mythological, and practical meanings