Stalotomter i Vilasund

It was Ernst Manker who in the 1950s invented the name stalotomter to fit his theory that this type of ancient remains originated from the stalos in the Sami sagas. Today, however, there is nothing to support Manker's theory about the stalotomts. They are probably the remains of temporary huts used for hunting wild reindeer. Stalo plots are usually located in groups of 3-7 plots high up in the upper mountain forest. Each plot is oblong or oval, up to 6 m long and 5 m wide. The floor surface is buried about 10 cm and surrounded by a low embankment. In the center of the floor is usually a hearth. The plots are dated from 500 AD to the 16th century. A few meters south of the plots are two smaller pits reminiscent of milk cellar pits and north of the plots is a larger cellar pit. In the west, next to the stream, there is a hearth believed to be from a tent hut.