Our ancestors wandered in when the inland glaciers began melting about 10 000 years ago.

They followed the melting of the glaciers. In small groups they settled along the ice – free coastal strips.  The land was rich in wildlife, fish, edible herbs and berries.

Our ancestors migrated in from different directions during various time periods.
They lived in small hunting and gathering communities consisting of about 20-30 people and moved between various hunting and fishing areas, according to the season.

There is an origin from about 10 000 years ago and a continuation up to the early Stone Age with increasing contact between the individual hunting communities. Around 2000 – 3000 years ago, we can discern the seed to the “original”. Sámi, with a development towards a common language, an all-tighter social network, traditions and the establishment societies.

The early hunting communities’ social networks were built up around small family groups that lived and worked together. Other needs arose over time, as the Sápmi population increased, putting a greater demand on inner organization and the allocation of resources in the form of hunting grounds and fishing waters.