The Long Journey

Reindeer and Humans from Palaeolithic to Anthropocene

The Long Journey by Reidar Andersen and Olav Strand is a compelling exploration of the deep ecological and evolutionary relationship between humans and reindeer, tracing their interconnected history from the Palaeolithic Ice Age to the present day. This thought-provoking work blends archaeology, climate science, and environmental history to reveal how both species migrated across continents and ultimately became mutually dependent across Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.

The book follows the extraordinary migration of reindeer from South America through North America and Beringia into Eurasia, eventually reaching Europe via the Ural Mountains. In parallel, humans emerged from Africa and expanded into Europe from the south. Despite originating in vastly different environments—one adapted to icy tundra, the other to sun-driven landscapes—humans and reindeer forged an unexpected and enduring bond.

For over 500,000 years, migrating reindeer herds played a vital role in human survival, sustaining multiple human species during Ice Age conditions and providing essential resources during periods of extreme climate stress. Archaeological and ecological evidence highlights this long-standing interdependence, particularly in Arctic survival strategies.

Today, however, climate change, rising temperatures, and habitat loss are threatening reindeer populations and the traditional herding cultures that depend on them. The Long Journey also examines this urgent reversal of roles, where humans must now work to protect the very species that once ensured their survival, making it a timely reflection on climate resilience, conservation, and human–wildlife interdependence.

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