So is there a way to get reindeer domestication to spread beyond the Sami and into the Finns, Scandinavians, and possibly Slavs/Baltic peoples? Or for any of those groups to independently domesticate the reindeer at an early phase in their development, like preferably pre-Christianity? I don't mean 19th/20th century experiments and use of reindeer, by the way.
What might the effects of this be? Reindeer are more efficient than cattle (except for milk production) in cold climates like much of Scandinavia. This could help lead to slightly larger settlement in much of Scandinavia and northern Russia. Could this lead to a stronger Nordic nations or even early displacement of the Sami from much of their territory? And what might happen if it spreads to the Slavs? Would Russia be stronger early on, or might it give Novgorod (or other northern principalities) more of a fighting chance against the southern Russian states?
And finally, is it really plausible for the reindeer to spread beyond the Sami? Could another group like the Nenets introduce it into Northern Europe?
What might the effects of this be? Reindeer are more efficient than cattle (except for milk production) in cold climates like much of Scandinavia. This could help lead to slightly larger settlement in much of Scandinavia and northern Russia. Could this lead to a stronger Nordic nations or even early displacement of the Sami from much of their territory? And what might happen if it spreads to the Slavs? Would Russia be stronger early on, or might it give Novgorod (or other northern principalities) more of a fighting chance against the southern Russian states?
And finally, is it really plausible for the reindeer to spread beyond the Sami? Could another group like the Nenets introduce it into Northern Europe?