Postglacial occurrence of the beaver (Castor fiber L.) in Finland

Subfossil finds of the beaver in Finland, both stray finds and bones among refuse at cultural sites, are reviewed. The beaver may have arrived in the Preboreal period together with other elements of the taiga fauna; the earliest finds, however, are from the Late Ancylus or Early Litorina phase of the Baltic. The animal's arrival and occurrence in this country since the end of the last glaciation are tentatively discussed.