- University of Helsinki, Archaeology, Post-DocUniversity of Helsinki, Department of History, Philosophy, Culture and Art Studies, Department Memberadd
- Neolithic Archaeology, Africa (Archaeology), Palaeoenvironment, Lithic Sourcing, Historical GIS, Archaeology, and 153 moreIntra-site GIS, Conflict Archaeology, Modern conflict archaeology, Archaeological GIS, Great Lakes Region of Africa, Landscape Archaeology, Temporal GIS, Lithic Industries, Lithics, Remote sensing and GIS, Lithic Technology, Mobility (Archaeology), Sea Level Changes, Anthropology of Conflict, Ancient Weapons and Warfare, Material Culture Studies, Least Cost Path Analysis, African Archaeology, Iron Age Mongolia (Archaeology), Bronze Age Mongolia (Archaeology), Battlefield Archaeology, Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, Forensic Archaeology, Aerial Archaeology, African History, African Studies, Cultural History of War, Ethnoarchaeology, Spatial archaeology, Spatial analysis (Archaeology), Spatial Ecology, Material Culture, Obsidian, Balkan prehistory, Neolithic Europe, Iron Age Germany (Archaeology), Archaeology of Societal Collapse, LiDAR for Archaeology, LiDAR for Landscape Archaeology, Forest Finns In Sweden and America, Death and Burial (Archaeology), PXRF, Mesolithic-Neolithic transition, Arctic and Subarctic hunter-gatherers, Geochemical Characterization of Obsidians, Obsidian Sourcing, Sudanese Archaeology, Sudan Archaeology, Nubian studies, Lithic Raw Material Sourcing, Ancient Pastoralism, Ethnoarchaeology Pastoralism, Archaelogy Wetland Settlements, Hunter-Gatherers (Anthropology), Adaptation to Climate Change, Climate Change Adaptation, Climate Change and Environmental Archaeology, Household Archaeology, Ancient Agriculture & Farming (Archaeology), Neolithic Transition, Middle Stone Age (Archaeology), Eastern Sudan, Prehistory, Gash Group, Lithic, Eastern Desert of Egypt, Nubian Desert, Egypt, Sudan, Archaeologicasl Survey, Pre Islamic Remains, Obsidian Classification, Environmental Archaeology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Site Catchment Analysis, Site Catchment Analyses, Time geography, Ancient Geography and the Representation of Space, Bayesian Radiocarbon Dating, AMS radiocarbon dating, reservoir effect, Hunters, Fishers and Gatherers' Archaeology, Zooarchaeology, Osteoarchaeology, GIS and Landscape Archaeology, Obsidian in Prehistory, Obsidian Artifacts, Prehistoric Archaeology, portable XRF (PXRF) in Archaeology and Museum Science, Pottery (Archaeology), Prehistoric Fortification (Archaeology), Hyperspectral remote sensing, Environmental Remote Sensing, Satellite Remote Sensing & Image Processing, Remote Sensing and GIS Applied to Natural Resources and Population, Finnish prehistory, Ancient Warfare, Stable Isotopes, Aquatic Ecology, Radiocarbon Reservoir Effects, Radiocarbon Dating (Earth Sciences), Complex Hunter-Gatherers, Fortifications, Optimal Foraging Theory, Foraging ecology, Subsistence systems (Archaeology), Turkic Archaeology, Levallois, Mongolian Studies, Anthropology of Mongolia, Mongolian Archaeology, Archaeology of Central Asia, Off-site archaeology, Archaeoastronomy, Place Ballet, Archaeology of conflict, Archaeology and Metal Detecting, Sakari Pälsi, Modern Ruins, Theoretical Archaeology, Archaeological Method & Theory, Ruins of Modernity, Eastern Front 1941-45, Memory and materiality, Archaeology of Internment, Coastal and Island Archaeology, Military History, Dark Tourism, Cultural Heritage Management, Carceral Geography, Prison Industrial Complex, Human Animal Interaction, Archaeology of Hunting, Arms and Armour, Mesolithic Europe, Mesolithic Archaeology, Memory Studies, Cultural Memory, Cultural Theory, Anthropology of space, Ancient Nubia, Mass Incarceration, Historical memory, Sociology of Punishment, Pastoralism (Archaeology), Archaeology of the Spanish Civil War, Historical Archaeology, Political History, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Military Intelligence, Space and Place in Literature, Space and Place, Cultural History Of Ghosts, and Archaeologistedit
- Peer-reviewed papers marked with * I am a Finnish geographer and archaeologist. Through the years I have been occupie... morePeer-reviewed papers marked with *
I am a Finnish geographer and archaeologist. Through the years I have been occupied with whatever has paid my bills, most importantly the archaeology of pastoralist societies in Mongolia, East Africa and Fennoscandia, GIS and remote sensing applications in archaeology, the past of Lapland’s wilderness areas, and the archaeology of Karelian Isthmus, Russia. I have also been acting, for instance, as a field archaeologist, cartographer, surveying equipments salesman, and GIS engineer, for example in northern Siberia, Alaska, and Norway. At the moment I work in the project Domestication in Action, wondering about the domestication of reindeer in Sápmi from a landscape perspective. My other ongoing research deals with, for instance, prehistoric pastoralism in Mongolia and Archaeology of Mannerheim Line, the Finnish Winter War (1939-1940) defensive line in Karelian isthmus, nowadays Russia. I have been working since 2006 with the archaeology of Hitler’s arctic war in Lapland. Our largescale ‘Lapland’s Dark Heritage’ project in 2014-2018 had its origin back in 2009 in our archaeological studies of a German WWII military base in the Muotkatunturit Wilderness Area, and grew from that humble seed into something much bigger and better. In my PhD I marveled the landscapes and materialities of Hitler's Arctic war, for instance, how the various communities have related, signified and engaged with those both during and after the WWII.edit
Finnish-Mongolian Archaeological and Anthropological Expedition to Mongolia in 2019! Our expedition will be re-tracing in the summer 2019 the trail of the 1909 Finnish Mongolia expedition, 110 years after the original expedition by... more
Finnish-Mongolian Archaeological and Anthropological Expedition to Mongolia in 2019!
Our expedition will be re-tracing in the summer 2019 the trail of the 1909 Finnish Mongolia expedition, 110 years after the original expedition by Finnish linguist G.J. Ramstedt and archaeologist Sakari Pälsi.
Researchers: Jamsranjav Bayarsaikhan (National Museum of Mongolia) and Oula Seitsonen (University of Helsinki / University of Oulu, Finland).
The expedition is generously funded by the Nordenskiöld-samfundet (Finland).
Our expedition will be re-tracing in the summer 2019 the trail of the 1909 Finnish Mongolia expedition, 110 years after the original expedition by Finnish linguist G.J. Ramstedt and archaeologist Sakari Pälsi.
Researchers: Jamsranjav Bayarsaikhan (National Museum of Mongolia) and Oula Seitsonen (University of Helsinki / University of Oulu, Finland).
The expedition is generously funded by the Nordenskiöld-samfundet (Finland).
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Anthropology, Cultural Heritage, Landscape Archaeology, and 13 moreMongolian Studies, History of Mongolia, East Asian Archaeology, Tibeto-Mongolian Buddhism, Late Bronze Age archaeology, Mongolian Shamanism, Mongolia, Mongolian and Central Asian Studies, Scientific Expeditions, Mongolian Archaeology, Mongolian history, Sakari Pälsi, and G.J. Ramstedt
Archaeological study of recent past has been a rapidly growing field of research in Finland and internationally.As part of this trend, researchers have started to pay more attention also to “dark” research themes, such as the cultural... more
Archaeological study of recent past has been a rapidly growing field of research in Finland and internationally.As part of this trend, researchers have started to pay more attention also to “dark” research themes, such as the cultural heritage of wars, conflicts and other traumatic events. In Finland archaeologists have in the past few years actively documented, for instance, the Second World War heritage at Salpa Line, in Lapland and in Hangö.
However, on the conflict sites that have been left on the Russian side of the border, hardly any archaeological or other field research has been done. An exception are archeological surveys of Finnish Civil War (1918) sites, for example at the Ahvola Battlefield, and the activity of some keen Finnish and Russian enthusiasts. Russian archaeologists and cultural heritage authorities do not usually perceive the Second World War heritage as interesting for research or official protection. This has left the wartime sites as open prey for the so-called “black diggers” who use metal detectors to find treasures from the battlefields.
Mannerheim Line is internationally perhaps the single most famous and legendary scene of the Finnish Winter War in 1939-1940. Getting it under heritage protection in Russia is of primary importance, so that this important war historical monument would not be eradicated for instance by the modern landuse, but would be preserved for the future generations. Archaeology of the Mannerheim Line project aims at mapping the current state of the Mannerheim Line fortifications and recognizing sites with good archaeological research and cultural heritage preservation potential. Also the project aims at mapping the extent of looting by “black diggers” along the line, and marketing the cultural heritage value, historical significance and cultural tourism potential of the Second World War sites especially for the Russian collaborators and cultural heritage authorities.
However, on the conflict sites that have been left on the Russian side of the border, hardly any archaeological or other field research has been done. An exception are archeological surveys of Finnish Civil War (1918) sites, for example at the Ahvola Battlefield, and the activity of some keen Finnish and Russian enthusiasts. Russian archaeologists and cultural heritage authorities do not usually perceive the Second World War heritage as interesting for research or official protection. This has left the wartime sites as open prey for the so-called “black diggers” who use metal detectors to find treasures from the battlefields.
Mannerheim Line is internationally perhaps the single most famous and legendary scene of the Finnish Winter War in 1939-1940. Getting it under heritage protection in Russia is of primary importance, so that this important war historical monument would not be eradicated for instance by the modern landuse, but would be preserved for the future generations. Archaeology of the Mannerheim Line project aims at mapping the current state of the Mannerheim Line fortifications and recognizing sites with good archaeological research and cultural heritage preservation potential. Also the project aims at mapping the extent of looting by “black diggers” along the line, and marketing the cultural heritage value, historical significance and cultural tourism potential of the Second World War sites especially for the Russian collaborators and cultural heritage authorities.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Historical Archaeology, Conflict, Second World War, Conflict Archaeology, and 14 moreRussian History, World War II, Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, Second World War (History), Modern conflict archaeology, World War II history, The Archaeology of the Recent Past, Finnish History, Karelian, Karelia, Post-World War II history, Archaeology of 20th century conflicts, 20th/21st Century Conflicts, and History of Karelian Isthmus
Research Interests: Archaeology, Historical Archaeology, Peace and Conflict Studies, German History, Conflict, and 21 moreSecond World War, Conflict Archaeology, Russian History, World War II, Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, Phenomenology of Space and Place, Nazi Germany, Modern conflict archaeology, World War II history, Mass Incarceration, Nazism, The Archaeology of the Recent Past, Lapland, Archaeology of Modern Conflicts, Incarceration, Carceral Geography, Archaeology of 20th century conflicts, Post Conflict Issues, Arctic Tundra, 20th/21st Century Conflicts, and POW Camps
This dissertation discusses the material heritage of the German military presence in Finnish Lapland during the Second World War (WWII), as seen through archaeological and multidisciplinary studies. The Nazi German presence as... more
This dissertation discusses the material heritage of the German military presence in Finnish Lapland during the Second World War (WWII), as seen through archaeological and multidisciplinary studies. The Nazi German presence as brothers-in-arms in northern Finland has been a difficult and downplayed issue on multiple levels throughout the post-war decades. This study presents the first wider, problem-oriented and theoretically informed investigation about the archaeologies, materialities and heritage of the German WWII presence. However, even this work barely scratches the surface of this multifaceted subject and sets out future research directions. The experience of WWII in Lapland was different from the war experience elsewhere in Finland. The German troops had the frontal responsibility in Lapland in 1941–1944, and at the height of their military build-up there were more German troops and their multinational prisoners in the area than local inhabitants. After Finland made a cease-fire with the Soviet Union in 1944, a Finno-German Lapland War (1944–1945) broke out between the former brothers-in-arms. Due to the long nation-level downplay of the complex German presence, also the northern Finnish and Sámi war experiences have become side-lined. Accordingly, the German material remains have been treated dismissively as “war junk” littering Lapland’s nature. However, for the locals these were well-known throughout the post-war decades, as active material agents of communal and familial memories, and as part of Lapland’s cultural landscapes. This dissertation has two main focuses. Firstly, I study the Germans’ and their prisoners’ experiences in Lapland during the war through the material remains and archaeological inquiries, and secondly, the ways in which the different stakeholders have signified the traces of war in the post-war decades. The material traces illustrate and highlight in many ways the experiential aspects of the German soldiers’ and their prisoners’ wartime existence in an unfamiliar northern environment. The post-war perceptions of the German material remains underline the social value of these as part of the local long-term heritage and lived-in cultural landscape. Many locals see themselves as custodians of their “own past”, including the WWII legacy, wish to control access and engagement with the sites in their local landscape, and often feel that the authorities neglect their heritage. Thus, the traces of German presence have become one symbol of the continuing north-south confrontations, and the marginalization of the north. These issues tie in with Lapland’s long colonial history. The vast differences in engaging with the German WWII material remains appear to derive from fundamentally different mental templates with which the people perceive the subject and its importance. The people propagating the “clearing” of “war junk” appear to approach the subject, and the landscape, with a “western” gaze, and draw a division between “nature” and “culture” which labels the locals’ historical cultural landscape as a natural wilderness. Conversely, in the northern environmental awareness it is not meaningful to separate “nature” and “culture”, and instead, the landscape and its various layers form a web of relations, which tie together the past, present and future into a cognitively controlled and embodied unity. It appears that the different stakeholders should come to recognize and accept the differing standpoints from which they engage into the discussions, before a fruitful dialogue can be instigated.
Finnish: Tämä väitöskirja käsittelee arkeologisten ja monitieteisten tutkimusten kautta saksalaisten toisen maailmansodan aikaisen sotilaallisen läsnäolon materiaalista kulttuuriperintöä Suomen Lapissa. Natsisaksan joukkojen läsnäolo aseveljinä Pohjois-Suomessa on ollut sodanjälkeisinä vuosikymmeninä vaikea ja vähätelty aihe. Tämä työ on ensimmäinen laaja-alainen, teoreettisesti suuntautunut tutkimus saksalaisjoukkojen materiaalisten jäänteiden arkeologiasta, materiaalisuudesta ja perinnöstä Suomen Lapissa. Tämäkin tutkimus kuitenkin raaputtaa vain hieman tämän monikerroksisen aiheen pintaa ja tarjoaa tulevia tutkimussuuntia. Toisen maailmansodan kokemukset Lapissa erosivat merkittävästi muusta maasta. Saksalaisjoukoilla oli rintamavastuu pohjoisessa 1941–1944 ja enimmillään alueella oli enemmän saksalaisjoukkoja ja heidän monikansallisia vankejaan kuin paikallista väestöä. Suomen tehtyä tulitauon Neuvostoliiton kanssa 1944, entisten liittolaisten välille puhkesi Lapin sota (1944–1945). Koska saksalaisten läsnäoloa on pitkään vältelty kansallisella tasolla, myös pohjoissuomalainen ja saamelainen sotakokemus on jäänyt syrjään. Vastaavasti saksalaisten materiaaliset jäänteitä on usein vähättelevästi nimetty ”sotaromuksi”, joka sotkee Lapin luonnon. Paikallisille nämä jäänteet ovat kuitenkin olleet tunnettuja ja tärkeitä läpi vuosikymmenien osana paikallista kulttuurimaisemaa sekä yhteisöllisten ja yksilöllisten muistojen aktiivisina materiaalisina ilmentyminä. Tällä työllä on kaksi päätarkoitusta. Ensinnäkin tutkin saksalaisten ja heidän vankiensa sodan aikaisia kokemuksia Lapissa materiaalisten jäänteiden ja arkeologisen tutkimuksen avulla. Toisekseen selvitän tapoja, joilla eri yhteisöt ovat merkityksellistäneet näitä jälkiä sodan jälkeen. Materiaaliset jäänteet heijastelevat monilla tavoin saksalaisten ja heidän vankiensa sotakokemuksia vieraassa pohjoisessa ympäristössä. Sodanjälkeiset näkemykset saksalaisjäänteiden merkityksestä alleviivaavat niiden sosiaalista arvoa osana paikallista pitkän aikavälin kulttuuriperintöä ja –maisemaa. Monet paikalliset näkevät itsensä ”oman menneisyytensä” vartijoina ja toivovat voivansa valvoa ulkopuolisten toimintaa sota-aikaisilla kohteilla. Lisäksi he usein kokevat, että viranomaiset ylenkatsovat heidän kulttuuriperintöänsä. Tämän johdosta saksalaisten jäljet maisemassa ovat muodostuneet myös nykyisen Pohjois- ja Etelä-Suomen vastakkainasettelun sekä pohjoisen marginalisoinnin symboleiksi. Nämä näkemykset heijastelevat myös Lapin pitkää kolonialistista historiaa. Erilaiset tavat lähestyä saksalaisten toisen maailmansodan jäänteitä vaikuttavat olevan lähtöisin perustavanlaatuisista eroista maailmankatsomuksessa ja tavassa tulkita maisemaa. ”Sotaromun puhdistamista” kannattavat henkilöt näyttävät lähestyvän aihetta ”länsimaisella” katseella, joka vetää rajan ”luonnon” ja ”kulttuurin” välille. Tämä leimaa samalla paikallisten historiallisen kulttuurimaiseman tyhjäksi, luonnolliseksi erämaaksi. Toisaalta pohjoisessa ympäristötietoisuudessa ei ole mielekästä erotella “luontoa” ja “kulttuuria”. Sen sijaan maisema ja sen eri kerrostumat muodostavat kognitiivisesti kontrolloitujen ja kehollistuneiden suhteiden kokonaisuuden, joka sitoo yhteen menneen, nykyisen ja tulevan. Eri toimijoiden tulisikin tiedostaa ja hyväksyä toistensa eroavat lähtökohdat, ennen kuin he pystyvät rakentavaan keskusteluun aiheesta.
Finnish: Tämä väitöskirja käsittelee arkeologisten ja monitieteisten tutkimusten kautta saksalaisten toisen maailmansodan aikaisen sotilaallisen läsnäolon materiaalista kulttuuriperintöä Suomen Lapissa. Natsisaksan joukkojen läsnäolo aseveljinä Pohjois-Suomessa on ollut sodanjälkeisinä vuosikymmeninä vaikea ja vähätelty aihe. Tämä työ on ensimmäinen laaja-alainen, teoreettisesti suuntautunut tutkimus saksalaisjoukkojen materiaalisten jäänteiden arkeologiasta, materiaalisuudesta ja perinnöstä Suomen Lapissa. Tämäkin tutkimus kuitenkin raaputtaa vain hieman tämän monikerroksisen aiheen pintaa ja tarjoaa tulevia tutkimussuuntia. Toisen maailmansodan kokemukset Lapissa erosivat merkittävästi muusta maasta. Saksalaisjoukoilla oli rintamavastuu pohjoisessa 1941–1944 ja enimmillään alueella oli enemmän saksalaisjoukkoja ja heidän monikansallisia vankejaan kuin paikallista väestöä. Suomen tehtyä tulitauon Neuvostoliiton kanssa 1944, entisten liittolaisten välille puhkesi Lapin sota (1944–1945). Koska saksalaisten läsnäoloa on pitkään vältelty kansallisella tasolla, myös pohjoissuomalainen ja saamelainen sotakokemus on jäänyt syrjään. Vastaavasti saksalaisten materiaaliset jäänteitä on usein vähättelevästi nimetty ”sotaromuksi”, joka sotkee Lapin luonnon. Paikallisille nämä jäänteet ovat kuitenkin olleet tunnettuja ja tärkeitä läpi vuosikymmenien osana paikallista kulttuurimaisemaa sekä yhteisöllisten ja yksilöllisten muistojen aktiivisina materiaalisina ilmentyminä. Tällä työllä on kaksi päätarkoitusta. Ensinnäkin tutkin saksalaisten ja heidän vankiensa sodan aikaisia kokemuksia Lapissa materiaalisten jäänteiden ja arkeologisen tutkimuksen avulla. Toisekseen selvitän tapoja, joilla eri yhteisöt ovat merkityksellistäneet näitä jälkiä sodan jälkeen. Materiaaliset jäänteet heijastelevat monilla tavoin saksalaisten ja heidän vankiensa sotakokemuksia vieraassa pohjoisessa ympäristössä. Sodanjälkeiset näkemykset saksalaisjäänteiden merkityksestä alleviivaavat niiden sosiaalista arvoa osana paikallista pitkän aikavälin kulttuuriperintöä ja –maisemaa. Monet paikalliset näkevät itsensä ”oman menneisyytensä” vartijoina ja toivovat voivansa valvoa ulkopuolisten toimintaa sota-aikaisilla kohteilla. Lisäksi he usein kokevat, että viranomaiset ylenkatsovat heidän kulttuuriperintöänsä. Tämän johdosta saksalaisten jäljet maisemassa ovat muodostuneet myös nykyisen Pohjois- ja Etelä-Suomen vastakkainasettelun sekä pohjoisen marginalisoinnin symboleiksi. Nämä näkemykset heijastelevat myös Lapin pitkää kolonialistista historiaa. Erilaiset tavat lähestyä saksalaisten toisen maailmansodan jäänteitä vaikuttavat olevan lähtöisin perustavanlaatuisista eroista maailmankatsomuksessa ja tavassa tulkita maisemaa. ”Sotaromun puhdistamista” kannattavat henkilöt näyttävät lähestyvän aihetta ”länsimaisella” katseella, joka vetää rajan ”luonnon” ja ”kulttuurin” välille. Tämä leimaa samalla paikallisten historiallisen kulttuurimaiseman tyhjäksi, luonnolliseksi erämaaksi. Toisaalta pohjoisessa ympäristötietoisuudessa ei ole mielekästä erotella “luontoa” ja “kulttuuria”. Sen sijaan maisema ja sen eri kerrostumat muodostavat kognitiivisesti kontrolloitujen ja kehollistuneiden suhteiden kokonaisuuden, joka sitoo yhteen menneen, nykyisen ja tulevan. Eri toimijoiden tulisikin tiedostaa ja hyväksyä toistensa eroavat lähtökohdat, ennen kuin he pystyvät rakentavaan keskusteluun aiheesta.
Research Interests: History, Cultural Studies, Archaeology, Historical Archaeology, German History, and 46 moreCultural Heritage, Ethnography, Landscape Archaeology, European Ethnography, Cultural Tourism, Ethnology, Contemporary Archaeology, Cultural History of War, Second World War, Conflict Archaeology, Battlefield Archaeology, Russian History, World War II, Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, Occupation and Resistance in WW2, Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology of Contemporary Past, History of War, Second World War (History), Nazi Germany, Battlefield Heritage Management and Metal Detecting, World War II history, Sámi Studies, Nazism, The Archaeology of the Recent Past, Finnish History, Battlefield Tourism, Battlefield Heritage Tourism, Nazi Propaganda, Nazismo, Lapland, Reindeer Pastoralism, European Ethnology, WW2 archaeology, Post-World War II history, Nazis, Reindeer herding, Sámi History, Dark Tourism, Communist Heritage Tourism, Nostalgia Tourism, MILITARY HISTORY WW2, Archaeology of Colonialism, Sapmi, The Archeology of Recent Past., Swedish Lapland, Dark heritage, and Lapland War
Research Interests: Death, Death Studies, Transnational and World History, Mobility/Mobilities, Transnational History, and 18 moreCultural History of War, Second World War, Russian History, World War II, Death and Burial (Archaeology), Repatriation (Archaeology), Anthropology of Death, Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, Burial Practices (Archaeology), History of War, Second World War (History), World War II history, Finnish History, Mass Graves, Archaeology of death and burial, Burial Customs, Repatriation, and Lapland
In this article we examine a popularly-oriented Finnish wartime photographic book, Suomi kuvina. Das ist Suomi. Finnland in Bild und Wort, from 1943, which introduced Finland – its landscapes, culture and people – for a German target... more
In this article we examine a popularly-oriented Finnish wartime photographic book, Suomi kuvina. Das ist Suomi. Finnland in Bild und Wort, from 1943, which introduced Finland – its landscapes, culture and people – for a German target audience. We analyze the choices of images and captions and explore how the familiar visual tendencies were both changed and maintained during the war, for instance, through the representation of landscapes and gender. Although the book appears to be a coherent description of an idealized nation, a minute detail in one photograph reveals underlying tensions that challenge the discourse of a nation unified by war.
Research Interests: Visual propaganda, Photography, Cultural Heritage, Propaganda, Nationalism, and 15 morePhotography Theory, Second World War, Conflict Archaeology, World War II, Documentary Photography, Photography (Visual Studies), Second World War (History), Nazi Germany, Finland, World War II history, Finnish History, Nazi Propaganda, Lapland, War Propaganda, and Lapland War
This article discusses military mobilities and encampment, and associated themes such as dislocation and displacement of people, through the case of a Second World War German military camp in Finnish Lapland. The article describes the... more
This article discusses military mobilities and encampment, and associated themes such as dislocation and displacement of people, through the case of a Second World War German military camp in Finnish Lapland. The article describes the camp and its archaeological research and discusses various aspects of the camp and camp life in its particular subarctic ‘wilderness’ setting, framing the discussion within the themes of mobilities and dislocations, and especially their multiple impacts on the German troops and their multinational prisoners-of-war based in the camp. A particular emphasis is put on how mobilities and dislocation – in effect ‘being stuck’ in a northern wilderness – were intertwined and how the inhabitants of the camp coped with the situation, as well as how this is reflected in the different features of the camp itself and the archaeological material that the fieldwork produced.
Keywords: Conflict archaeology, Second World War, mobility, German, Prisoner of War, Lapland, Finland
Keywords: Conflict archaeology, Second World War, mobility, German, Prisoner of War, Lapland, Finland
Research Interests: Archaeology, Historical Archaeology, German History, Mobility/Mobilities, Anthropology of Mobility, and 34 moreSecond World War, Conflict Archaeology, Armed Conflict, 20th Century German History, World War II, Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, Geography of Mobility and Migrations, Mobility (Archaeology), Social Mobility, Mobilities Studies, Modern archaeology, Nazi Germany, Modern conflict archaeology, Germany, Mobility, Norway, Nazism, Mobilities, The Archaeology of the Recent Past, Finnish History, Archaeology of modernity, Archaeology of conflict, Dislocation, Nazismo, Lapland, 20th Century Military Archaeology, Modern and Contemporary Archaeology, 20th century Archaeology, Nazis, MILITARY HISTORY WW2, Geographical Dislocation, Conflict Archeologie, Swedish Lapland, and Lapland War
In this paper we discuss the heritage of the WWII evacuation and the so-called ‘burning of Lapland’ within a Sámi reindeer herding community, and assess how these wartime experiences have moulded, and continue to mould, the ways people... more
In this paper we discuss the heritage of the WWII evacuation and the so-called ‘burning of Lapland’ within a Sámi reindeer herding community, and assess how these wartime experiences have moulded, and continue to mould, the ways people memorialise and engage with the WWII material remains. Our focus is on the village of Vuotso, which is home to the southernmost Sámi community in Finland. The Nazi German troops established a large military base there in 1941, and the Germans and the villagers lived as close neighbours for several years. In 1944 the villagers were evacuated before the outbreak of the Finno-German ‘Lapland War’ of 1944–1945, in which the German troops annihilated their military installations and the civilian infrastructure. Today the ruins of demolished German military installations persist around the village as vivid reminders, and act for the villagers as important active agents in memorising this vital phase in Lapland’s recent past. They also appear to facilitate nostalgia for the more independent days before traditional Sámi lifeways were ruptured by stronger Finnish State intervention in the post-war decades.
Research Interests: Archaeology, German History, Cultural Heritage, Heritage Studies, Contemporary History, and 26 moreHeritage Tourism, Dark Tourism, Contemporary Archaeology, Second World War, Conflict Archaeology, Battlefield Archaeology, World War II, Intangible Cultural Heritage (Culture), Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, Archaeology of Contemporary Past, Second World War (History), Nazi Germany, Heritage, Modern conflict archaeology, World War II history, Sámi Studies, The Archaeology of the Recent Past, Finnish History, Battlefield Heritage Tourism, Archaeology of conflict, Environmental Perception, Lapland, Sámi Archaeology, Sámi History, Dark Tourism, Communist Heritage Tourism, Nostalgia Tourism, and Lapland War
Research project Lapland’s Dark Heritage organized a one-week public excavation in Inari, Finnish Lapland, at a Second World War (WWII) German military hospital site in August 2016. #InariDig took place with the help of international... more
Research project Lapland’s Dark Heritage organized a one-week public excavation in Inari, Finnish Lapland, at a Second World War (WWII) German military hospital site in August 2016. #InariDig took place with the help of international experts and pre-registered volunteers. In this field report, two of the archaeologists leading the excavations and an ethnographer who took part in documenting this community archaeology experiment introduce the excavation sites and activities reflecting on the engagements with volunteers and local community.
Research Interests: Military History, Archaeology, Public Archaeology, German History, Contemporary History, and 17 moreSecond World War, Conflict Archaeology, Battlefield Archaeology, Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, Second World War (History), Nazi Germany, Community Archaeology, Modern conflict archaeology, The Archaeology of the Recent Past, Battlefield Tourism, Battlefield Heritage Tourism, Lapland, WW2 archaeology, MILITARY HISTORY WW2, Battlefield Archaeology, Conflict Archaeology, Military Hospital and Field Hospital, and Lapland War
Research Interests: Russian Studies, Cultural Heritage, Mobility/Mobilities, Material Culture Studies, Refugee Studies, and 25 moreAnthropology of Mobility, Migration, International Migration, Contemporary Archaeology, Conflict Archaeology, Forced Migration, Migration Studies, Sociology of Migration, Transnational migration, Contemporary International Migration, Migration (Anthropology), Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, Geography of Mobility and Migrations, Mobility (Archaeology), Social Mobility, Refugees, Modern conflict archaeology, Mobility, The Archaeology of the Recent Past, Finnish Studies, Refugees and Forced Migration Studies, Lapland, Refugee Crisis, Refugee memory, and Syrian Refugee Crisis
Following a recent worldwide boom in the democratization of knowledge,crowdsourcing and Participatory GIS, heritage practice increasingly drawson crowdsourced geographical data. In this paper, I discuss a public crowd-sourcing of... more
Following a recent worldwide boom in the democratization of knowledge,crowdsourcing and Participatory GIS, heritage practice increasingly drawson crowdsourced geographical data. In this paper, I discuss a public crowd-sourcing of twentieth century conflict heritage in Finland, launched by state-owned broadcasting company
Yleisradio
. Here emphasis is on analysing theuser behaviour and incentives, which can inform analogous future initiatives.Many of the public entries mirror local perspectives on conflict heritage: prideof personally importantlociand self-satisfactionappear tobe important incen-tives for taking part. Finally, I summarize themes that other heritage crowd-sourcing organizers could apply to their work
Yleisradio
. Here emphasis is on analysing theuser behaviour and incentives, which can inform analogous future initiatives.Many of the public entries mirror local perspectives on conflict heritage: prideof personally importantlociand self-satisfactionappear tobe important incen-tives for taking part. Finally, I summarize themes that other heritage crowd-sourcing organizers could apply to their work
Research Interests: Archaeology, Historical Archaeology, Public Archaeology, Digital Humanities, German History, and 41 moreCultural Heritage, Heritage Studies, Public Participation GIS, Heritage Tourism, Cultural Heritage Conservation, Cultures and heritage tourism, Archaeological GIS, Second World War, Conflict Archaeology, World War I, First World War, Russian History, World War II, Cultural Heritage Management, Intangible Cultural Heritage (Culture), Crowdsourcing, Architectural Heritage, Geo-spatial analysis with GIS and GPS, Heritage Management, Crowd Sourcing, Second World War (History), Nazi Germany, Heritage, Community Archaeology, Science for Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, Public Participation, Museum and Heritage Studies, Finnish History, GIS for Urban Planning/ Heritage Tourism/ Architecture for Cultural Change/ Planning in Developing Countries, Lapland, Community archaeology and heritage interpretation, Public Outreach, Human Computing, crowd sourcing, Application of Crowd-sourced Data In Spatial Analysis, Human Computation(Crowdsourcing), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geo-spatial Analysis With GIS and GPS, Digital Heritage, Social Media Crowd Sourced GIS, Archaeology Public Outreach, Crowd-sourcing, and Crowd-Sourced Data
Almost all archaeologists encounter collectors of different kinds of artefacts at some point in their career, whether it is the private collectors of financially valuable antiquities or ‘amateur archaeologists’ who have amassed personal... more
Almost all archaeologists encounter collectors of different kinds of artefacts at some point in their career, whether it is the private collectors of financially valuable antiquities or ‘amateur archaeologists’ who have amassed personal collections of local finds. In our research into the material legacy of the German presence in northern Finland during World War II, we have encountered both artefact hunters (primarily but not exclusively metal detecting enthusiasts) and artefact collectors (sometimes the same people) with a specific interest in military remains from this location and period. In this article, we explore these alternative perspectives on collecting, and frame them within the context of treasure hunters, militaria collectors and other history hobbyists, and their relationship to the ‘official’ heritage managers and curators.
Research Interests: Military History, German History, Contemporary Archaeology, Second World War, Conflict Archaeology, and 21 moreHistory of Collections, World War II, Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, Collecting and Collections, Second World War (History), Nazi Germany, Modern conflict archaeology, Battlefield Heritage Management and Metal Detecting, World War II history, History of Collecting, Sámi Studies, Waffen-SS, Nazism, Finnish History, Collectors and Collecting, Treasure Hunting, Militaria, Wehrmacht, Lapland, Archaeology and Metal Detecting, and MILITARY HISTORY WW2
Sites connected to the Second World War (WWII) are increasingly recognized as worthy of archaeological investigation. Researchers are also becoming aware that that the collectors market in objects connected to WWII, particularly those... more
Sites connected to the Second World War (WWII) are increasingly recognized as worthy of archaeological investigation. Researchers are also becoming aware that that the collectors market in objects connected to WWII, particularly those connected to Germany, is encouraging the stripping of conflict landscapes in the search for “collectors items.” Finnish Lapland is sometimes regarded as peripheral compared to more centrally located regions of Europe. Archaeologists working here nonetheless find themselves in direct competition with enthusiastic treasure hunters. This is complicated even further by the myriad ontologies employed by different individuals in the construction of their relationship with the material culture connected to recent conflict periods, and on specific “other” or “exotic” landscapes, such as Lapland.
This paper examines what might be learnt about the nature of treasure hunting for and trading in WWII material from Lapland, and its position within the emerging research on broader trends in “dark” approaches to and encounters with heritage.
This paper examines what might be learnt about the nature of treasure hunting for and trading in WWII material from Lapland, and its position within the emerging research on broader trends in “dark” approaches to and encounters with heritage.
Research Interests: Military History, German Studies, Archaeology, Historical Archaeology, German History, and 33 moreWar Studies, Dark Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Second World War, Conflict Archaeology, Battlefield Archaeology, Russian History, World War II, Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, Collecting and Collections, Eastern Front, German, Second World War (History), Military, Nazi Germany, Modern conflict archaeology, Finland, Germany, Battlefield Heritage Management and Metal Detecting, World War II history, History of Collecting, Waffen-SS, Nazism, The Archaeology of the Recent Past, Finnish History, Battlefield Tourism, Battlefield Heritage Tourism, Wehrmacht, Lapland, History of Finland, Archaeology and Metal Detecting, Foreign Volunteers In Wehrmacht and Waffen SS и Operation Barbarossa
In the later part of the Second World War, Nazi German troops were responsible for a front of nearly a thousand kilometers in Lapland, Northern Finland. The Germans built close to 100 prisoner of war and labor camps in the area, and... more
In the later part of the Second World War, Nazi German troops were responsible for a front of nearly a thousand kilometers in Lapland, Northern Finland. The Germans built close to 100 prisoner of war and labor camps in the area, and imprisoned some 30,000 Russian soldiers there. Since Lapland’s infrastructure was very poor, the prisoners were used as a workforce for tasks such as building and improving roads and bridges. The prison camps and military bases, as well as their archives, were almost completely destroyed during the German retreat from Finland, in 1944–1945, in the Lapland War between the Finns and the Germans. In this chapter we report on preliminary fieldwork at the German base of Peltojoki, and we discuss how archaeology can contribute to the study and understanding of military sites from the recent past.
Research Interests: Military History, German Studies, Archaeology, German History, Second World War, and 26 moreConflict Archaeology, Battlefield Archaeology, Prisoners of War, Russian History, Eastern Front, Military, Warfare, Nazi Germany, Modern conflict archaeology, Finland, Prisons, Mass Incarceration, Waffen-SS, Nazism, Finnish History, Archaeology of conflict, Wehrmacht, Lapland, Modern Ruins, Incarceration, Carceral Geography, Eastern Front 1941-45, Race and Mass Incarceration, Foreign Volunteers In Wehrmacht and Waffen SS, Operation Barbarossa, and POW Camps
Research Interests: Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, Conflict, Heritage Conservation, Conflict Archaeology, and 14 moreBattlefield Archaeology, Russian History, Ethnic Conflict and Civil War, Battlefields, Modern conflict archaeology, Finland, Battlefield Heritage Management and Metal Detecting, Finnish History, Archaeology of conflict, World War 1915 -1918, 1918-1940, Battlefield Archaeology, Conflict Archaeology, Demobilisation in 1918-1919, and Finnish Civil War
Research Interests: Forensic Anthropology, Photogrammetry, Archaeological documentation, Conflict Archaeology, 3D Laser scanning (Architecture), and 14 moreRussian History, Disaster Management, Forensic Archaeology, Close-range Photogrammetry, Death and Burial (Archaeology), 19th Century (History), Digital Photogrammetry applied to Archaeology, Archaeological Methodology, Mass Graves, 3D Laser Scanning (Archaeology), Laser Scanning, Digital Terrain and Surface Modeling, Digital Photogrammetry, Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology, 19th century Russian History, and Digital Photogrammetry
This paper maps diverse attitudes towards the heritage of the World War II German military presence in Finnish Lapland of northernmost Europe. As part of Hitler's attack on the Soviet Union, German troops had the frontal responsibility in... more
This paper maps diverse attitudes towards the heritage of the World War II German military presence in Finnish Lapland of northernmost Europe. As part of Hitler's attack on the Soviet Union, German troops had the frontal responsibility in northern Finland in 1941–1944. After a cease-fire between Finland and the Soviet Union in 1944,
increasing Soviet pressure forced Finland to turn against the Germans, resulting in the “Lapland War” between the former allies. During their retreat to Norway, German troops destroyed their military bases and Lapland’s towns, infrastructure, and private property. The Germans, from a Finnish perspective, were both friends and foes who provided important support in the war against the Soviet Union, but who also “burned down Lapland.” Not surprisingly, World War II Finnish-German relations have been a sensitive subject in Finland. Remains of German military sites are abundant in Lapland, but lack official heritage status and have been often regarded in public in negative terms. Archaeological research, among other forms of engaging with the difficult heritage of the German presence, could put this material heritage into positive uses while helping to reconcile with this troubled episode in recent Finnish past.
increasing Soviet pressure forced Finland to turn against the Germans, resulting in the “Lapland War” between the former allies. During their retreat to Norway, German troops destroyed their military bases and Lapland’s towns, infrastructure, and private property. The Germans, from a Finnish perspective, were both friends and foes who provided important support in the war against the Soviet Union, but who also “burned down Lapland.” Not surprisingly, World War II Finnish-German relations have been a sensitive subject in Finland. Remains of German military sites are abundant in Lapland, but lack official heritage status and have been often regarded in public in negative terms. Archaeological research, among other forms of engaging with the difficult heritage of the German presence, could put this material heritage into positive uses while helping to reconcile with this troubled episode in recent Finnish past.
Research Interests: Archaeology, German History, Cultural Heritage, Cultural Heritage Conservation, Heritage Conservation, and 33 moreContemporary Archaeology, Second World War, Conflict Archaeology, Battlefield Archaeology, Prisoners of War, 20th Century German History, Russian History, World War II, Cultural Heritage Management, Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, Eastern Front, Battlefields, Modern German History, Second World War (History), Nazi Germany, Modern conflict archaeology, Finland, Battlefield Heritage Management and Metal Detecting, Waffen-SS, Nazism, Finnish History, Battlefield Heritage Tourism, Archaeology of conflict, Wehrmacht, Lapland, Modern Ruins, Archaeology of Modern Conflicts, Nazis, Eastern Front 1941-45, Foreign Volunteers In Wehrmacht and Waffen SS, Operation Barbarossa, POW Camps, and Lapland War
"Paper discusses the use of advanced GIS algorithms for analyzing and visualizing LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) remote sensing data. Some algorithms that have been found by the author most useful for analyzing LiDAR data are... more
"Paper discusses the use of advanced GIS algorithms for analyzing and visualizing LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) remote sensing data. Some algorithms that have been found by the author most useful for analyzing LiDAR data are presented with examples from Finnish Stone Age sites, such as housepit sites and Giant's churches, and 20th Century conflict archaeological sites.
Research Interests: Cultural Heritage, Historical GIS, Heritage Conservation, LiDAR, Archaeological GIS, and 8 moreNeolithic Archaeology, Conflict Archaeology, Remote sensing and GIS applications in Landscape Research, Remote sensing and GIS, LiDAR for topographic mapping, Archaeology of conflict, LiDAR for Landscape Archaeology, and LiDAR for Archaeology
Paper discusses the use of available LiDAR laser scanning data in field archaeology in Finland based on a few examples from the summer 2010. Digital elevation models based on new Lidar data proved to be useful for planning and carrying... more
Paper discusses the use of available LiDAR laser scanning data in field archaeology in Finland based on a few examples from the summer 2010. Digital elevation models based on new Lidar data proved to be useful for planning and carrying out fieldwork, for example in identifying the most suitable survey areas and especially in locating various pit features, such as trenches or Stone Age housepits. These could also provide basis for developing predictive models in the future for locating such features.
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Paper describes an example of digital documentation methods used at the forensic archaeological excavations at Lappeenranta Huhtiniemi, eastern Finland. Several documentation methods were tested and compared while excavating a 19th... more
Paper describes an example of digital documentation methods used at the forensic archaeological excavations at Lappeenranta Huhtiniemi, eastern Finland. Several documentation methods were tested and compared while excavating a 19th century mass grave of Russian soldiers: described methods include traditional sketching, total station documentation, photogrammetry, and 3D laserscanning.
Research Interests: Forensic Anthropology, Photogrammetry, Archaeological documentation, Conflict Archaeology, Russian History, and 13 moreDisaster Management, Forensic Archaeology, Close-range Photogrammetry, Death and Burial (Archaeology), 19th Century (History), Digital Photogrammetry applied to Archaeology, Archaeological Methodology, Crimes Against Humanity, Mass Graves, 3D Laser Scanning (Archaeology), Laser Scanning, Digital Terrain and Surface Modeling, Digital Photogrammetry, 19th century Russian History, and Psychology of Clandestine Burials
Research Interests: Military History, War Studies, Civil War, First World War, Russian History, and 15 moreRussian Revolution, Trench Warfare (First World War), Ethnic Conflict and Civil War, Military, Finland, Finnish History, Army, Cultural History of the First World War, Karelia, History of Finland, Finnish Military History, революция 1917, Russian Revolution 1917, WWI Trench Warfare, and Finnish Civil War
Research Interests: Military History, Historical Archaeology, War Studies, Civil War, Conflict Archaeology, and 15 moreArmed Conflict, First World War, Russian History, Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, Trench Warfare (First World War), Ethnic Conflict and Civil War, Military, The Archaeology of the Recent Past, Finnish History, Cultural History of the First World War, Karelia, революция 1917, Russian Revolution 1917, WWI Trench Warfare, and Finnish Civil War
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Research Interests: Zooarchaeology, Pastoralism (Social Anthropology), Pastoralism in Africa, East Africa, Food Production, and 9 moreSurvey (Archaeological Method & Theory), Tanzania, Lithics, Pastoralism (Archaeology), Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology, Later Stone Age (Archaeology), Archaeological survey, African Archaeology, and Archaeology of Pastoralism
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Research Interests: Archaeology, Zooarchaeology, Pastoralism (Social Anthropology), Pastoralism in Africa, Africa (Archaeology), and 11 moreNeolithic Archaeology, Ceramic Analysis (Archaeology), Kenya, Lithic Technology, Neolithic Transition, Pastoral landscapes (Archaeology), Pastoralism (Archaeology), Ancient Agriculture & Farming (Archaeology), African Archaeology, Pastoralism, and Nile valley interactions, Kansyore ceramics
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Research Interests: Stable Isotope Analysis, Pastoralism in Africa, Africa (Archaeology), Neolithic Archaeology, Tanzanian Studies, and 7 moreObsidian, Stable isotope paleoclimatology, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy, Pastoralism (Archaeology), African Archaeology, Lithic Raw Material Sourcing, and Obsidian Sourcing
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Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, History of Science, Archaeological Method & Theory, History of Archaeological Praxis, and 20 moreHistory of Mongolia, Siberia, Ethnology, Russian History, Archaeological Theory, Socialism, Wetland Archaeology, History of Archaeology, Finland, Mongolia, Mongolian Archaeology, Finnish archaeology, Karelia, History of Finland, Bog finds, Springer Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology, The Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology, Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology, Sakari Pälsi, and History of Karelian Isthmus
Lake Ladoga, Europe's largest lake, is situated in northwest Russia east of the Baltic Sea. This article is the first compilation of all the zooarchaeological material recovered from the Stone Age and Early Metal Period huntergatherer... more
Lake Ladoga, Europe's largest lake, is situated in northwest Russia east of the Baltic Sea. This article is the first
compilation of all the zooarchaeological material recovered from the Stone Age and Early Metal Period huntergatherer
sites in the area analysed and published up to 2014. All the faunal remains preserved in the acidic
soils are small pieces of calcined bone, except for two sites where anaerobic conditions have also preserved unburnt
bones. An overview of the analysed assemblages, including identified species and carcass treatment is presented,
and the chronological trends briefly summarised. Based on the zooarchaeological material the prehistoric
subsistence base was aquatically oriented throughout the Stone Age and Early Metal Period. Day-to-day subsistence
seems based on fishing near the campsites, supplemented with seasonal food sources. Prehistoric inhabitants
of Lake Ladoga were also committed to invest technology, time, and human resources in the specialised,
risky sealing forays. The abundant lake resources offered a stable, self-renewing resource base for the area's population
and, for example, fishing maintained its importance in subsistence even after the introduction of cultivation
– in places into the 20th century.
compilation of all the zooarchaeological material recovered from the Stone Age and Early Metal Period huntergatherer
sites in the area analysed and published up to 2014. All the faunal remains preserved in the acidic
soils are small pieces of calcined bone, except for two sites where anaerobic conditions have also preserved unburnt
bones. An overview of the analysed assemblages, including identified species and carcass treatment is presented,
and the chronological trends briefly summarised. Based on the zooarchaeological material the prehistoric
subsistence base was aquatically oriented throughout the Stone Age and Early Metal Period. Day-to-day subsistence
seems based on fishing near the campsites, supplemented with seasonal food sources. Prehistoric inhabitants
of Lake Ladoga were also committed to invest technology, time, and human resources in the specialised,
risky sealing forays. The abundant lake resources offered a stable, self-renewing resource base for the area's population
and, for example, fishing maintained its importance in subsistence even after the introduction of cultivation
– in places into the 20th century.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Zooarchaeology, Mesolithic Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, and 12 moreOsteoarchaeology, Russian History, Mesolithic/Neolithic, Bone Technology (Archaeology), Finnish History, Burned Bone, Karelian, Burned Bones, Bone Preservation, Karelia, Burnt Bones, and Burnt Bone and Cremain Analysis
Recent Finnish-Russian research cooperation on the Karelian Isthmus, north-west Russia, has completely changed views on the area’s prehistory. In this paper we describe the methodology and results of archaeological field surveys and test... more
Recent Finnish-Russian research cooperation on the Karelian Isthmus, north-west Russia, has completely changed views on the area’s prehistory. In this paper we describe the methodology and results of archaeological field surveys and test excavations carried out in the so-called Lake Pyhäjärvi micro-region in 2005–2008. In the course of the project’s field
studies, the number of Stone Age and Early Metal Period sites in the area increased tenfold, and the exceptional, well-stratified settlement site of Kunnianniemi with nearly three-metre deep archaeological deposits was located. Recent studies provide reference material for the recently studied nearby areas and a working framework for further inquiries related to, for instance, the spatio-temporal changes in the settlement pattern, material culture, subsistence base, socio-cultural structure, and contact networks.
studies, the number of Stone Age and Early Metal Period sites in the area increased tenfold, and the exceptional, well-stratified settlement site of Kunnianniemi with nearly three-metre deep archaeological deposits was located. Recent studies provide reference material for the recently studied nearby areas and a working framework for further inquiries related to, for instance, the spatio-temporal changes in the settlement pattern, material culture, subsistence base, socio-cultural structure, and contact networks.
Research Interests: Russian Studies, Prehistoric Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Baltic Studies, Mesolithic Archaeology, and 15 moreBaltic Sea Region Studies, Stone Age (Archaeology), Archaeological GIS, Neolithic Archaeology, Survey (Archaeological Method & Theory), Russian History, Remote sensing and GIS applications in Landscape Research, Neolithic Europe, European Prehistory (Archaeology), Neolithic, Archaeological survey, Finnish History, Stone Age, Karelia, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Research Interests: Russian Studies, Prehistoric Archaeology, Pottery (Archaeology), Mesolithic Archaeology, Stone Age (Archaeology), and 11 moreNeolithic Archaeology, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Russian History, Ceramic Analysis (Archaeology), Radiocarbon Dating (Earth Sciences), AMS 14C dating, Early Bronze Age (Archaeology), 14C dating (Archaeology), European Archaeology, Chronology, and Radiocarbon Dating (Archaeology)
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Finnish hunter-gatherer rock paintings are situated on steep cliff faces that typically face onto bodies of water. Because of isostatic land uplift and lake level changes some rock paintings are situated several metres above present day... more
Finnish hunter-gatherer rock paintings are situated on steep cliff faces that typically face onto bodies of water. Because of isostatic land uplift and lake level changes some rock paintings are situated several metres above present day lake level. Using the shoreline displacement history of Lake Saimaa, a relative chronology of different rock painting motifs is presented. There has hitherto been almost no study of diachronic change in Finnish rock-art motifs. This study presents some general stylistic and orientational shifts in the rock painting tradition, shifts that are most pronounced towards the end of Subneolithic period; pictorial display seems to become more one-sided and schematic towards the end of the rock painting tradition from 2500 Cal BC onwards. Changes seem relatively synchronous throughout the Lake Saimaa catchment. Thereafter the painting tradition diminishes as Early Metal Period ceramic styles and early agriculture becomes more established in the area after 2000 Cal BC. These developments could reflect changes in the socio-economic organisation and ideology.
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Ensimmäisenä Suomessa Pälsi pyrki vuonna 1916 julkaistussa yleistajuisessa teoksessaan esittämään kokonaisvaltaisesti Suomen kivikauden kokonaiskuvaa ja aikakauden ihmisten elämää. Kirjassa on myös mielenkiintoisia mielipiteitä miesten ja... more
Ensimmäisenä Suomessa Pälsi pyrki vuonna 1916 julkaistussa yleistajuisessa teoksessaan esittämään kokonaisvaltaisesti Suomen kivikauden kokonaiskuvaa ja aikakauden ihmisten elämää. Kirjassa on
myös mielenkiintoisia mielipiteitä miesten ja naisten välisestä työnjaosta esihistorian vuosituhansina: hän esitti muun muassa, että kivikaudella merkittävä, jokapäiväisen elannon tuottanut kalastuselinkeino olisi ollut pääasiassa naisten vastuulla.
Sakari Pälsi described the life in the Finnish Stone Age in a popular style in his book ”Glimpses of the Stone Age Culture”, published in 1916. He was a pioneer in trying to create a complete picture of the era and its people’s life. In the book we also find interesting opinions about the division of work between men and women in prehistoric millennia: he suggested that during the Stone Age, fishing, which was a remarkable source of livelihood, was on women’s responsibility.
myös mielenkiintoisia mielipiteitä miesten ja naisten välisestä työnjaosta esihistorian vuosituhansina: hän esitti muun muassa, että kivikaudella merkittävä, jokapäiväisen elannon tuottanut kalastuselinkeino olisi ollut pääasiassa naisten vastuulla.
Sakari Pälsi described the life in the Finnish Stone Age in a popular style in his book ”Glimpses of the Stone Age Culture”, published in 1916. He was a pioneer in trying to create a complete picture of the era and its people’s life. In the book we also find interesting opinions about the division of work between men and women in prehistoric millennia: he suggested that during the Stone Age, fishing, which was a remarkable source of livelihood, was on women’s responsibility.
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Sakari Pälsi jätti jälkeensä lukuisia henkilökohtaisia muistikirjoja, jotka tarjoavat ainutlaatuisen, julkaistuista kirjoituksista poikkeavan näkökulman hänen ajatuksiinsa ja kiinnostavan ikkunan hänen työskentelytapoihinsa.... more
Sakari Pälsi jätti jälkeensä lukuisia henkilökohtaisia muistikirjoja, jotka tarjoavat ainutlaatuisen, julkaistuista kirjoituksista poikkeavan näkökulman hänen ajatuksiinsa ja kiinnostavan ikkunan hänen työskentelytapoihinsa. Muistikirjojen sivuille on tarttunut paljon sellaista, mitä Pälsi ei julkaissut, mutta mikä valottaa hänen mielenkiinnon kohteidensa loputonta kirjoa. Muistikirjoja on hyödynnetty esimerkiksi arkeologisen tutkimushistorian selvittelyssä, mutta niistä löytyy materiaalia myös moneen muuhun tarkoitukseen. Niiden kansien välistä löytyy esi-merkiksi matkojen varrella kuultuja, kansan suussa liikkuneita jutelmia, aarretarinoita sekä Pälsin luonnoksia tulevia kirjoitelmia varten. Kirjoista voi seurata myös Pälsin mielenkiinnon kohteiden kehitystä vuosikymmenien kuluessa, ja niistä heijastuvat osin samansuuntaiset painotukset kuin julkaistun aineiston puolelta.
Sakari Pälsi left behind many personal notebooks. These valuable archival sources illustrate new sides of Sakari Pälsi.
Sakari Pälsi left behind many personal notebooks. These valuable archival sources illustrate new sides of Sakari Pälsi.
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Недавно были получены две датировки по на- гару с ранненеолитической керамики (спер- рингс/ранняя гребенчатая керамика), значе- ния которых позволяют предположить влияние на них резервуарного эффекта. Обе даты были получены по материалам... more
Недавно были получены две датировки по на-
гару с ранненеолитической керамики (спер-
рингс/ранняя гребенчатая керамика), значе-
ния которых позволяют предположить влияние на них
резервуарного эффекта. Обе даты были получены
по материалам с памятников, расположенных на побе-
режье Литоринового моря. Глиняная посуда появляется
на Карельском перешейке, как представляется сейчас,
на несколько сотен лет раньше, чем считалось прежде.
Также эти результаты позволяют предположить, что ке-
рамика использовалась для приготовления продуктов
из речной среды.
гару с ранненеолитической керамики (спер-
рингс/ранняя гребенчатая керамика), значе-
ния которых позволяют предположить влияние на них
резервуарного эффекта. Обе даты были получены
по материалам с памятников, расположенных на побе-
режье Литоринового моря. Глиняная посуда появляется
на Карельском перешейке, как представляется сейчас,
на несколько сотен лет раньше, чем считалось прежде.
Также эти результаты позволяют предположить, что ке-
рамика использовалась для приготовления продуктов
из речной среды.
Research Interests: Russian Studies, Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Pottery (Archaeology), Baltic Studies, and 20 moreBaltic Sea Region Studies, Stone Age (Archaeology), Neolithic Archaeology, Freshwater Ecology, Russian History, Ceramic Analysis (Archaeology), Radiocarbon Dating (Earth Sciences), AMS 14C dating, Ceramics (Archaeology), Neolithic Europe, 14C dating (Archaeology), Baltic archaeology, Fishing, Radiocarbon Dating, Radiocarbon Dating (Archaeology), Radiocarbon Reservoir Effects, Karelian, Radiocarbon Age Calibration, 13C Isotopes, and Karelia
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Research Interests: History, Archaeology, Paleontology, Mesolithic Europe, Finland, and 3 moreSámi Studies, Arctic, and Subarctic
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Lithics are the most persistent archaeological material in many parts of the world. Accordingly, the study of lithics on a landscape scale is important for making interpretations of various traits of past human behaviour and cognizance.... more
Lithics are the most persistent archaeological material in many parts of the world. Accordingly, the study of lithics on a landscape scale is important for making interpretations of various traits of past human behaviour and cognizance. In this paper, we present an overview of the lithic finds located in the Khanuy Valley, north-central Mongolia. A lithic assemblage collected in the systematic surveys since 2004 presents material dating from the Palaeolithic to the Late Bronze Age. Based on the spatial distribution and landscape characteristics of the lithic find locations, interpretations of broad-scale diachronic changes in the land use and landscape cognizance are suggested. These form working hypotheses as a baseline for future inquiries into lithic technology, land use, and ways the prehistoric inhabitants comprehended and utilized their landscape in the Khanuy Valley and in the wider region.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Mobility/Mobilities, Landscape Archaeology, Anthropology of Mobility, and 23 morePalaeolithic Archaeology, Mongolian Studies, History of Mongolia, Neolithic Archaeology, Bronze Age Archaeology, Lithic Technology, Late Bronze Age archaeology, Lithics, Bronze Age (Archaeology), Settlement archaeology, Neolithic, Mongolia, Late Bronze Age, Off-site archaeology, Lithic Analysis, Upper Palaeolithic, Mongolian and Central Asian Studies, Monuments, Mongolian Archaeology, Archaeology of the Eurasian steppe belt, History of Eurasian Steppe, Mongolian history, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Stone circles are a common monumental feature of the Mongolian Bronze Age (c. 1500-800BC), frequently occurring in association with other monument types, especially khirigsuurs. Until now the content of the stone circles has not been... more
Stone circles are a common monumental feature of the Mongolian Bronze Age (c. 1500-800BC), frequently occurring in association with other monument types, especially khirigsuurs. Until now the content of the stone circles has not been identified, a fact which
has hampered our understanding not only of khirigsuurs and their related cosmology but also of the contemporary economy, owing to a research paradigm that was monument-focused until very recently. The identification of domestic bovids in these features thus has profound
implications for our approach to studying the society of this period and region. These implications, including a well-developed cosmology and economy which included the ritual sacrifice of at least three different kinds of livestock, are introduced here.
has hampered our understanding not only of khirigsuurs and their related cosmology but also of the contemporary economy, owing to a research paradigm that was monument-focused until very recently. The identification of domestic bovids in these features thus has profound
implications for our approach to studying the society of this period and region. These implications, including a well-developed cosmology and economy which included the ritual sacrifice of at least three different kinds of livestock, are introduced here.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Zooarchaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Pastoralism (Social Anthropology), and 19 moreMongolian Studies, Shamanism, Funerary Archaeology, Osteology, Late Bronze Age archaeology, Archaeology of Ritual and Magic, Mongolian Shamanism, Anthropology of Shamanism, Bronze Age (Archaeology), Ritual theory and practice (Archaeology), Bronze Age Mongolia (Archaeology), Archeologia, Pastoralism (Archaeology), Archaeology of Ritual, Bronze Age, Mongolian Archaeology, Bronze and Early Iron Age of Mongolia, Nomadic Pastoralism, and Shaman Practice
Research Interests: Mobility/Mobilities, Historical GIS, Anthropology of Mobility, Settlement Patterns, Mongolian Studies, and 16 moreArchaeological GIS, Prehistoric Settlement, Remote sensing and GIS applications in Landscape Research, Remote sensing and GIS, Archaeology of Ritual and Magic, Mobility (Archaeology), Bronze Age (Archaeology), Bronze Age Mongolia (Archaeology), Pastoralism (Archaeology), Archaeology of Ritual, Settlement archaeology, GIS and Landscape Archaeology, Bronze Age, GIS Applications in Archaeology, Mongolian Archaeology, and Nomadic Pastoralism
Recent excavations at KYR40 in the Khanuy Valley, the largest khirigsuur in Mongolia, have revealed that stone circles contain the highly calcined remains of domestic bovids. This solves one of the great remaining mysteries in Mongolia... more
Recent excavations at KYR40 in the Khanuy Valley, the largest khirigsuur in Mongolia, have revealed that stone circles contain the highly calcined remains of domestic bovids. This solves one of the great remaining mysteries in Mongolia khirigsuur research but leads to more questions regarding the role and function of stone circles and their relationship to khirigsuurs. A model is proposed here which sees stone circles act as ‘altars’ at large communal monuments – khirigsuurs – and elsewhere. In particular, analogy is drawn with modern day multi-purpose shamanic rituals which involve the sacrifice of domestic bovids.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Pastoralism (Social Anthropology), Ritual, and 28 moreMongolian Studies, Shamanism, East Asian Studies, Megalithic Monuments, Death and Burial (Archaeology), Anthropology of Mongolia, Animal Sacrifice (Anthropology), Ritual (Anthropology), Late Bronze Age archaeology, Ritual Theory, Burial Practices (Archaeology), Archaeology of Ritual and Magic, Mongolian Shamanism, Anthropology of Shamanism, Bronze Age (Archaeology), Archaeology of Central Asia, Bronze Age Mongolia (Archaeology), Pastoralism (Archaeology), Archaeology of Ritual, Central Asian Archaeology, Bronze Age, Mongolia, Late Bronze Age, Shamanism, Pagan studies, Animism, Pastoralism, Monuments, Mongolian Archaeology, and Bronze and Early Iron Age of Mongolia
Monitoimimies Sakari Pälsi on erityisen tunnettu maailmanmatkoistaan. Ensimmäiselle tutkimusmatkalleen ulkomaille hän pääsi kuitenkin vasta 26-vuotiaana, nykynäkökulmasta ajatellen varsin myöhään. Pälsi oli edellisenä vuonna saattanut... more
Monitoimimies Sakari Pälsi on erityisen tunnettu maailmanmatkoistaan. Ensimmäiselle tutkimusmatkalleen ulkomaille hän pääsi kuitenkin vasta 26-vuotiaana, nykynäkökulmasta ajatellen varsin myöhään. Pälsi oli edellisenä vuonna saattanut arkeologian yliopisto-opintonsa kunniakkaaseen päätökseen ja kaipasi mahdollisuuksia hyödyntää vastavalmistunutta tutkintoaan. Gustaf John Ramstedt (1873–1950), joka oli jo tuolloin tunnettu kielitieteilijä ja tutkimusmatkailija, oli lähdössä kuudennelle Itä-Aasian tutkimusmatkalleen. Ramstedt oli jo aiemmin tutkinut Mongolian kieltä ja kulttuuria, mutta halusi laajentaa tutkimustensa aikaperspektiiviä myös esihistorialliseen aikaan ja etsi sopivaa matkakumppania. Pälsi tarttui hanakasti mahdollisuuteen päästä Ramstedtin matkaan, ja kahden hengen tutkimusretkikunta suunnisti puoli vuotta kestäneelle tutkimusretkelle Mongolian aroille keväällä 1909. Tässä matkassa oli
monia piirteitä, joista tuli leimaa-antavia Pälsin myöhemmille reissuille. Mongolian matkalla olikin ilmeisen huomattava vaikutus Pälsin myöhemmän uran muotoutumisen kannalta.
Jack-of-all-trades Sakari Pälsi was especially renowned for his journeys abroad. However, he was able to depart on his first expedition only in the age of 26, comparatively late from a contemporary
perspective. Pälsi had, the year before, successfully completed his archaeological studies at the university and was looking for opportunities to put his newly acquired qualification to use. Gustaf
John Ramstedt (1873–1950), who was already then a renowned linguist and explorer, was leaving for his sixth expedition to East Asia.
Ramstedt had already earlier studied Mongolian language and culture, but was keen to broaden the timescale of his research to include prehistory and was in search of a suitable traveling companion. Pälsi jumped at the chance to travel with Ramstedt, and the expedition-of-two headed for a six-month exploratory journey to the Mongolian steppes in the spring of 1909. Many aspects of this journey were
to become a model for Pälsi’s later trips. This journey to Mongolia had a remarkable impact on the formation of Pälsi’s later career.
monia piirteitä, joista tuli leimaa-antavia Pälsin myöhemmille reissuille. Mongolian matkalla olikin ilmeisen huomattava vaikutus Pälsin myöhemmän uran muotoutumisen kannalta.
Jack-of-all-trades Sakari Pälsi was especially renowned for his journeys abroad. However, he was able to depart on his first expedition only in the age of 26, comparatively late from a contemporary
perspective. Pälsi had, the year before, successfully completed his archaeological studies at the university and was looking for opportunities to put his newly acquired qualification to use. Gustaf
John Ramstedt (1873–1950), who was already then a renowned linguist and explorer, was leaving for his sixth expedition to East Asia.
Ramstedt had already earlier studied Mongolian language and culture, but was keen to broaden the timescale of his research to include prehistory and was in search of a suitable traveling companion. Pälsi jumped at the chance to travel with Ramstedt, and the expedition-of-two headed for a six-month exploratory journey to the Mongolian steppes in the spring of 1909. Many aspects of this journey were
to become a model for Pälsi’s later trips. This journey to Mongolia had a remarkable impact on the formation of Pälsi’s later career.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Mongolian Studies, History of Mongolia, Anthropology of Mongolia, Mongolian Shamanism, and 13 moreFinnish Literature, Ulaanbaatar, Scientists, Naturalists, Travelers and Explorers, Mongolia, Finnish History, Mongolian and Central Asian Studies, Scientific Expeditions, Mongolian Archaeology, Archaeology of the Eurasian steppe belt, History of modern Mongolia, Mongolian history, Sakari Pälsi, and G.J. Ramstedt
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Research Interests: Public Archaeology, German History, Contemporary Archaeology, Conflict Archaeology, Battlefield Archaeology, and 14 moreArchaeology of the Contemporary Past, Nazi Germany, Community Archaeology, Modern conflict archaeology, Finland, Nazism, The Archaeology of the Recent Past, Archaeology of conflict, Nazismo, Lapland, Finlandia, History of Finland, Swedish Lapland, and Lapland War
Over the last decade archaeologists and other cultural heritage professionals have started paying attention to the material legacy of Nazi German presence in Finnish Lapland during the Second World War (WWII), as Finland's co-belligerent... more
Over the last decade archaeologists and other cultural heritage professionals have started paying attention to the material legacy of Nazi German presence in Finnish Lapland during the Second World War (WWII), as Finland's co-belligerent in the fight against the Soviet Union. At the peak of their military built-up there were over 200 000 German troops and about 30 000 of multinational Prisoners-of-War and forced labourers in this thinly inhabited northern periphery of Europe. The Finno-German "comradeship-in-arms" came to an end after Finno-Soviet cease-fire in 1944, under increasing Soviet pressure, and caused the outbreak of Lapland War between Finns and Germans 1944–1945). This ended up with the retreating German troops resorting in the scorched earth tactics, and with the so-called “Burning of Lapland”. Owing to this complex history, Finno-German relations in WWII have been a sensitive, silenced and little-discussed issue throughout the post-war decades. However, there are ruins of thousands of over-grown German military sites in northern Finland, especially in Lapland’s vast wilderness areas. The question of the cultural heritage status and value of this material legacy has been raised only recently, and is still an open and ongoing debate. However, during the archaeological and ethnographic inquiries it has been highlighted how important these material traces are for the local inhabitants, as an integral part of their ancestral, embodied every-day lifeworlds. Many locals express a strong sense of ownership and custodianship towards the material remains on their “own lands”. The traces of war have become to act as important agents of the transgenerational communal memories of war, destruction, and a host of other issues beyond those, closely intertwined with contemporary questions, such as land ownership and land-use rights. These also mirror Lapland’s long colonial history and, real and perceived, marginalization by the southern authorities, and the enduring north-south confrontations.
Research Interests: Cultural Heritage, Heritage Studies, Heritage Tourism, Second World War, Conflict Archaeology, and 19 moreBattlefield Archaeology, World War II, Cultural Heritage Management, Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, Occupation and Resistance in WW2, Second World War (History), Nazi Germany, Modern conflict archaeology, Finland, World War II history, Nazism, The Archaeology of the Recent Past, Nazi Propaganda, Nazismo, Lapland, History of Finland, WW2 archaeology, MILITARY HISTORY WW2, and Swedish Lapland
Research Interests: Public Archaeology, Refugee Studies, Race and Racism, Refugees, Anti-Racism, and 16 moreAnti-Fascism, Community Archaeology, Finland, Right-Wing Movements, Demographics, Geo-Politics and demographics, The Archaeology of the Recent Past, Right-Wing Extremism, Demographic change, Refugees and Forced Migration Studies, Refugee Crisis, Neo-Nazi, Public Outreach, Right Wing Extremism, Nationalism and Fascism in Past and Present, Antiracism, and Archaeology of Globalisation
Over the last decade archaeologists and other cultural heritage professionals have started paying attention to the material legacy of Nazi German presence in Finnish Lapland during the World War II, as Finland's co-belligerent in the... more
Over the last decade archaeologists and other cultural heritage professionals have started paying attention to the material legacy of Nazi German presence in Finnish Lapland during the World War II, as Finland's co-belligerent in the fight against the Soviet Union. At the peak of their military built-up there were over 200 000 German troops and about 30 000 of their multinational Prisoners-of-War and forced labourers in this thinly inhabited northern periphery of Europe. The Finno-German "comradeship-in-arms" came to an end under Soviet pressure in 1944, after Finno-Soviet cease-fire, and caused the outbreak of Lapland War between Finns and Germans. This ended up with the “Burning of Lapland” by the retreating German troops. Finno-German relations have thus been a sensitive and little-discussed issue throughout the post-war decades. There are ruins of thousands of over-grown German military sites in northern Finland, especially in Lapland’s vast wilderness areas. The question of the cultural heritage status and value of this material legacy has been raised only recently, and is still an open debate. However, during the archaeological and ethnographic inquiries it has been highlighted how important the material traces are for the local inhabitants, as an integral part of their ancestral, embodied every-day lifeworlds. They generally express a strong sense of ownership and custodianship towards the material remains on their “own lands”. The traces of war also act as important agents of the transgenerational communal memories of war, destruction, and a host of other issues beyond those, closely intertwined with contemporary questions. These also mirror Lapland’s long colonial history and, real and perceived, marginalization by the southern authorities, and the enduring north-south confrontations. However, these could be put into positive use, e.g. in cultural tourism, for instance, with the help of mobile augmented reality.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Historical Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, Augmented Reality, Heritage Conservation, and 14 moreSecond World War, Conflict Archaeology, Battlefield Archaeology, World War II, Cultural Heritage Management, Second World War (History), Mobile Augmented Reality, Modern conflict archaeology, Battlefield Heritage Management and Metal Detecting, Archaeology of conflict, Lapland, Archaeology of 20th century conflicts, Conflict Archeologie, and Lapland War
Research Interests: Archaeology, Public Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, Heritage Studies, Heritage Tourism, and 12 moreCultural Heritage Conservation, Augmented Reality, Heritage Conservation, Augmented Reality Art, Conflict Archaeology, Battlefield Archaeology, Cultural Heritage Management, Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, Mobile Augmented Reality, Community Archaeology, Battlefield Heritage Management and Metal Detecting, and Public Outreach
Research Interests: Shamanism, Ghosts, Cultural History Of Ghosts, Second World War, Conflict Archaeology, and 16 moreBattlefield Archaeology, World War II, Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, Archaeology of Ritual and Magic, Anthropology of Shamanism, Second World War (History), Modern conflict archaeology, Finland, Superstitions and Superstitious Belief, World War II history, Sámi Studies, Finnish History, Wehrmacht, Lapland, Superstitions and Rituals, and POW Camps
Call for papers: EAA-session Who Owns the Battlefield?
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Battlefields are multilayered and meaningful places. Last decades an increasing interest is seen among archaeologists to investigate these places. On these battlefields they are likely to meet a wide range of people. Not at least... more
Battlefields are multilayered and meaningful places. Last decades an increasing interest is seen among archaeologists to investigate these places. On these battlefields they are likely to meet a wide range of people. Not at least relatives of soldiers who fought or even died the-re and who consider these fields to be a place of memory or mourning. Battlefields are also considered potentially dangerous places because of the possible presence of unexploded ordnance. EOD clearance can be in conflict with the cultural value of battlefields, be a form of social injustice, or simply damage the research potential of the battlefield. Moreover, battlefields are also visited by tourists who want to visit, see and feel the places where it all happened, or metaldetectorists hunting for war relics.
What is the position of the archaeologists in this field of possibly conflicting meanings? How are archaeologists to reckon with the highly emotional meaning of these places? Can emotion be a reason to do archaeological research, or on the contrary: a reason to refrain from research?
The aim of the session is to investigate best practices of archaeological approaches towards battlefields and conflict sites. Ultimate goal is to formulate a set of ‘rules of engagement’ for archaeological research on battlefields. We focus on modern warfare and conflict (WWI, WWII, post- WWII). We want to have an extended, in-depth discussion on the theme in a discussion-session (PechaKucha); we want to avoid a discussion on policy or legal issues. We invite colleagues to give a short introduction of their own experiences and dilemmas.
Main question is how we should deal with these topics:
- personal experiences/viewpoints of relatives of war victims;
- the archaeologists own personal experience/viewpoint;
- metaldectorists on battlefields;
- battlefields as a touristic site;
- battlefields as places that should not be disturbed;
- battlefields as places of commemoration;
- sharing of sensitive research results with the public;
- the nationalities of the conflict (perpetrator heritage);
- the present day comrades of the soldiers who fought on a historic battlefield;
- …
The session is a success if the discussion leads up to a set of ‘rules of engagement.’
What is the position of the archaeologists in this field of possibly conflicting meanings? How are archaeologists to reckon with the highly emotional meaning of these places? Can emotion be a reason to do archaeological research, or on the contrary: a reason to refrain from research?
The aim of the session is to investigate best practices of archaeological approaches towards battlefields and conflict sites. Ultimate goal is to formulate a set of ‘rules of engagement’ for archaeological research on battlefields. We focus on modern warfare and conflict (WWI, WWII, post- WWII). We want to have an extended, in-depth discussion on the theme in a discussion-session (PechaKucha); we want to avoid a discussion on policy or legal issues. We invite colleagues to give a short introduction of their own experiences and dilemmas.
Main question is how we should deal with these topics:
- personal experiences/viewpoints of relatives of war victims;
- the archaeologists own personal experience/viewpoint;
- metaldectorists on battlefields;
- battlefields as a touristic site;
- battlefields as places that should not be disturbed;
- battlefields as places of commemoration;
- sharing of sensitive research results with the public;
- the nationalities of the conflict (perpetrator heritage);
- the present day comrades of the soldiers who fought on a historic battlefield;
- …
The session is a success if the discussion leads up to a set of ‘rules of engagement.’
Research Interests: Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Contemporary Archaeology, Conflict Archaeology, Battlefield Archaeology, and 9 moreArchaeology of the Contemporary Past, Archaeology of Contemporary Past, Modern conflict archaeology, Battlefield Heritage Management and Metal Detecting, The Archaeology of the Recent Past, Battlefield Tourism, Battlefield Heritage Tourism, Call for Papers, and Call for Papers, Cultural Studies
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In the later part of World War 2 Finland and Nazi Germany were co-belligerents, with over 200 000 German soldiers holding the frontal responsibility in the northern half of Finnish eastern front. As a consequence of a major Russian... more
In the later part of World War 2 Finland and Nazi Germany were co-belligerents, with over 200 000 German soldiers holding the frontal responsibility in the northern half of Finnish eastern front. As a consequence of a major Russian offensive in 1944, Finland made a cease fire treaty with the Soviet Union: this treaty demanded Finns to drive out the German troops which resulted in a Finno-German “Lapland War” in 1944-45. Practically the whole civilian population of Lapland was evacuated to the southern parts of Finland and to Sweden before the outbreak of hostilities, excluding some reindeer herders who stayed behind in the fjells to look after the animal herds. Germans used the scorched earth tactics during their retreat to Norway, and destroyed the infrastructure within their reach and littered the landscape with explosives. In 1940-44, before the Lapland War, the relations between German troops and civilians in Lapland were generally cordial, but the post-war memories have been taken over by the powerful images of a homeland destroyed by fire and explosion, in both the official and private accounts. This appears to also colour the views of and engagement with the cultural heritage of the era. In this paper I review the experiences of Lapland’s evacuees, and assess the effects these incidents might have had on the way different communities signify the material remains of German presence. Also the material heritage of the evacuation itself is considered, for instance the refugee camps established in Sweden.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Historical Archaeology, German History, Mobility/Mobilities, Second World War, and 16 moreConflict Archaeology, World War II, Modern conflict archaeology, Finland, Sámi Studies, Finnish History, Wehrmacht, Lapland, (Forced) residential mobility, Archaeology of Internment, History of Finland, Sámi Archaeology, Sámi History, Evacuation, WW2 Civilian Internment, and Swedish Lapland
Enigmatic monumental stone enclosures dubbed in the local vernacular “Giant’s Churches” have stirred the imagination of Finnish archaeologist for over 200 years, without the researchers reaching a conclusive understanding of their... more
Enigmatic monumental stone enclosures dubbed in the local vernacular “Giant’s Churches” have stirred the imagination of Finnish archaeologist for over 200 years, without the researchers reaching a conclusive understanding of their function and importance in the prehistory. “Giant’s Churches” are massive dry-stonewalled structures, ranging in size from 20x10 m to as large as 60x30 m, with stonewalls up to 7 m wide and 2 m tall, and situated on hilltops by the past seashore. They date to ca. 3500-2000 calBC, and have seemed misplaced for the general understanding of the (purportedly peaceful) (Sub-)Neolithic hunter-gatherers of the area. Thus they have been interpreted over two centuries in a variety of ways, ranging from natural formations and burial structures to gigantic refrigerators of seal meat and ceremonial centers. However, already some of the earliest interpretations suggested they were fortresses, which seems like a reasonable explanation also based on the current archaeological record. In this poster a GIS-based approach to evaluate the interpretation of “Giant’s Churches” as Neolithic fortifications is presented, building on a variety of GIS and other analyses. Carried out analyses reconstruct the palaeo-environmental settings of the sites, and evaluate, for instance, their setting for the dominance and visual control of landscape, and model the potential movement and accessibility patterns. Also the association of "Giant's Churches" with the broader archaeological background is briefly reviewed, and some conceivable socio-economic patterns behind the emergence of this phenomenon are discussed.
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Lake Pyhäjärvi – Ozero Otradnoe -project developed as a continuation of research projects conducted by IIMK/RAN, MAE/RAN and University of Helsinki in 1999–2005 in Kaukola (Sevastyanovo) and Räisälä (Melnikovo) areas along the River... more
Lake Pyhäjärvi – Ozero Otradnoe -project developed as a continuation of research projects conducted by IIMK/RAN, MAE/RAN and University of Helsinki in 1999–2005 in Kaukola (Sevastyanovo) and Räisälä (Melnikovo) areas along the River Vuoksi watercourse. Pyhäjärvi
is directly neighbouring this intensively studied region on its southern side, but practically no archaeological research had been conducted in the large area stretching from the northern branch of River Vuoksi to the Lake Ladoga. An idea developed to see what kind of image of Stone
Age can be obtained by applying modern fieldwork methodology from the beginning vis-à-vis the neighbouring region studied for over 100 years. Another aim was to simply collect more material about the human habitation of Karelian Isthmus. In targeted intensive surveys in
2005–2008 altogether 50 new Stone Age and Early Metal Period sites were located. Of these, six localities were test-excavated in 2006, and more extensive excavations carried out at the multi-layered Kunnianiemi (Komsomolskoe 3) site in 2006 and 2007, revealing nearly three meters deep stratified archaeological deposits with sealed cultural contexts. In this poster the main results of project’s fieldwork will be summarized.
is directly neighbouring this intensively studied region on its southern side, but practically no archaeological research had been conducted in the large area stretching from the northern branch of River Vuoksi to the Lake Ladoga. An idea developed to see what kind of image of Stone
Age can be obtained by applying modern fieldwork methodology from the beginning vis-à-vis the neighbouring region studied for over 100 years. Another aim was to simply collect more material about the human habitation of Karelian Isthmus. In targeted intensive surveys in
2005–2008 altogether 50 new Stone Age and Early Metal Period sites were located. Of these, six localities were test-excavated in 2006, and more extensive excavations carried out at the multi-layered Kunnianiemi (Komsomolskoe 3) site in 2006 and 2007, revealing nearly three meters deep stratified archaeological deposits with sealed cultural contexts. In this poster the main results of project’s fieldwork will be summarized.
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The last 10–15 years have witnessed a serious rise in the archaeology of Karelian Isthmus. Already the pre-War studies showed that multiperiod sites, typically situated on fields and with mixed stratigraphy, were fairly ordinary in the... more
The last 10–15 years have witnessed a serious rise in the archaeology of Karelian Isthmus. Already the pre-War studies showed that multiperiod sites, typically situated on fields and with mixed stratigraphy, were fairly ordinary in the area. Recent fieldwork since the turn of 2000s
has revealed yet another group of locations, deeply stratified multilayer sites. These sites are settlements with several subsequent occupational phases more or less clearly separated by transgression layers. They therefore deviate from the majority of previously known sites with
mixed contexts and provide unique opportunity to study closed contexts with perfect temporal control. The most imposing of such sites are the stratified Kunnianiemi (Komsomolskoe 3) site in Pyhäjärvi (Plodovoe), the Telkkälä Silino site in Muolaa (Pravdino), and Ohta 1 at the mouth
of River Ohta in St. Petersburg, but also other sites like Ozernoe 3 in Heinjoki (Veshchevo) are known. Multilayer sites have been found and studied in the field campaigns by Kunstkamera, Russian Academy of Sciences and IIMK/RAN (St. Petersburg, Russia), University of Helsinki
(Finland) and City Museum of Lahti (Finland). This poster presents briefly the key sites, their chronology, and archaeological material.
has revealed yet another group of locations, deeply stratified multilayer sites. These sites are settlements with several subsequent occupational phases more or less clearly separated by transgression layers. They therefore deviate from the majority of previously known sites with
mixed contexts and provide unique opportunity to study closed contexts with perfect temporal control. The most imposing of such sites are the stratified Kunnianiemi (Komsomolskoe 3) site in Pyhäjärvi (Plodovoe), the Telkkälä Silino site in Muolaa (Pravdino), and Ohta 1 at the mouth
of River Ohta in St. Petersburg, but also other sites like Ozernoe 3 in Heinjoki (Veshchevo) are known. Multilayer sites have been found and studied in the field campaigns by Kunstkamera, Russian Academy of Sciences and IIMK/RAN (St. Petersburg, Russia), University of Helsinki
(Finland) and City Museum of Lahti (Finland). This poster presents briefly the key sites, their chronology, and archaeological material.
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Extensive archaeological and ethnographic fieldwork in northern-central Mongolia has identified a pattern of habitation in the Bronze and Iron Ages that seems broadly similar to that of today and zooarchaeological data and stable isotope... more
Extensive archaeological and ethnographic fieldwork in northern-central Mongolia has identified a pattern of habitation in the Bronze and Iron Ages that seems broadly similar to that of today and zooarchaeological data and stable isotope analysis of horse teeth and lake cores suggest that the corresponding climate also compares favourably with that of today. This apparent stability and consistency masks more subtle adaptations in the way that the human population of the region adapted to its environment.
Ethnoarchaeological and zooarchaeological studies indicate a system of subsistence focused on the seasonal exploitation of pastures and resources in the Bronze Age, with large monuments of that period at the centre of the seasonal migration paths. Many of these Bronze Age seasonal habitation sites are occupied today and, also, in the Iron Age. At that time though, the monumental focus of the region switches to the periphery and one area of the existing areas of habitation becomes exploited more intensively. From the end of the Iron Age, however, there are scant traces of occupation on the sites until the present day but there are archaeological indicators of habitation on the opposite edge of the region from the Iron Age monumental sites. Stable isotope analysis and regional palynological studies suggest that this shift in the human ecology of the region may coincide with a change in the climate and, thus represent adaptation to differing resource availability.
The research presented here then, presents a picture of a region in which changes in subsistence strategy have happened at least twice as a result of (or, at least, coincident with) local and regional climate change. At the same time, changes to the social dynamics of the population and to the corresponding strategies of resource use also occurred at least once within the same environmental constraints.
Ethnoarchaeological and zooarchaeological studies indicate a system of subsistence focused on the seasonal exploitation of pastures and resources in the Bronze Age, with large monuments of that period at the centre of the seasonal migration paths. Many of these Bronze Age seasonal habitation sites are occupied today and, also, in the Iron Age. At that time though, the monumental focus of the region switches to the periphery and one area of the existing areas of habitation becomes exploited more intensively. From the end of the Iron Age, however, there are scant traces of occupation on the sites until the present day but there are archaeological indicators of habitation on the opposite edge of the region from the Iron Age monumental sites. Stable isotope analysis and regional palynological studies suggest that this shift in the human ecology of the region may coincide with a change in the climate and, thus represent adaptation to differing resource availability.
The research presented here then, presents a picture of a region in which changes in subsistence strategy have happened at least twice as a result of (or, at least, coincident with) local and regional climate change. At the same time, changes to the social dynamics of the population and to the corresponding strategies of resource use also occurred at least once within the same environmental constraints.
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"Stone circles, sometimes known as hearths, are one of the most frequently occuring Bronze Age Mongolian monuments, appearing in conjuction with khirigsuurs and deer-stones as well as separately. Despite their ubiquity, little is... more
"Stone circles, sometimes known as hearths, are one of the most frequently occuring Bronze Age Mongolian monuments, appearing in conjuction with khirigsuurs and deer-stones as well as separately. Despite their ubiquity, little is understood about their function or contents - previously best identified as cremated medium mammal - with opinion divided as to whether or not fires were lit within the stone circles.
This paper presents new data which seeks to clarify some of these questions. Between 2010 and 2012 a number of stone circles were excavated in Central and Western Mongolia, principally in association with khirigsuurs but also some from deer-stone complexes. New mapping of large khirigsuur complexes helps to situate the features in the landscape, and so suggest how they fit into people's lives, whilst systematic excavation has shed new light on the depositional circumstances. Finally, zooarchaeological analysis has revealed more precisely the contents of the stone circles."
This paper presents new data which seeks to clarify some of these questions. Between 2010 and 2012 a number of stone circles were excavated in Central and Western Mongolia, principally in association with khirigsuurs but also some from deer-stone complexes. New mapping of large khirigsuur complexes helps to situate the features in the landscape, and so suggest how they fit into people's lives, whilst systematic excavation has shed new light on the depositional circumstances. Finally, zooarchaeological analysis has revealed more precisely the contents of the stone circles."
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"Research into prehistoric Mongolia has often been monument focused, which has led to a skewed understanding of a variety of facets of past cultures. One of these aspects is diet and subsistence. Recent work in Arkhangai aimag, in Central... more
"Research into prehistoric Mongolia has often been monument focused, which has led to a skewed understanding of a variety of facets of past cultures. One of these aspects is diet and subsistence. Recent work in Arkhangai aimag, in Central Mongolia, has focussed on identifying and excavating habitation sites associated with Bronze Age and Xiongnu cultures. Alongside material culture, the excavations have also yielded faunal remains.
This paper interprets the analysis of the animal bones from these sites to shed new light on the economy and lifestyle of the peoples associated with them: for the first time we can begin to glimpse a complex subsistence strategy which functioned in sympathy with the local environment. This strategy was to prove so successful that, once adopted, it changed little between the Bronze and Iron Ages and, indeed, through to the present day."
This paper interprets the analysis of the animal bones from these sites to shed new light on the economy and lifestyle of the peoples associated with them: for the first time we can begin to glimpse a complex subsistence strategy which functioned in sympathy with the local environment. This strategy was to prove so successful that, once adopted, it changed little between the Bronze and Iron Ages and, indeed, through to the present day."
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This paper examines the issue of mobility in the context of Bronze Age Mongolia. Recent fieldwork has identified a pattern of seasonal mobility in the Khanuy Valley which shows considerable similarity to present day patterns. Supportive... more
This paper examines the issue of mobility in the context of Bronze Age Mongolia. Recent fieldwork has identified a pattern of seasonal mobility in the Khanuy Valley which shows considerable similarity to present day patterns. Supportive ethnographic work has shown that the issue of mobility is integral to perceptions of identity in the present day population in the same region, and that this mobility is expressed through daily, annual, decadal and generational cycles. The spatial relationship between domestic habitation sites in the region and large-scale monumental complexes suggest that the themes of mobility and liminality were also an intrinsic part of belief systems in the region in the Bronze Age. The theme of movement through the landscape and through the seasons is explored through the analysis of landscape archaeology, ethnoarchaeology and zooarchaeological evidence. It is suggested that understanding past mobilities in the region is crucial to our interpretation of past lifestyles and cultures.
Research Interests: Remote Sensing, Ethnoarchaeology, Pastoralism in Africa, Satellite remote sensing, Remote Sensing (Earth Sciences), and 10 moreRemote sensing and GIS applications in Landscape Research, Tanzania, Remote sensing and GIS, Nomadic Peoples, Pastoralism (Archaeology), Maasai, Pastoralism, Nomadic Pastoralism, African Rift Valley, and QuickBird
As part of Hitler's attack on the Soviet Union German troops had frontal responsibility in northern Finland from 1941 to 1944. After a cease-fire with Soviet Union in 1944 Finland was forced to turn against Germans, which resulted in the... more
As part of Hitler's attack on the Soviet Union German troops had frontal responsibility in northern Finland from 1941 to 1944. After a cease-fire with Soviet Union in 1944 Finland was forced to turn against Germans, which resulted in the Lapland War between former allies. Upon their forced retreat to Norway German troops destroyed all their own military sites and also Lapland’s towns, infrastructure, and private property within their reach. The Germans, from a Finnish perspective, were both friends and foes, who provided support in the war but also 'burned down Lapland'. It is no surprise that Finnish-German relations in WWII have been a tender subject in Finland. Remains of German military sites are abundant in Lapland, but lack official heritage status and are usually regarded in negative terms. It is hoped that archaeological research and public outreach could have a potential to put this material heritage into positive uses.
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A B S T R A C T Lithics are the most persistent archaeological material in many parts of the world. Accordingly, the study of lithics on a landscape scale is important for making interpretations of various traits of past human behaviour... more
A B S T R A C T Lithics are the most persistent archaeological material in many parts of the world. Accordingly, the study of lithics on a landscape scale is important for making interpretations of various traits of past human behaviour and cognizance. In this paper, we present an overview of the lithic finds located in the Khanuy Valley, north-central Mongolia. A lithic assemblage collected in the systematic surveys since 2004 presents material dating from the Palaeolithic to the Late Bronze Age. Based on the spatial distribution and landscape characteristics of the lithic find locations, interpretations of broad-scale diachronic changes in the land use and landscape cognizance are suggested. These form working hypotheses as a baseline for future inquiries into lithic technology, land use, and ways the prehistoric inhabitants comprehended and utilized their landscape in the Khanuy Valley and in the wider region.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Mobility/Mobilities, Landscape Archaeology, Inner Asian Studies, Eurasian Nomads, and 10 moreLithics, Landuse Change, Pastoralism (Archaeology), Mobility, Mongolia, Off-site archaeology, Nomads, Mongolian and Central Asian Studies, Archaeology of the Eurasian steppe belt, and Inner Asian Archaeology
Research Interests: Russian Studies, Prehistoric Archaeology, Geology, Geochemistry, Mesolithic Archaeology, and 13 moreNeolithic Archaeology, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), History of Russian North, Russian History, Radiocarbon Dating (Earth Sciences), European Archaeology, Finland, Stone Age Archaeology, Chronology, Early Bronze Age Archaeology, Radiocarbon Dating (Archaeology), Ceramic Analysis Archaeology, and Pottery Archaeology
This site list includes all the Stone Age and Early Metal Period dwelling sites known from the area of studied municipalities (Johannes, Kaukola, Koivisto, Kuolemajärvi, Kurkijoki and Räisälä) and some neighbouring municipalities... more
This site list includes all the Stone Age and Early Metal Period dwelling sites known from the area of studied municipalities (Johannes, Kaukola, Koivisto, Kuolemajärvi, Kurkijoki and Räisälä) and some neighbouring municipalities (Hiitola, Jaakkima and Lumivaara) before the end of year 2003. The descriptions of the new sites are based on and modified from the survey and excavation reports (see individual municipalities for corresponding studies) – the original reports are stored at the University of Helsinki, Institute for Cultural Research, Department of Archaeology (hence Univ. Helsinki) and in the archives of the Institute for the History of Material Culture, Russian Academy of Sciences (St. Petersburg) (hence IIMK/RAN) and Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography, Kunstkamera, Russian Academy of Sciences (St. Petersburg) (hence Kunstkamera). The descriptions of the sites known before 1945 are based on the Finnish excavation reports and the Catalogue of archaeologic...
The exploratory investigation of two sites in Kenya throws new light on the transition from a ‘stone age’ to an ‘iron age’. The model of widespread cultural replacement by Bantu-speaking iron producers is questioned and instead the... more
The exploratory investigation of two sites in Kenya throws new light on the transition from a ‘stone age’ to an ‘iron age’. The model of widespread cultural replacement by Bantu-speaking iron producers is questioned and instead the authors propose a long interaction with regional variations. In matters of lithics, ceramics, hunting, gathering, husbandry and cooking, East African people created local and eclectic packages of change between 1500BC and AD500.
Research Interests:
The Karelian Isthmus has played a central role in understanding Finnish Stone Age and Early Metal Period. This is because of its topographic position with waterways which are connecting several large water basins – the Gulf of Finland,... more
The Karelian Isthmus has played a central role in understanding Finnish Stone Age and Early Metal Period. This is because of its topographic position with waterways which are connecting several large water basins – the Gulf of Finland, Lake Ladoga and Lake Saimaa. During the Stone Age and Early Metal Period several changes have taken place in the water connections and elevations of all the basins which have influenced the topographic setting of dwelling sites. The Karelian Isthmus has also been the route for people to reach each other in the large areas in the west and east.A central objective of the paper is to elucidate the long research history of the Isthmus particularly in the light of Finnish archaeology. Until the end of the World War II the area belonged to the most important research areas for Finnish archaeologists. After the long period of silence, the fieldwork has quickly increased during the 1990s and particularly in the Early 2000s. For these reasons also this latest period of research will be discussed. The position of sites in the neighbourhood of waterways is discussed, although it is not possible to do detailed examinations of their position.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Geology, Mesolithic Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, History of Russian North, and 11 moreRussian History, World War II, Quaternary, History of Archaeology, History of Archaeological Research, Finland, Stone Age Archaeology, Finnish History, Karelia, Gulf of Finland, and Early Metal Period
One of the most important developments in African archaeology and cognate disciplines over the last few decades has been the increasing sophistication of the types of model used to document and explain the so-called 'Bantu... more
One of the most important developments in African archaeology and cognate disciplines over the last few decades has been the increasing sophistication of the types of model used to document and explain the so-called 'Bantu Expansion'. In the 1960s and 1970s, the spread of Bantu ...
Research Interests: Archaeology, Zooarchaeology, Pastoralism (Social Anthropology), Pastoralism in Africa, East Africa, and 12 moreNeolithic Archaeology, Kenya, Lithic Technology, Roman North Africa (Archaeology), Neolithic Transition, Pastoral landscapes (Archaeology), Pastoralism (Archaeology), Ancient Agriculture & Farming (Archaeology), Antiquity, African Archaeology, Pastoralism, and Ceramic Analysis Archaeology
Recent excavations at KYR40 in the Khanuy Valley, the largest khirigsuur in Mongolia, have revealed that stone circles contain the highly calcined remains of domestic bovids. This solves one of the great remaining mysteries in Mongolian... more
Recent excavations at KYR40 in the Khanuy Valley, the largest khirigsuur in Mongolia, have revealed that stone circles contain the highly calcined remains of domestic bovids. This solves one of the great remaining mysteries in Mongolian khirigsuur research but leads to more questions regarding the role and function of stone circles and their relationship to khirigsuurs. A model is proposed here which sees stone circles act as ‘altars’ at large communal monuments – khirigsuurs – and elsewhere. In particular, analogy is drawn with modern day multi-purpose shamanic rituals which involve the sacrifice of domestic bovids.
Архангай аймгийн Өндөр-Улаан сумын нутаг Хануйн хөндийд хэд хэдэн асар том хиригсүүр бий. Үүний нэг нь монгол нутаг дахь хамгийн томоохон хиригсүүрийн нэгэнд тооцогдох Урт булагийн амны хиригсүүр (KYR40) бөгөөд энэ дурсгалын орчимд Монгол-Америкийн хамтарсан “Хануйн хөндий” төслийн судалгааны баг 2011 онд малтан судалсан цагираг хэлбэрийн тахилгын байгууламжуудаас өндөр хэмд шатсан бог малын болон үхрийн ясны жижиг хугархай хэсгүүд гарсан билээ. Энэ нь монголын хиригсүүрийн судалгааны нэгэн асуудлыг шийдэх урьдчилсан боломжийг олгосон төдийгүй цагираг хэлбэрийн тахилгын байгууламж түүний үүрэг зориулалт, хиригсүүртэй хэрхэн холбогдох хамаарлын талаарх асуултууд руу хөтөлсөөр байна. Энэхүү өгүүлэлд дэвшүүлсэн үзэл санааны загвар нь цагираг хэлбэрийн тахилгын байгууламж нь томоохон хэмжээний нийтийн дурсгал болох хиригсүүр болон бусад дурсгалын орчин дахь “тахилга”-ын зан үйл болохыг илчилж байна. Ялангуяа орчин үеийн бөө мөргөлийн олон талын зорилго бүхий тахилгын зан үйлд бог мал болон үхрээр тахилга өргөх зан үйлтэй ижил төстэй байна.
Архангай аймгийн Өндөр-Улаан сумын нутаг Хануйн хөндийд хэд хэдэн асар том хиригсүүр бий. Үүний нэг нь монгол нутаг дахь хамгийн томоохон хиригсүүрийн нэгэнд тооцогдох Урт булагийн амны хиригсүүр (KYR40) бөгөөд энэ дурсгалын орчимд Монгол-Америкийн хамтарсан “Хануйн хөндий” төслийн судалгааны баг 2011 онд малтан судалсан цагираг хэлбэрийн тахилгын байгууламжуудаас өндөр хэмд шатсан бог малын болон үхрийн ясны жижиг хугархай хэсгүүд гарсан билээ. Энэ нь монголын хиригсүүрийн судалгааны нэгэн асуудлыг шийдэх урьдчилсан боломжийг олгосон төдийгүй цагираг хэлбэрийн тахилгын байгууламж түүний үүрэг зориулалт, хиригсүүртэй хэрхэн холбогдох хамаарлын талаарх асуултууд руу хөтөлсөөр байна. Энэхүү өгүүлэлд дэвшүүлсэн үзэл санааны загвар нь цагираг хэлбэрийн тахилгын байгууламж нь томоохон хэмжээний нийтийн дурсгал болох хиригсүүр болон бусад дурсгалын орчин дахь “тахилга”-ын зан үйл болохыг илчилж байна. Ялангуяа орчин үеийн бөө мөргөлийн олон талын зорилго бүхий тахилгын зан үйлд бог мал болон үхрээр тахилга өргөх зан үйлтэй ижил төстэй байна.
Research Interests: Zooarchaeology, Bioarchaeology, Archaeozoology, Mongolian Studies, Archaeology of Ritual and Magic, and 7 moreRitual theory and practice (Archaeology), Bronze Age Mongolia (Archaeology), Ritual Zooarchaeology, Pastoralism (Archaeology), Archaeology of Ritual, Mongolian and Central Asian Studies, and Mongolian Archaeology
Stone circles are a common monumental feature of the Mongolian Bronze Age (c. 1500- 800BC), frequently occurring in association with other monument types, especially khirigsuurs. Until now the content of the stone circles has not been... more
Stone circles are a common monumental feature of the Mongolian Bronze Age (c. 1500- 800BC), frequently occurring in association with other monument types, especially khirigsuurs. Until now the content of the stone circles has not been identified, a fact which has hampered our understanding not only of khirigsuurs and their related cosmology but also of the contemporary economy, owing to a research paradigm that was monument-focused until very recently. The identification of domestic bovids in these features thus has profound implications for our approach to studying the society of this period and region. These implications, including a well-developed cosmology and economy which included the ritual sacrifice of at least three different kinds of livestock, are introduced here.
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In this paper all the Stone Age and Early Metal Period (ca. 8600 cal BC — 300 AD) radiocarbon dates from the Karelian Isthmus, Russia, are compiled and their archaeological usability assessed using a set of evaluation principles. The... more
In this paper all the Stone Age and Early Metal Period (ca. 8600 cal BC — 300 AD) radiocarbon dates from the Karelian Isthmus, Russia, are compiled and their archaeological usability assessed using a set of evaluation principles. The quality of radiometric dates from such a large area has rarely been methodologically examined in Finnish or North-West Russian archaeology, and is applied here for the first time on the present material. Special attention is given to the discussion on the deficiencies and limitations of the current data. Based on the 81 dates evaluated as useful, a tentative radiocarbon chronology is presented for the study area. This is generally in sequence with the chronologies of the nearby areas, but suggests some differences especially towards the end of Stone Age, as well as the presence of biases caused by taphonomic and research-related factors.
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The Karelian Isthmus has played a central role in understanding Finnish Stone Age and Early Metal Period. This is because of its topographic position with waterways which are connecting several large water basins – the Gulf of Finland,... more
The Karelian Isthmus has played a central role in understanding Finnish Stone Age and Early Metal Period. This is because of its topographic position with waterways which are connecting several large water basins – the Gulf of Finland, Lake Ladoga and Lake Saimaa. During the Stone Age and Early Metal Period several changes have taken place in the water connections and elevations of all the basins which have influenced the topographic setting of dwelling sites. The Karelian Isthmus has also been the route for people to reach each other in the large areas in the west and east.A central objective of the paper is to elucidate the long research history of the Isthmus particularly in the light of Finnish archaeology. Until the end of the World War II the area belonged to the most important research areas for Finnish archaeologists. After the long period of silence, the fieldwork has quickly increased during the 1990s and particularly in the Early 2000s. For these reasons also this latest period of research will be discussed. The position of sites in the neighbourhood of waterways is discussed, although it is not possible to do detailed examinations of their position.
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Research Interests:
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Research Interests: Military History, Archaeology, Historical Archaeology, German History, Cultural Heritage, and 13 moreMaterial Culture Studies, Heritage Studies, War Studies, Second World War, Conflict Archaeology, Prisoners of War, World War II, Scandinavian history, Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, Material Culture, Nazi Germany, Finland, and Scandinavian Archaeology
As part of a larger project examining the introduction of herding into northern Tanzania, surveys and excavations were conducted at the southern edge of the Mbulu Plateau, documenting the presence of Narosura ceramics dating to the early... more
As part of a larger project examining the introduction of herding into northern Tanzania, surveys and excavations were conducted at the southern edge of the Mbulu Plateau, documenting the presence of Narosura ceramics dating to the early third millennium BP, as well as a Later Stone Age occupation dated via ostrich eggshell to the tenth millennium BP. This marks the southernmost extent of the Pastoral Neolithic in eastern Africa. The paucity of sites attributable to early herding in this area may be due to a lack of survey in landscapes likely to have been preferred by livestock owners and to extensive contemporary cultivation in those same areas. Links can be drawn between the study area and previously documented sites with Narosura materials near Lake Eyasi, and between the study area and obsidian sources in the Lake Naivasha area of the Rift Valley, making the plateau and its surroundings a potentially promising area for further research.
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The exploratory investigation of two sites in Kenya throws new light on the transition from a ‘stone age’ to an ‘iron age’. The model of widespread cultural replacement by Bantu-speaking iron producers is questioned and instead the... more
The exploratory investigation of two sites in Kenya throws new light on the transition from a ‘stone age’ to an ‘iron age’. The model of widespread cultural replacement by Bantu-speaking iron producers is questioned and instead the authors propose a long interaction with regional variations. In matters of lithics, ceramics, hunting, gathering, husbandry and cooking, East African people created local and eclectic packages of change between 1500 BC and AD 500