- Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Neolithic Transition, Material Culture Studies, Archaeology of the Contemporary Past, and 30 moreMaterial Culture, History of Archeology, History of Russian North, Russian History, Neolithic Europe, Mesolithic Europe, Mesolithic Archaeology, Mesolithic/Neolithic, Pottery (Archaeology), Ceramics (Archaeology), Ceramic Analysis (Archaeology), Corded Ware Culture, History of Archaeology, Second World War, Stone Age (Archaeology), Metal Finds (Archaeology), Chinese archaeology, Archaeology of Central Asia, Archaeology of the Eurasian steppe belt, Eurasian Nomads, Neolithic, Prehistoric Archaeology, Archaeological Method & Theory, Early Bronze Age (Archaeology), Radiocarbon Dating (Archaeology), Archaeology of Beer and Cereal Fermentation, Migration Studies, Ancient DNA Research, Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology, and Chronologyedit
This work focuses on the Stone Age of north-eastern Europe between 5500 and 1800 calBC. Called the Neolithic in Finland and the Neolithic and Eneolithic in north-western Russia, the period and its research are characterized both by the... more
This work focuses on the Stone Age of north-eastern Europe between 5500 and 1800 calBC. Called the Neolithic in Finland and the Neolithic and Eneolithic in north-western Russia, the period and its research are characterized both by the encounters and separations between ‘the East’ and ‘the West’. Still, despite more than 100 years of archaeological research, few inter-regional studies exist.
This dissertation aims to provide an overview of the basic concepts of the terminology and periodization and outline a general (absolute) chronological framework of the area. In addition, a historical research review of the present state of affairs is provided. Four case studies aspire to illustrate the varying (east–west-directed) contact networks that existed in the area during the Neolithic.
The second central topic of this work is the Neolithic itself. The research area is located on the border of two major traditions defining the period either based on the appearance of productive livelihoods (west) or pottery technology (east). However, the purely Eurocentric and techno-economical views of the Neolithic have been recently challenged. An evaluation of the used terms and criteria are presented here in the context of north-eastern Europe.
The Finnish-Russian border and national prehistories have affected and still affect the study of prehistory in north-eastern Europe. They have prevented studying many prehistoric phenomena to their full extent and have restricted the understanding of inter-regional interaction — during much of the Neolithic, the research area was not the last outpost of the western world but rather the north-western part of a vast Eurasian contact zone. The traditional definitions of the Neolithic have placed north-eastern Europe in an anomalous and peripheral position, but understanding the development as genuinely varying and multipolar would facilitate a more holistic and value-free examination of the period.
This dissertation aims to provide an overview of the basic concepts of the terminology and periodization and outline a general (absolute) chronological framework of the area. In addition, a historical research review of the present state of affairs is provided. Four case studies aspire to illustrate the varying (east–west-directed) contact networks that existed in the area during the Neolithic.
The second central topic of this work is the Neolithic itself. The research area is located on the border of two major traditions defining the period either based on the appearance of productive livelihoods (west) or pottery technology (east). However, the purely Eurocentric and techno-economical views of the Neolithic have been recently challenged. An evaluation of the used terms and criteria are presented here in the context of north-eastern Europe.
The Finnish-Russian border and national prehistories have affected and still affect the study of prehistory in north-eastern Europe. They have prevented studying many prehistoric phenomena to their full extent and have restricted the understanding of inter-regional interaction — during much of the Neolithic, the research area was not the last outpost of the western world but rather the north-western part of a vast Eurasian contact zone. The traditional definitions of the Neolithic have placed north-eastern Europe in an anomalous and peripheral position, but understanding the development as genuinely varying and multipolar would facilitate a more holistic and value-free examination of the period.
Research Interests: Prehistoric Archaeology, Pottery (Archaeology), Material Culture Studies, Border Studies, Northern Europe, and 11 moreNeolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, History of Russian North, Neolithic Europe, History of Archaeology, Finland, Chronology, Eneolithic, Radiocarbon Dating (Archaeology), History of Finland, and archeology of the north-western Russia
Определение понятия “неолит” осложнено существованием обширной историографии с множеством различных характеристик и описаний. Несоответствие понятий “западноевропейского неолита”, определяемого наличием производящего хозяйства, с одной... more
Определение понятия “неолит” осложнено существованием обширной историографии с множеством различных характеристик и описаний. Несоответствие понятий “западноевропейского неолита”, определяемого наличием производящего хозяйства, с одной стороны, и основанного на наличии глиняной посуды “неолита Восточной Европы” – с другой, хорошо прослеживается на материалах Северо-Востока Европы, на которых сосредоточено внимание данной статьи. В начале работы представлена история развития этого термина в Финляндии, Эстонии и на Северо-Западе России. За этим следует обсуждение некоторых ранее во многом упущенных из виду аспектов неолита: открытый взаимодействию и активный характер материальной культуры и развитие социальных и символических сетей. Делается вывод, что “неолит” может рассматриваться только как своего рода “метаконцепция” – эвристический термин, дающий лишь очень приблизительное указание на время и (культурный) контекст, фактические временные рамки и содержание для которого в каждом конкретном случае должны определяться отдельно. Подчеркивается также, что в дополнение к преобладавшему долгое время технико-экономическому и экологическому детерминизму ключевое значение для характеристики всего спектра и всей полноты неолитических трансформаций имеют социокультурные и когнитивные аспекты. Конечная цель статьи состоит в том, чтобы спровоцировать обсуждение и обеспечить более целостный или альтернативный взгляд на неолитическое развитие.
Research Interests: Prehistoric Archaeology, Material Culture Studies, Northern Europe, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic Europe, and 10 moreMesolithic/Neolithic, Material Culture, Neolithic, History of Archaeology, History of Archaeological Research, Baltic States, Finland, Estonia, Mesolithic-Neolithic transition, and archeology of the north-western Russia
Until recently, the absolute chronology of the Neolithic and Eneolithic periods (c 5300–1800 BC) in the Republic of Karelia (North-West Russia) was based on a fairly limited amount of conventional datings made of wood charcoal samples,... more
Until recently, the absolute chronology of the Neolithic and Eneolithic periods (c 5300–1800 BC) in the Republic of Karelia (North-West Russia) was based on a fairly limited amount of conventional datings made of wood charcoal samples, often troubled by various quality- and provenience-related issues. The first AMS-dates of charred residues attached on ceramic shards were made in the late 1990s and since then just a handful of additional datings (15) have been reported. This paper presents a new series of 41 AMS dates obtained on Neolithic and Eneolithic pottery (organic residues, birch bark tar) found at sites located in the Lake Onega environs and the southwestern White Sea region. The studied pottery types include Sperrings 1, Säräisniemi 1, Pit-Comb, Comb-Pit, Rhombpit, Zalavruga, Voynavolok, Orovnavolok, and Palayguba Wares. Alongside presenting the dates and the dated shards, the compatibility of the new age determinations with the existing chronologies, as well as their typological and cultural contextualisation and certain potential problems related to their use are discussed. In general, the new AMS-dates do not contradict the wide chronological frames previously presented for the Karelian Republic, and they fit well within the chronological schemes constructed in the neighbouring areas (especially Finland). In many cases, the present material allows the refinement of local chronology, but also points out problems in temporal constructions and typologies. Overall, the data is still limited, and different areas and periods are unevenly represented. In addition, the likely sources of error must be subjected for detailed studies in the future – this includes the (freshwater) reservoir effect, even if the present data does not give clear evidence of its systematic presence.
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In Finnish periodization Kierikki Ware is classified as a Middle Neolithic asbestos (and organic) tempered pottery type. It was originally introduced through materials found at the Kierikkisaari site, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland, but... more
In Finnish periodization Kierikki Ware is classified as a Middle Neolithic asbestos (and organic) tempered pottery type. It was originally introduced through materials found at the Kierikkisaari site, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland, but since its tentative description in the 1960s no further research on this type has been done. This article presents the chronological context of Kierikki Ware based on a series of recently obtained AMS-dates, as well as discusses its parallels among the contemporary potteries from Finland and Republic of Karelia (Russia). As a conclusion it is argued that the ceramic assemblage accumulated at the Kierikkisaari site cannot be comprehended as a separate, clearly-defined pottery type but rather represents the general characteristics of cultural fragmentation in Northeastern Europe during the middle and second half of the 4th millennium BC.
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This paper presents an outline of the development of productive livelihoods in Finland from the Neolithic until the beginning of Middle Iron Age, ca 5200 BC – 400 AD. Productive livelihoods mean here cultivation and animal husbandry in... more
This paper presents an outline of the development of productive livelihoods in Finland from the Neolithic until the beginning of Middle Iron Age, ca 5200 BC – 400 AD. Productive livelihoods mean here cultivation and animal husbandry in their widest sense. The article shortly lists the available palynological and osteological evidence, the results of macrofossil and incipient starch and lipid analyses, as well as other archaeological finds, which shed light on the matter (the situation as in 2016). This is followed by a short discussion of problems related to the research – such as poor organic preservation and particular cultivation practices in forested environments – and a general overview. To sum up, the oldest signs of cultivation are provided by single pollens dating to the Early Neolithic, the late 6th and 5th millennium BC. The cogency of these early appearances has been questioned, although Cerealia pollens seem to occur sporadically ever since. The first identified macrofossils (as well as starch granules) of cultigens date to the Final Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, i.e. the late 3rd and 2nd millennium BC. The indicators of cultivation increase during the Bronze and Pre-Roman Iron Ages – also the oldest known fields date to the latter period. The oldest identified pollen is buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), but otherwise barley (Hordeum sp.) dominates the stage. Wheat (Triticum sp.) is present during the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, but gets more common with the onset of Pre-Roman and Roman Iron Ages. This is also the time rye (Secale cereale) appears, although its intensive cultivation for human nutrition is a later event. The oldest signs of animal husbandry – dairy lipids – derive from the mid-3rd millennium BC, and the oldest osteological evidence of sheep/goat (Ovis aries/Capra hircus) also dates to the transition from Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age. Cattle (Bos taurus) and a bit later horse (Equus caballus) appear during the Bronze Age, but pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) apparently only during the Pre-Roman Iron Age. Thus it seems, that by the last millennium BC agricultural way of life had been established. However, this applies only to particular regions in the southern and western parts of the country. Outside these ‘heartlands’, the wilderness areas of northern and eastern inland present quite a different picture, and there productive livelihoods remained subsidiary to hunting, fishing and gathering for centuries, in some regions far into the early modern period.
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This article discusses a radiocarbon-based chronology for the Neolithic–Eneolithic period in the present-day Republic of Karelia (Russian Federation). The main goal is to present all currently available radiocarbon datings, including the... more
This article discusses a radiocarbon-based chronology for the Neolithic–Eneolithic period in the present-day Republic of Karelia (Russian Federation). The main goal is to present all currently available radiocarbon datings, including the previously published dates, as well as the ones recently obtained by the authors. In total, there are 194 dates from 77 sites covering the period from the 6th to the 2nd millennium cal BC. Besides providing an up-to-date list of datings, the article also evaluates their reliability and utility in building a local chronology. Despite several shortcomings, the new AMS-supported chronology enables the study of past cultural dynamics in much greater detail than previously and allows its better integration into the wider north-east European chronological framework.
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This paper discusses the basis of Neolithic periodisation used in mainland Finland. It is suggested that the periodisation should be revised: the boundary between the Middle and Late Neolithic periods should be moved to correspond with... more
This paper discusses the basis of Neolithic periodisation used in mainland Finland. It is suggested that the periodisation should be revised: the boundary between the Middle and Late Neolithic periods should be moved to correspond with the appearance of Corded Ware (c. 2800 cal BC), and the term ‘Final Neolithic’ introduced to cover the final centuries of the Neolithic. This kind of division would reflect changes in the cultural development better than that currently in use. In addition, the chronological frames for the pottery types dated between the late 6th and mid-4th millennium cal BC, i.e. the Early Neolithic and the beginning of Middle Neolithic, are presented.
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Research Interests:
Анализируются изменения в использовании разных типов сырья для производства каменных орудий в регионе озера Сайма в Восточной Финляндии во время распространения традиции типичной гребенчато-ямочной керамики в 4 тыс. до н.э. Полученные... more
Анализируются изменения в использовании разных типов сырья для производства каменных орудий в регионе озера Сайма в Восточной Финляндии во время распространения традиции типичной гребенчато-ямочной керамики в 4 тыс. до н.э. Полученные результаты позволяют предположить проникновение в южную часть региона нового населения в результате миграции и постепенное развитие социальных контактов с населением северной части. Рассматриваются возможности моделирования древних систем социальных связей в регионе.
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The Suomussalmi copper adze is a native copper artefact discovered in 1980 on Kukkosaari Island (Suomussalmi, north-eastern Finland). Since then the artefact has been repeatedly used as an example when narrating the introduction of metal... more
The Suomussalmi copper adze is a native copper artefact discovered in 1980 on Kukkosaari Island (Suomussalmi, north-eastern Finland). Since then the artefact has been repeatedly used as an example when narrating the introduction of metal technology in prehistoric Finland, while its chronological position, function and significance have remained poorly studied. Here the object is reviewed both through the results of new metallographic analyses and by re-examining its position in the context of early metal use in north-eastern Europe during the Neolithic and the Bronze Age. The results of metallographic analyses indicate that the adze was shaped by melting/casting followed by cold hammering; both techniques are shown to have been used in the research area – Finland and north-west Russia – as early as during the Neolithic. While the provenance of the metal remains to be assigned, possible domestic, Karelian as well as Uralian sources are assayed critically. Instead of plain analyses regarding techno-typology and function, the Suomussalmi adze is here connected to the general enrichment of the (material) world that took place multi-locally through the adoption of new raw materials and the increased interest in their real or presumed properties.
Research Interests: Narrative, Metallurgy, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Narrative and Identity, and 8 moreNeolithic Europe, Material Culture, History of Archaeological Research, Ancient Metallurgy, Metallography, Eneolithic, Metallography of Ancient Metals, and Neolithic, Eneolithic, Early Bronze Age
Sakari Pälsi (1882–1965) is one of the central figures of early Stone Age archaeology in Finland, both in terms of ideas and practice. This article presents, firstly, an overview of Pälsi’s archaeological activities on the Karelian... more
Sakari Pälsi (1882–1965) is one of the central figures of early Stone Age archaeology in Finland, both in terms of ideas and practice. This article presents, firstly, an overview of Pälsi’s archaeological activities on the Karelian Isthmus, and ponders the relevance of these studies to his later career and views of the past. Secondly, the paper discusses more widely Pälsi’s career as an archaeologist and the development of Finnish archaeology during the first decades of the 20th century.
The studies conducted on the Karelian Isthmus form an essential formative phase in Pälsi’s career, and many of his central scientific publications were written during this period. The Karelian Isthmus was important also for the development of Finnish Stone Age archaeology in general: many of the pioneering studies, in which the key concepts and methods were developed, took place here. Pälsi’s role in these works is unquestionable. Later on, his research focus became thematically, chronologically and geographically more broad, but the Karelian Isthmus still kept its position as the source of many of his key ideas. Besides archaeology, Pälsi was very interested in ethnology – this had a tremendous effect on his interpretations of the past. In his writings, Pälsi created very strong images of prehistory, some of which have survived up to this day. In addition to scientific work, Pälsi’s role in the popularisation of science must be considered as one of the main legacies of his career.
Sakari Pälsi (1882–1965) on suomalaisen kivikaudentutkimuksen keskeisiä varhaisia hahmoja, niin ajatusten kuin käytännönkin osalta. Tässä artikkelissa luodaan katsaus Pälsin Karjalankannaksella tekemiin tutkimuksiin sekä pohditaan näiden tutkimusten merkitystä Pälsin uralle ja näkemyksille esihistoriasta. Lisäksi artikkelissa esitellään laajemmin Pälsin uraa menneisyyden tutkijana sekä suomalaisen arkeologian kehitystä 1900-luvun alkuvuosikymmeninä.
Karjalankannas muodostaa Pälsin uralla tärkeän varhaisvaiheen, johon liittyy myös moni hänen merkittävimmistä tieteellisistä julkaisuistaan. Lisäksi Karjalankannas on keskeinen koko Suomen kivikauden tutkimuksen alkua ajatellen, sillä suuri osa varhaisista perustutkimuksista ja tutkimusmenetelmien kehityksestä tapahtui siellä – Pälsillä oli tässä työssä merkittävä rooli. Vaikka Pälsin tutkimusfokus laajenikin myöhemmin paljon laajemmalle alueelle sekä teemallisesti, ajallisesti että maantieteellisesti, säilytti Kannas asemansa keskeisten ajatusten syntyseutuna. Arkeologian lisäksi Pälsi oli kiinnostunut etenkin kansatieteestä, mikä vaikutti suuresti hänen tulkintoihinsa menneisyydestä. Teksteissään Pälsi loi voimakkaita käsityksiä ja kuvia esihistoriasta, joista osa on säilynyt hengissä viime aikoihin asti. Tieteellisen toiminnan lisäksi Pälsin uran ehdottomia ansioita on hänen roolinsa tieteen popularisoijana.
The studies conducted on the Karelian Isthmus form an essential formative phase in Pälsi’s career, and many of his central scientific publications were written during this period. The Karelian Isthmus was important also for the development of Finnish Stone Age archaeology in general: many of the pioneering studies, in which the key concepts and methods were developed, took place here. Pälsi’s role in these works is unquestionable. Later on, his research focus became thematically, chronologically and geographically more broad, but the Karelian Isthmus still kept its position as the source of many of his key ideas. Besides archaeology, Pälsi was very interested in ethnology – this had a tremendous effect on his interpretations of the past. In his writings, Pälsi created very strong images of prehistory, some of which have survived up to this day. In addition to scientific work, Pälsi’s role in the popularisation of science must be considered as one of the main legacies of his career.
Sakari Pälsi (1882–1965) on suomalaisen kivikaudentutkimuksen keskeisiä varhaisia hahmoja, niin ajatusten kuin käytännönkin osalta. Tässä artikkelissa luodaan katsaus Pälsin Karjalankannaksella tekemiin tutkimuksiin sekä pohditaan näiden tutkimusten merkitystä Pälsin uralle ja näkemyksille esihistoriasta. Lisäksi artikkelissa esitellään laajemmin Pälsin uraa menneisyyden tutkijana sekä suomalaisen arkeologian kehitystä 1900-luvun alkuvuosikymmeninä.
Karjalankannas muodostaa Pälsin uralla tärkeän varhaisvaiheen, johon liittyy myös moni hänen merkittävimmistä tieteellisistä julkaisuistaan. Lisäksi Karjalankannas on keskeinen koko Suomen kivikauden tutkimuksen alkua ajatellen, sillä suuri osa varhaisista perustutkimuksista ja tutkimusmenetelmien kehityksestä tapahtui siellä – Pälsillä oli tässä työssä merkittävä rooli. Vaikka Pälsin tutkimusfokus laajenikin myöhemmin paljon laajemmalle alueelle sekä teemallisesti, ajallisesti että maantieteellisesti, säilytti Kannas asemansa keskeisten ajatusten syntyseutuna. Arkeologian lisäksi Pälsi oli kiinnostunut etenkin kansatieteestä, mikä vaikutti suuresti hänen tulkintoihinsa menneisyydestä. Teksteissään Pälsi loi voimakkaita käsityksiä ja kuvia esihistoriasta, joista osa on säilynyt hengissä viime aikoihin asti. Tieteellisen toiminnan lisäksi Pälsin uran ehdottomia ansioita on hänen roolinsa tieteen popularisoijana.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The adoption of pottery in eastern Fennoscandia in the later sixth millennium BC has traditionally been understood in straightforward technological and practical terms, and as a development that did not mark other significant changes in... more
The adoption of pottery in eastern Fennoscandia in the later sixth millennium BC has traditionally been understood in straightforward technological and practical terms, and as a development that did not mark other significant changes in local culture or ways of life. Recent research in the region, combined with new ideas about Neolithization in Eurasia more generally, nonetheless suggests that the adoption of pottery was associated with more fundamental cultural and environmental transformations than has previously been thought. This article brings together diverse old and new data from northeastern Europe and discusses the character and dynamics of cultural and human-induced environmental change following the adoption of pottery. The aim is to provide a scenario of long-term cultural changes and, in particular, to consider the significance and broader implications of the very practices of clay use and cultivation, as well as their links to wider cultural and environmental phenomena.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Pottery (Archaeology), Material Culture Studies, Landscape Archaeology, Human-Environment Relations, and 17 moreNeolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Materiality (Anthropology), Plant domestication (Prehistoric Archaeology), Archaeological Theory, Ceramics (Archaeology), Archaeology of Ritual and Magic, Neolithic Transition, Neolithic Europe, Material Culture, Prehistory, Neolithic, Scandinavian Archaeology, Prehistoric Figurines, Early Neolithic pottery technology, Anthropomorphic Figurines, and Prehistoric agriculture
Up until recent years, Corded Ware has remained poorly studied in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland, located in north-eastern Europe. Traditionally, this region has been considered marginal in terms of Corded Ware, but new research... more
Up until recent years, Corded Ware has remained poorly studied in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland, located in north-eastern Europe. Traditionally, this region has been considered marginal in terms of Corded Ware, but new research has started to change this view. This paper presents the Corded Ware material known up to the current date (2016) from the eastern area of the Gulf of Finland, i.e. the Karelian Isthmus and Ingria (western Leningrad oblast, Russia); currently ca. 30 sites and ca. 60 stray finds are known in the research area. Based on this and previously published data from the adjoining regions, features related to the material culture, the contact networks, and the chronology of Corded Ware are discussed. Even though focusing the research may skew the picture, there are good grounds to propose, that there was a distinctive Corded Ware sphere of interaction in the eastern area of the Gulf of Finland, also including areas in north-eastern Estonia and south-eastern Finland. Due to its particular cultural background, local preferences, and consequently, development trajectories, the area had a clear regional character. Further, populations inhabiting it also maintained active contacts with other Corded Ware groups in the sphere of Baltic Sea and further to the east, as well as with non-Corded Ware settlers of north-eastern Europe.
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Research Interests:
Research Interests:
В северо-восточной Европе самая древняя керамика датируется второй половиной 6 тыс. до н.э., она представлена керамикой сперрингс и сярясниеми 1. В дальнейшем, в 5 тыс. до н. э., появляется керамика ямочно-гребенчатой культуры и ранняя... more
В северо-восточной Европе самая древняя керамика датируется второй половиной 6 тыс. до н.э., она представлена керамикой сперрингс и сярясниеми 1. В дальнейшем, в 5 тыс. до н. э., появляется керамика ямочно-гребенчатой культуры и ранняя асбестовая керамика.cВ данном исследовании представлено 20 новых АМС-датировок для этих керамических типов, полученныхcпо нагару с керамики из Финляндии и северо-западной России. Также обсуждается время появления и распространения керамики в этой области.
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Eesti ja Venemaa piirialal Narva – lauga jõgede vahelises piirkonnas aastatel 2008–2014 teostatud nöörkeraamika muististe uurimise esialgseid tulemusi Narva – Lauga jõgedevahe asetseb Eesti ja Venemaa piirialal Läänemere kagurannikul (jn... more
Eesti ja Venemaa piirialal Narva – lauga jõgede vahelises piirkonnas aastatel 2008–2014 teostatud nöörkeraamika muististe uurimise esialgseid tulemusi
Narva – Lauga jõgedevahe asetseb Eesti ja Venemaa piirialal Läänemere kagurannikul (jn 1). See hõlmab kahte maastikuregiooni – omaaegses klindilahes paiknevat rannikumadalikku ja lavamaad. Tegemist on nii iso- kui ka eustaatilistest protsessidest tugevasti mõjutatud rannikupiirkonnaga, kus on jälgitavad kiviajal Läänemere nõos paiknenud veekogu nii transgressiivsed kui ka regressiivsed staadiumid.
Nöörkeraamika komplekside uurimine algas piirkonnas 1950. aastatel Nina Gurina ja Lembit Jaanitsa väljakaevamistega Riigiküla (I ja II) ja Narva Joaoru asulakohtadel. Uus etapp algas 1990. aastatel, mil leiti ja uuriti kahte Riigikülas paiknevat nöörkeraamika asulakohta (Riigiküla IV ja XIV). Kümme aastat tagasi (2005) alustati intensiivsemaid uuringuid ka Venemaa poolel ja sellest ajast alates on toimunud Narva – Lauga piirkonnas igal välitööde hooajal ühised rahvusvahelised ja interdistsiplinaarsed uurimistööd. Aastatel 2008–2014 aset leidnud välitööde käigus on avastatud u 1000 km² suuruselt alalt üle 40 uue kinnismuistise dateeringuga 5100–2000 eKr, sh 19 nöörkeraamika kompleksi asulakohta ja üks matmispaik. Alates 2008. aastast on üheks fookuseks olnud nöörkeraamika kompleksi asula- ja matmiskohad.
Uurimispiirkonna nöörkeraamika kompleksi asulakohtade paiknemises on näha mitu erinevat süsteemi. Need võivad asetseda (1) suure Narva jõe (Riigiküla I and II, Narva Joaorg) ja (2) väikejõgede (Lommi I ning arvata vasti Narva-Jõesuu I, IIa, IIb, III ja IV) kallastel, (3) väikeste järvikute kallastel (Rosson 1–10) või (4) kohtades (Väike-Ropsu 1) mille läheduses ei ole vähemalt tänapäevani säilinud veekogu.
Asulakohad on erineva suurusega. Rossoni asulakohad, mis on avatud ulatuslikule metsapõlengule järgnenud künniga ja nii hästi dokumenteeritavad, on suuruses 80 m² kuni 4600 m² (jn 2). Narva-Jõesuu IIb ja Riigiküla XIV asulakohas lasub kultuurkiht aga isegi üle poole hektari suurusel alal. Kultuurkihi paksus on üldjuhul maksi maalselt 20–30 cm, erandina Narva-Jõesuu IIb süvendpõhjaliste hoonete alal isegi üle 1,5 m. Need kaks osaliselt uuritud hoonejäänust olid nelinurkse kujuga ja ehitatud rõhtpalkidest (jn 3). Ehitiste mõõtmed ei ole selged, kuid seinad on olnud algselt vähemalt 3–4 m pikkused. Ühest elamujäänusest kaevati välja ka kivideta tulease.
Asulakohtade leiumaterjal on suhteliselt ühekülgne, peamiselt savinõukillud ning vähesed kvartsi ja tulekivi killud ja neist valmistatud esemed, mõned lihvimiskivid ja erandina silmaga kivikirve katke Rosson 9 asulakohalt (tabel 1). Savinõukillud pärinevad lamedapõhjalistest pottidest, mõnel juhul ka peekritest (jn 4). Nõud on enamasti valmistatud orgaanilise (purustatud taimed), harvem mineraalse (kivipurd, liiv, šamott) või kombineeritud lisandiga segatud savist linttehnikas (N-tüüpi ühenduspinnad). Pinnad on silutud või riibitud. Ornamendielementidest esineb lohke, täkkeid, nöörivajutisi ja sooni, mis paiknevad üldjuhul vaid nõu ülaosas – kaelal või serval. Esineb ka tekstiilijäljendiga kaetud kilde.
Praeguseks on tehtud kuus radiosüsiniku dateeringut viiest asulakohast (tabel 2), kusjuures osa neist on arvatavasti reservuaarefekti tõttu andnud tegelikkusest vanema tulemuse. Usaldusväärsed vanusemäärangud jäävad keskmistatult vahemikku 2800–2000 eKr, mis osutab nöörkeraamika kompleksi nii suhteliselt varasele algusele kui hilisele lõpule Narva – Lauga piirkonnas.
Narva-Jõesuu IIb asulakohast on välja kaevatud kaks nöörkeraamika kompleksi hauda. Need asetsevad vaid mõne meetri kaugusel teineteisest ja mõlemad on orienteeritud kirde–kagu-suunaliselt. Hauad on u 2 m pikkused ja 0,5–1 m laiused ning haudade põhi tänapäevasest maapinnast 1,2–1,4 m sügavusel. Inimsäilmed on peaaegu täielikult kõdunenud, kuid leiukogumid ei jäta kahtlust, et tegemist on haudadega. Otsustades kahe leiukogumi põhjal, oli ühte hauda maetud kaks inimest. Ühele neist oli kaasa pandud venekirves, lihvimiskivi, nöörkeraamiline peeker ja arvatavasti merevaigust ripats; teisele venekirves, nöörkeraamiline peeker ja väike savinõu (jn 5A). Teise hauda oli tõenäoliselt maetud üks inimene, kaasas nöörkeraamiline peeker, neljatahkne tulekivist talb ja lihvimiskivi (jn 5B).
Avastatud ja uuritud asulakohad ja matmispaik lisavad olulist teavet nöörkeraamika kompleksi kohta. Kui enamik seni Ida-Baltikumist tuntud nöörkeraamika asulakohti on segatud varasema või hilisema leiumaterjaliga, siis Narva – Lauga piirkonnas on osa muististest segamata või vaid väheste teiste esiajaloo perioodide leidudega. Muuhulgas osutab see, et elupaikadesse jäänud esemelise materjali ühekülgsus ja ennekõike kivist tööriistade vähesus ei johtu uuringute ulatusest või meetoditest, vaid kajastab tegelikkust (tabel 1). See võib tuleneda nii orgaanilisest materjalist tööriistade enamkasutusest kui ka multifunktsionaalsest tulekivist noatüübist, mis asendas teistele kiviaja kompleksidele omaseid erinevaid väikesi kaape- ja lõikeriistu.
Savinõude sarnasus osutab Narva – Lauga piirkonna ühtsele keraamikatraditsioonile ning seob selle laiemalt Eesti, Läti, Ingerimaa, Karjala maakitsuse ja Kagu-Soome alal levinud omanäolise keraamika lokaalrühmaga.
Kahe süvendpõhjalise rõhtpalkelamu jäänused Narva-Jõesuu IIb asulakohal on unikaalsed Läänemere piirkonna nöörkeraamika kompleksides. Kuigi osaliselt maapinda süvendatud põrandaosaga hoonepõhju teatakse meile lähimatelt aladelt Rootsist, Poolast, Leedust ja Kaliningradi piirkonnast, on need olnud püstpostkonstruktsioonis. Ainsad autoritele teadaolevad paralleelid süvendpõhjalistele rõhtpalkelamutele on nöörkeraamika Balanovo rühma alalt Vjatka ja Okaa jõgede vesikonnast Venemaalt.
Erijoontega on samuti Narva-Jõesuu IIb matmispaik. Kaksikhauast leitud venekirved ei ole ei Eesti ega vahetutele naaberaladele tüüpilised, neid on seni leitud Läänemere piirkonnast vaid üksikeksemplaridena. Vormilt on need analoogsed Venemaa Volga–Okaa jõgedevahe nöörkeraamika Fatjanovo rühma kirvestele. Samast kultuurirühmast on teada ka parimad paralleelid kaksikhauast leitud väikesele savinõule.
Milline on idapoolsete nöörkeraamika komplekside mõju ja mis on selle põhjused Narva – Lauga piirkonnas, vajab edasisi ja senisest mahukamaid uuringuid.
Narva – Lauga jõgedevahe asetseb Eesti ja Venemaa piirialal Läänemere kagurannikul (jn 1). See hõlmab kahte maastikuregiooni – omaaegses klindilahes paiknevat rannikumadalikku ja lavamaad. Tegemist on nii iso- kui ka eustaatilistest protsessidest tugevasti mõjutatud rannikupiirkonnaga, kus on jälgitavad kiviajal Läänemere nõos paiknenud veekogu nii transgressiivsed kui ka regressiivsed staadiumid.
Nöörkeraamika komplekside uurimine algas piirkonnas 1950. aastatel Nina Gurina ja Lembit Jaanitsa väljakaevamistega Riigiküla (I ja II) ja Narva Joaoru asulakohtadel. Uus etapp algas 1990. aastatel, mil leiti ja uuriti kahte Riigikülas paiknevat nöörkeraamika asulakohta (Riigiküla IV ja XIV). Kümme aastat tagasi (2005) alustati intensiivsemaid uuringuid ka Venemaa poolel ja sellest ajast alates on toimunud Narva – Lauga piirkonnas igal välitööde hooajal ühised rahvusvahelised ja interdistsiplinaarsed uurimistööd. Aastatel 2008–2014 aset leidnud välitööde käigus on avastatud u 1000 km² suuruselt alalt üle 40 uue kinnismuistise dateeringuga 5100–2000 eKr, sh 19 nöörkeraamika kompleksi asulakohta ja üks matmispaik. Alates 2008. aastast on üheks fookuseks olnud nöörkeraamika kompleksi asula- ja matmiskohad.
Uurimispiirkonna nöörkeraamika kompleksi asulakohtade paiknemises on näha mitu erinevat süsteemi. Need võivad asetseda (1) suure Narva jõe (Riigiküla I and II, Narva Joaorg) ja (2) väikejõgede (Lommi I ning arvata vasti Narva-Jõesuu I, IIa, IIb, III ja IV) kallastel, (3) väikeste järvikute kallastel (Rosson 1–10) või (4) kohtades (Väike-Ropsu 1) mille läheduses ei ole vähemalt tänapäevani säilinud veekogu.
Asulakohad on erineva suurusega. Rossoni asulakohad, mis on avatud ulatuslikule metsapõlengule järgnenud künniga ja nii hästi dokumenteeritavad, on suuruses 80 m² kuni 4600 m² (jn 2). Narva-Jõesuu IIb ja Riigiküla XIV asulakohas lasub kultuurkiht aga isegi üle poole hektari suurusel alal. Kultuurkihi paksus on üldjuhul maksi maalselt 20–30 cm, erandina Narva-Jõesuu IIb süvendpõhjaliste hoonete alal isegi üle 1,5 m. Need kaks osaliselt uuritud hoonejäänust olid nelinurkse kujuga ja ehitatud rõhtpalkidest (jn 3). Ehitiste mõõtmed ei ole selged, kuid seinad on olnud algselt vähemalt 3–4 m pikkused. Ühest elamujäänusest kaevati välja ka kivideta tulease.
Asulakohtade leiumaterjal on suhteliselt ühekülgne, peamiselt savinõukillud ning vähesed kvartsi ja tulekivi killud ja neist valmistatud esemed, mõned lihvimiskivid ja erandina silmaga kivikirve katke Rosson 9 asulakohalt (tabel 1). Savinõukillud pärinevad lamedapõhjalistest pottidest, mõnel juhul ka peekritest (jn 4). Nõud on enamasti valmistatud orgaanilise (purustatud taimed), harvem mineraalse (kivipurd, liiv, šamott) või kombineeritud lisandiga segatud savist linttehnikas (N-tüüpi ühenduspinnad). Pinnad on silutud või riibitud. Ornamendielementidest esineb lohke, täkkeid, nöörivajutisi ja sooni, mis paiknevad üldjuhul vaid nõu ülaosas – kaelal või serval. Esineb ka tekstiilijäljendiga kaetud kilde.
Praeguseks on tehtud kuus radiosüsiniku dateeringut viiest asulakohast (tabel 2), kusjuures osa neist on arvatavasti reservuaarefekti tõttu andnud tegelikkusest vanema tulemuse. Usaldusväärsed vanusemäärangud jäävad keskmistatult vahemikku 2800–2000 eKr, mis osutab nöörkeraamika kompleksi nii suhteliselt varasele algusele kui hilisele lõpule Narva – Lauga piirkonnas.
Narva-Jõesuu IIb asulakohast on välja kaevatud kaks nöörkeraamika kompleksi hauda. Need asetsevad vaid mõne meetri kaugusel teineteisest ja mõlemad on orienteeritud kirde–kagu-suunaliselt. Hauad on u 2 m pikkused ja 0,5–1 m laiused ning haudade põhi tänapäevasest maapinnast 1,2–1,4 m sügavusel. Inimsäilmed on peaaegu täielikult kõdunenud, kuid leiukogumid ei jäta kahtlust, et tegemist on haudadega. Otsustades kahe leiukogumi põhjal, oli ühte hauda maetud kaks inimest. Ühele neist oli kaasa pandud venekirves, lihvimiskivi, nöörkeraamiline peeker ja arvatavasti merevaigust ripats; teisele venekirves, nöörkeraamiline peeker ja väike savinõu (jn 5A). Teise hauda oli tõenäoliselt maetud üks inimene, kaasas nöörkeraamiline peeker, neljatahkne tulekivist talb ja lihvimiskivi (jn 5B).
Avastatud ja uuritud asulakohad ja matmispaik lisavad olulist teavet nöörkeraamika kompleksi kohta. Kui enamik seni Ida-Baltikumist tuntud nöörkeraamika asulakohti on segatud varasema või hilisema leiumaterjaliga, siis Narva – Lauga piirkonnas on osa muististest segamata või vaid väheste teiste esiajaloo perioodide leidudega. Muuhulgas osutab see, et elupaikadesse jäänud esemelise materjali ühekülgsus ja ennekõike kivist tööriistade vähesus ei johtu uuringute ulatusest või meetoditest, vaid kajastab tegelikkust (tabel 1). See võib tuleneda nii orgaanilisest materjalist tööriistade enamkasutusest kui ka multifunktsionaalsest tulekivist noatüübist, mis asendas teistele kiviaja kompleksidele omaseid erinevaid väikesi kaape- ja lõikeriistu.
Savinõude sarnasus osutab Narva – Lauga piirkonna ühtsele keraamikatraditsioonile ning seob selle laiemalt Eesti, Läti, Ingerimaa, Karjala maakitsuse ja Kagu-Soome alal levinud omanäolise keraamika lokaalrühmaga.
Kahe süvendpõhjalise rõhtpalkelamu jäänused Narva-Jõesuu IIb asulakohal on unikaalsed Läänemere piirkonna nöörkeraamika kompleksides. Kuigi osaliselt maapinda süvendatud põrandaosaga hoonepõhju teatakse meile lähimatelt aladelt Rootsist, Poolast, Leedust ja Kaliningradi piirkonnast, on need olnud püstpostkonstruktsioonis. Ainsad autoritele teadaolevad paralleelid süvendpõhjalistele rõhtpalkelamutele on nöörkeraamika Balanovo rühma alalt Vjatka ja Okaa jõgede vesikonnast Venemaalt.
Erijoontega on samuti Narva-Jõesuu IIb matmispaik. Kaksikhauast leitud venekirved ei ole ei Eesti ega vahetutele naaberaladele tüüpilised, neid on seni leitud Läänemere piirkonnast vaid üksikeksemplaridena. Vormilt on need analoogsed Venemaa Volga–Okaa jõgedevahe nöörkeraamika Fatjanovo rühma kirvestele. Samast kultuurirühmast on teada ka parimad paralleelid kaksikhauast leitud väikesele savinõule.
Milline on idapoolsete nöörkeraamika komplekside mõju ja mis on selle põhjused Narva – Lauga piirkonnas, vajab edasisi ja senisest mahukamaid uuringuid.
Research Interests: Prehistoric Archaeology, Settlement Patterns, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Russian History, and 10 morePrehistoric Settlement, Death and Burial (Archaeology), History of Estonia, Burial Practices (Archaeology), Corded Ware Culture, Neolithic Europe, Neolithic, Estonia, Corded Ware Settlement Pattern, and Burial rites of the Corded Ware and the Bell Beaker Cultures in Central Europe
The Narva–Luga micro-region, situated on the border of Estonia and Russia in north-eastern Europe, has been the target of international and interdisciplinary research conducted annually between 2005 and 2014. During this time, altogether... more
The Narva–Luga micro-region, situated on the border of Estonia and Russia in north-eastern Europe, has been the target of international and interdisciplinary research conducted annually between 2005 and 2014. During this time, altogether 42 new archaeological sites have been discovered, and many sites have also been excavated – in addition, a large amount of natural scientific data has been collected. All in all, over 60 Stone Age and Bronze Age sites are currently known in this micro-region. The sites date mostly between the late 6th and late 3rd millennia calBC, that is, to the cultural contexts of Narva Ware, Comb Ware, and Corded Ware. In this paper, some of the main results of the archaeological studies made during the last decade are briefly summarised.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Pottery (Archaeology), Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, and 16 moreHistory of Russian North, Russian History, Prehistoric Settlement, History of Estonia, Corded Ware Culture, Neolithic Europe, Prehistory, Early Neolithic, Middle Neolithic, Late Neolithic, Early Neolithic, Estonia, Late Neolithic, Radiocarbon Dating (Archaeology), History of Russia, Middle Neolithic, Corded Ware Settlement Pattern, and Burial rites of the Corded Ware and the Bell Beaker Cultures in Central Europe
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)
In Finland, the Neolithic period begins with the appearance of ceramics ca. 5200 calBC and ends at the beginning of the Bronze Age ca. 1800 calBC. The co-occurrence of widespread and abundant flint import and Typical Comb Ware pottery... more
In Finland, the Neolithic period begins with the appearance of ceramics ca. 5200 calBC and ends at the beginning of the Bronze Age ca. 1800 calBC. The co-occurrence of widespread and abundant flint import and Typical Comb Ware pottery (3900–3400 calBC) has been recognised since the very early days of Finnish archaeology, but so far, only one study has quantified the volume of Neolithic flint import to Finland. In general, the exploitation of domestic lithic raw materials has not been quantified at all. The present study provides an overview of the main trends in the use of mineral raw materials that were exploited in knapped tool production during the Neolithic in the Lake Saimaa area, Finnish inland. Firstly, the results show temporal and spatial variation in the selection of raw materials. As expected, the linkage between the heyday of flint import and Typical Comb Ware pottery is clearly visible. Moreover, during the span from the beginning of the Neolithic to the end of the Typical Comb Ware period, the utilisation of high-quality quartzes was very high. On the contrary, the latter part of the Neolithic was completely dominated by the exploitation of vein quartzes. The results also indicate spatio-temporal changes in the used reduction techniques, as well as in the reduction sequences present at the studied sites.
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Abstract The paper discusses the Neolithisation in northeastern Europe (parts of present-day Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Russia) in the 6th–4th millennium calBC; the themes introduced here include pottery and other material culture,... more
Abstract
The paper discusses the Neolithisation in northeastern Europe (parts of present-day Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Russia) in the 6th–4th millennium calBC; the themes introduced here include pottery and other material culture, symbolism, subsistence and settlement. As a result of recent studies and new approaches the Neolithic in the north (also previously dubbed as pottery-Mesolithic or sub-Neolithic) does not stand any longer in stark opposition to the ‘proper’ Neolithic of more southern Europe. Still, with its strong local characteristics the northern Neolithic underlines the importance of acknowledging the multiple Neolithics and multilocality of Neolithisations. It is also proposed that Neolithisation was not only about new subsistence or technology, but also about a fundamental change in the cognitive sphere and in the relationships between the people and the surrounding world.
Zusammenfassung
Der vorliegende Beitrag diskutiert die Neolithisierung Nordosteuropas (Bereiche des heutigen Estlands, Finnlands, Lettlands und Russlands) im 6–4. Jahrtausend calBC. Thematisch werden Keramik und andere Fundmaterialien, Symbolismus, Subsistenz und Siedlungswesen behandelt. Durch neue Studien und Ansätze steht das Neolithikum im Norden (bisher auch als keramisches Mesolithikum oder Sub-Neolithikum bezeichnet) nicht mehr in deutlichem Kontrast zum „eigentlichen“ Neolithikum in Mitteleuropa. Dennoch heben die starken lokalen Eigenheiten hervor, dass es wichtig ist, sich der Existenz mehrerer Arten von Neolithikum und multi-lokaler Neolithisierung bewusst zu sein. Es wird außerdem postuliert, dass die Neolithisierung nicht nur eine neue Wirtschaftweise und Technologie mit sich brachte, sondern auch einen umfassenden Wandel in der kognitiven Sphäre und in der Beziehung zwischen Menschen und der sie umgebenden Welt.
The paper discusses the Neolithisation in northeastern Europe (parts of present-day Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Russia) in the 6th–4th millennium calBC; the themes introduced here include pottery and other material culture, symbolism, subsistence and settlement. As a result of recent studies and new approaches the Neolithic in the north (also previously dubbed as pottery-Mesolithic or sub-Neolithic) does not stand any longer in stark opposition to the ‘proper’ Neolithic of more southern Europe. Still, with its strong local characteristics the northern Neolithic underlines the importance of acknowledging the multiple Neolithics and multilocality of Neolithisations. It is also proposed that Neolithisation was not only about new subsistence or technology, but also about a fundamental change in the cognitive sphere and in the relationships between the people and the surrounding world.
Zusammenfassung
Der vorliegende Beitrag diskutiert die Neolithisierung Nordosteuropas (Bereiche des heutigen Estlands, Finnlands, Lettlands und Russlands) im 6–4. Jahrtausend calBC. Thematisch werden Keramik und andere Fundmaterialien, Symbolismus, Subsistenz und Siedlungswesen behandelt. Durch neue Studien und Ansätze steht das Neolithikum im Norden (bisher auch als keramisches Mesolithikum oder Sub-Neolithikum bezeichnet) nicht mehr in deutlichem Kontrast zum „eigentlichen“ Neolithikum in Mitteleuropa. Dennoch heben die starken lokalen Eigenheiten hervor, dass es wichtig ist, sich der Existenz mehrerer Arten von Neolithikum und multi-lokaler Neolithisierung bewusst zu sein. Es wird außerdem postuliert, dass die Neolithisierung nicht nur eine neue Wirtschaftweise und Technologie mit sich brachte, sondern auch einen umfassenden Wandel in der kognitiven Sphäre und in der Beziehung zwischen Menschen und der sie umgebenden Welt.
Research Interests: Prehistoric Archaeology, Pottery (Archaeology), Rock Art (Archaeology), Mesolithic Archaeology, Settlement Patterns, and 19 moreNeolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, History of Russian North, Russian History, Prehistoric Settlement, Ceramics (Archaeology), Neolithic Transition, Neolithic Europe, Mesolithic Europe, Subsistence systems (Archaeology), Mesolithic/Neolithic, Russian Prehistory, Material Culture, Neolithic, History of Archaeology, Finland, Finnish History, Finnish prehistory, and Russian Archeology
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This article develops the idea that the emergence of the Neolithic world was closely linked to discovering and becoming aware of new aspects and dimensions of reality. Practices such as pottery making and cultivation promoted... more
This article develops the idea that the emergence of the Neolithic world was closely linked to discovering and becoming aware of new aspects and dimensions of reality. Practices such as pottery making and cultivation promoted attentiveness to new aspects of things and the environment, which in turn generated a new kind of lived world that was, in a sense, richer, larger and deeper than before. It is proposed that new forms of material culture and new material practices – new ways of engaging with the material world – expanded people’s horizons of perception and thinking. This cultivation of perception was an important mechanism through which new ways of life and thought associated with the Neolithic came into being.
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Research Interests: Prehistoric Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Metal Finds (Archaeology), and 10 moreNeolithic Transition, Neolithic Europe, Early Bronze Age (Archaeology), Neolithic, Finland, Eneolithic, Neolithic, Eneolithic, Early Bronze Age, History of Finland, Finnish prehistory, and Archaeolmetallurgy
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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.
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:
Research Interests:
Tutkimus käsittelee Karjalankannaksella sijaitsevien Kaukolan ja Räisälän kunnista 1800-1900 –luvuilla kerättyä kivikautista pintalöytömateriaalia. Työssä on kaksi keskeistä teemaa, joista ensimmäinen keskittyy kysymyksiin mitä tämä... more
Tutkimus käsittelee Karjalankannaksella sijaitsevien Kaukolan ja Räisälän kunnista 1800-1900 –luvuilla kerättyä kivikautista pintalöytömateriaalia. Työssä on kaksi keskeistä teemaa, joista ensimmäinen keskittyy kysymyksiin mitä tämä materiaali sisältää, mistä esineet on löydetty ja mitä ne kertovat kivikautisesta toiminnasta. Toinen teema kohdistuu materiaalin tutkimus- ja kertymähistoriaan ja siihen vaikuttaneisiin seikkoihin sekä kysymyksiin aineiston luonteesta, luotettavuudesta ja käyttökelpoisuudesta.
Työ jakaantuu kahdeksaan lukuun. Johdannon jälkeen käsitellään pintalöytöjä yleisesti, sekä keskitytään löytömateriaalin ominaisuuksista johtuen etenkin peltolöytöjen luonteeseen ja ongelmiin. Kolmannessa luvussa esitellään tutkimusalue ja sen tutkimushistoria sekä nykykäsitys alueen kivikaudesta. Neljännessä luvussa esitellään primäärimateriaalin analysoinnin tulokset sekä käsitellään löytöjen paikannustuloksia, kertymähistoriaa ja pintalöytöjen roolia vanhassa tutkimuskirjallisuudessa. Viidennessä luvussa tutkitaan löytöjen levintää sekä pistemäiseen että pehmennettyyn, alueelliseen esitykseen pohjautuen. Yleisen levinnän lisäksi tarkastellaan levintää eri ekologisilla alueilla sekä ajallista levintää. Kuudes luku, kivikautisen asutuskuvan esittely, yhdistää edellisten lukujen tulokset sekä muun aluetta koskevan arkeologisen aineiston. Seitsemännessä luvussa arvioidaan tutkimuksen tuloksia sekä kysymyksiä materiaalin edustavuudesta ja hyödyntämismahdollisuuksista. Kahdeksas luku on tiivistelmä.
Pintalöytöjen kertymähistorian kannalta keskeisimmät tekijät ovat maanviljely ja aktiiviset paikalliset keräilijät. Materiaaliin liittyy tämän takia useita ongelmia ja se on lajittunutta monessa mielessä. Aineisto sisältää enimmäkseen suurehkoja hiottuja kiviesineitä ja vain niukasti keramiikkaa ja iskettyä kiviaineistoa. Aineisto on vääristynyt myös alueellisesti ja seudut, joilla maanviljelys, kivikautiset rantakorkeudet ja aktiiviset keräilijät ovat osuneet yhteen, ovat yliedustettuina. Lisäksi materiaali on vääristynyt ajallisessa mielessä. Niinpä materiaalin yleinen edustavuus on melko huono. Löytöpaikkojen luonne, funktio ja ajalliset kysymykset jäävät usein epäselviksi ja myös muiden tietojen vähyys (esim. tarkka sijainti) hankaloittavat aineiston käyttöä. Silti on syytä olettaa että suuret intensiivisen aktiviteetin kohteet ovat yliedustettuina ja että pienialaisemman toiminnan kohteet näkyvät huonommin materiaalissa.
Vajavaisenakin löytömateriaali osoittaa alueita, joilla on ollut esihistoriallista toimintaa – löytöjen puuttuminen joiltain seuduilta ei kuitenkaan todista etteikö alueilla olisi voinut olla kivikautista aktiviteettia. Suuren pintalöytömateriaalin antama kuva ihmistoiminnasta onkin laajempi kuin vanhan näkemyksen mukainen kuva, joka tietyistä tutkimushistoriallisista syistä rajoittui muutamiin pistemäisiin keskuksiin (etenkin Kaukolan Riukjärven ja Piiskunsalmen alueen sekä Räisälän Pitkäjärven asuinpaikat). Pintalöytöjen valossa ihmistoiminta tutkimusalueella on ollut laajaa myöhäismesoliittisesta kivikaudesta eteenpäin aina kivikauden loppuun asti, ollen muun arkeologisen materiaalin antaman kuvan tapaan aktiivisimmillaan keskineoliittisella ajalla, tyypillisen kampakeramiikan aikana. Toimintaa on ollut myös saaristossa ja muilla alueilla, joilta ennen viime vuosien tutkimuksia ei ole tunnettu asuinpaikkoja. Kuitenkin myös pintamateriaalin valossa harjujen ja mantereen läheisen sisäsaariston alueet sekä useiden ekologisten alueiden yhtymäkohdissa sijaitsevat seudut ovat olleet intensiivisimmin hyödynnettyjä alueita. Pintalöydöt osoittavat toimintaa olleen myös paikoilla, joilta ei tunneta asuinpaikkoja tai joilta toiminnan jäljet myöhemmin ovat tuhoutuneet. Pintalöytöaineiston merkitys onkin tärkeä muodostettaessa alueellista kokonaiskuvaa asutuksesta, mutta siihen liittyvien ongelmien vuoksi aineistoa on käytettävä harkiten ja yhdessä muun arkeologisen materiaalin kanssa.
Työ jakaantuu kahdeksaan lukuun. Johdannon jälkeen käsitellään pintalöytöjä yleisesti, sekä keskitytään löytömateriaalin ominaisuuksista johtuen etenkin peltolöytöjen luonteeseen ja ongelmiin. Kolmannessa luvussa esitellään tutkimusalue ja sen tutkimushistoria sekä nykykäsitys alueen kivikaudesta. Neljännessä luvussa esitellään primäärimateriaalin analysoinnin tulokset sekä käsitellään löytöjen paikannustuloksia, kertymähistoriaa ja pintalöytöjen roolia vanhassa tutkimuskirjallisuudessa. Viidennessä luvussa tutkitaan löytöjen levintää sekä pistemäiseen että pehmennettyyn, alueelliseen esitykseen pohjautuen. Yleisen levinnän lisäksi tarkastellaan levintää eri ekologisilla alueilla sekä ajallista levintää. Kuudes luku, kivikautisen asutuskuvan esittely, yhdistää edellisten lukujen tulokset sekä muun aluetta koskevan arkeologisen aineiston. Seitsemännessä luvussa arvioidaan tutkimuksen tuloksia sekä kysymyksiä materiaalin edustavuudesta ja hyödyntämismahdollisuuksista. Kahdeksas luku on tiivistelmä.
Pintalöytöjen kertymähistorian kannalta keskeisimmät tekijät ovat maanviljely ja aktiiviset paikalliset keräilijät. Materiaaliin liittyy tämän takia useita ongelmia ja se on lajittunutta monessa mielessä. Aineisto sisältää enimmäkseen suurehkoja hiottuja kiviesineitä ja vain niukasti keramiikkaa ja iskettyä kiviaineistoa. Aineisto on vääristynyt myös alueellisesti ja seudut, joilla maanviljelys, kivikautiset rantakorkeudet ja aktiiviset keräilijät ovat osuneet yhteen, ovat yliedustettuina. Lisäksi materiaali on vääristynyt ajallisessa mielessä. Niinpä materiaalin yleinen edustavuus on melko huono. Löytöpaikkojen luonne, funktio ja ajalliset kysymykset jäävät usein epäselviksi ja myös muiden tietojen vähyys (esim. tarkka sijainti) hankaloittavat aineiston käyttöä. Silti on syytä olettaa että suuret intensiivisen aktiviteetin kohteet ovat yliedustettuina ja että pienialaisemman toiminnan kohteet näkyvät huonommin materiaalissa.
Vajavaisenakin löytömateriaali osoittaa alueita, joilla on ollut esihistoriallista toimintaa – löytöjen puuttuminen joiltain seuduilta ei kuitenkaan todista etteikö alueilla olisi voinut olla kivikautista aktiviteettia. Suuren pintalöytömateriaalin antama kuva ihmistoiminnasta onkin laajempi kuin vanhan näkemyksen mukainen kuva, joka tietyistä tutkimushistoriallisista syistä rajoittui muutamiin pistemäisiin keskuksiin (etenkin Kaukolan Riukjärven ja Piiskunsalmen alueen sekä Räisälän Pitkäjärven asuinpaikat). Pintalöytöjen valossa ihmistoiminta tutkimusalueella on ollut laajaa myöhäismesoliittisesta kivikaudesta eteenpäin aina kivikauden loppuun asti, ollen muun arkeologisen materiaalin antaman kuvan tapaan aktiivisimmillaan keskineoliittisella ajalla, tyypillisen kampakeramiikan aikana. Toimintaa on ollut myös saaristossa ja muilla alueilla, joilta ennen viime vuosien tutkimuksia ei ole tunnettu asuinpaikkoja. Kuitenkin myös pintamateriaalin valossa harjujen ja mantereen läheisen sisäsaariston alueet sekä useiden ekologisten alueiden yhtymäkohdissa sijaitsevat seudut ovat olleet intensiivisimmin hyödynnettyjä alueita. Pintalöydöt osoittavat toimintaa olleen myös paikoilla, joilta ei tunneta asuinpaikkoja tai joilta toiminnan jäljet myöhemmin ovat tuhoutuneet. Pintalöytöaineiston merkitys onkin tärkeä muodostettaessa alueellista kokonaiskuvaa asutuksesta, mutta siihen liittyvien ongelmien vuoksi aineistoa on käytettävä harkiten ja yhdessä muun arkeologisen materiaalin kanssa.
Research Interests:
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...
Research Interests:
Based on geological and archaeological proxies from NW Russia and NE Estonia and on GIS-based modelling, shore displacement during the Stone Age in the Narva-Luga Klint Bay area in the eastern Gulf of Finland was reconstructed. The... more
Based on geological and archaeological proxies from NW Russia and NE Estonia and on GIS-based modelling, shore displacement during the Stone Age in the Narva-Luga Klint Bay area in the eastern Gulf of Finland was reconstructed. The reconstructed shore displacement curve displays three regressive phases in the Baltic Sea history, interrupted by the rapid Ancylus Lake and Litorina Sea transgressions c. 10.9–10.2 cal. ka BP and c. 8.5–7.3 cal. ka BP, respectively. During the Ancylus transgression the lake level rose 9 m at an average rate of about 13 mm per year, while during the Litorina transgression the sea level rose 8 m at an average rate of about 7 mm per year. The results show that the highest shoreline of Ancylus Lake at an altitude of 8–17 m a.s.l. was formed c. 10.2 cal. ka BP and that of the Litorina Sea at an altitude of 6–14 m a.s.l., c. 7.3 cal. ka BP. The oldest traces of human activity dated to 8.5–7.9 cal. ka BP are associated with the palaeo-Narva River in the period of low water level in the Baltic basin at the beginning of the Litorina Sea transgression. The coastal settlement associated with the Litorina Sea lagoon, presently represented by 33 Stone Age sites, developed in the area c. 7.1 cal. ka BP and existed there for more than 2000 years. Transformation from the coastal settlement back to the river settlement indicates a change from a fishing-and-hunting economy to farming and animal husbandry c. 4.4 cal. ka BP, coinciding with the time of the overgrowing of the lagoon in the Narva-Luga Klint Bay area.
Research Interests:
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
Research Interests:
Copper finds from Neolithic contexts in eastern Fennoscandia represent the earliest phase of metal use in northern Europe. Currently some 30 sites, which have produced approximately 180 copper finds, are known. The finds consist mainly... more
Copper finds from Neolithic contexts in eastern Fennoscandia represent the earliest phase
of metal use in northern Europe. Currently some 30 sites, which have produced approximately
180 copper finds, are known. The finds consist mainly of nuggets and indeterminate lumps
of copper, but a number of personal adornments and small tools are also present. The centre
of copper use is located on the northern and western coasts of Lake Onega, where native
copper deposits are available.
The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the early copper finds and
metal use in north-eastern Europe between 4000 and 2000 BC. It is argued that Neolithic
metal use in the research area can be divided in two phases. The adoption of metal during
the first phase, associated with Rhomb-Pit and Typical Comb Ware pottery, was most
likely a local innovation. The second phase, attributed to the Asbestos- and Organictempered
Wares, saw the introduction of more advanced metallurgy that emerged as a
result of external influences. We further propose that the reasons for adopting copper
are not reducible to purely practical considerations, but had to do with symbolic or metaphysical
concepts associated with the metal: the early adoption of copper was related to the
wider Neolithisation process of the area, during which the relationships between people and
the surrounding world faced profound changes.
of metal use in northern Europe. Currently some 30 sites, which have produced approximately
180 copper finds, are known. The finds consist mainly of nuggets and indeterminate lumps
of copper, but a number of personal adornments and small tools are also present. The centre
of copper use is located on the northern and western coasts of Lake Onega, where native
copper deposits are available.
The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the early copper finds and
metal use in north-eastern Europe between 4000 and 2000 BC. It is argued that Neolithic
metal use in the research area can be divided in two phases. The adoption of metal during
the first phase, associated with Rhomb-Pit and Typical Comb Ware pottery, was most
likely a local innovation. The second phase, attributed to the Asbestos- and Organictempered
Wares, saw the introduction of more advanced metallurgy that emerged as a
result of external influences. We further propose that the reasons for adopting copper
are not reducible to purely practical considerations, but had to do with symbolic or metaphysical
concepts associated with the metal: the early adoption of copper was related to the
wider Neolithisation process of the area, during which the relationships between people and
the surrounding world faced profound changes.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Metalwork (Archaeology), Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, and 6 moreNeolithic Europe, Neolithic, Scandinavian Archaeology, Ancient Metallurgy, Copper age, and European Copper and Bronze Age – Archaeometallurgy – Prehistoric Metalworking in Social Context – Settlement Archaeology – Application of Geophysical Methods in Archaeology – Neolithic – Theory / Cultural Anthropology – Material Culture Studies
This article develops the idea that the emergence of the Neolithic world was closely linked to discovering and becoming aware of new aspects and dimensions of reality. Practices such as pottery making and cultivation promoted... more
This article develops the idea that the emergence of the Neolithic world was closely linked to discovering and becoming aware of new aspects and dimensions of reality. Practices such as pottery making and cultivation promoted attentiveness to new aspects of things and the environment, which in turn generated a new kind of lived world that was, in a sense, richer, larger and deeper than before. It is proposed that new forms of material culture and new material practices – new ways of engaging with the material world – expanded people’s horizons of perception and thinking. This cultivation of perception was an important mechanism through which new ways of life and thought associated with the Neolithic came into being.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Anthropology, Material Culture Studies, Landscape Archaeology, and 12 moreRock Art (Archaeology), Archaeological Method & Theory, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Archaeological Theory, Neolithic Transition, Neolithic Europe, Mesolithic/Neolithic, Material Culture, Neolithic, Scandinavian Archaeology, and Early Neolithic pottery technology
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Material Culture Studies, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, and 9 moreChalcolithic Archaeology, Neolithic Transition, Prehistoric Europe (Archaeology), Neolithic Europe, Mesolithic/Neolithic, Neolithic, Scandinavian Archaeology, Ancient Metallurgy, and Copper age
Research Interests:
Animistic and other alternative ontologies have recently been discussed in archaeology and material culture studies, but these discussions, while not entirely unfamiliar to historical archaeology, have so far had a limited impact on our... more
Animistic and other alternative ontologies have recently been discussed in archaeology and material culture studies, but these discussions, while not entirely unfamiliar to historical archaeology, have so far had a limited impact on our understanding of the post-medieval Western world. This paper uses Western esoteric thought and folk beliefs to engage with the idea of the relational constitution of reality. It is argued that forms of ‘magical thinking’ are relevant not only to the interpretation of particular ‘special’ activities and things but can provide new perspectives on the very dynamics of how people perceived and engaged with the world. The proposed reassessment of esoteric thought and folk beliefs has implications for, and is informed by, material culture studies. The paper begins with alchemy and proceeds to discuss broader issues.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Anthropology, Historical Archaeology, Material Culture Studies, History of Science, and 12 moreAlchemy, Archaeological Method & Theory, Magic, Western Esotericism (Anthropology), Archaeological Theory, Western Esotericism (History), Archaeology of Ritual and Magic, Material Culture, World Archaeology, Post Medieval Archaeology, Esotericism, and Western Esotericism
Animistic and other alternative ontologies have recently been discussed in archaeology and material culture studies, but these discussions, while not entirely unfamiliar to historical archaeology, have so far had a limited impact on our... more
Animistic and other alternative ontologies have recently been discussed in archaeology and material culture studies, but these discussions, while not entirely unfamiliar to historical archaeology, have so far had a limited impact on our understanding of the post-medieval Western world. This paper uses Western esoteric thought and folk beliefs to engage with the idea of the relational constitution of reality. It is argued that forms of ‘magical thinking’ are relevant not only to the interpretation of particular ‘special’ activities and things but can provide new perspectives on the very dynamics of how people perceived and engaged with the world. The proposed reassessment of esoteric thought and folk beliefs has implications for, and is informed by, material culture studies. The paper begins with alchemy and proceeds to discuss broader issues.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Anthropology, Historical Archaeology, Material Culture Studies, Alchemy, and 10 moreArchaeological Method & Theory, Magic, Western Esotericism (Anthropology), Archaeological Theory, Magic and the Occult (Anthropology Of Religion), Western Esotericism (History), Archaeology of Ritual and Magic, Material Culture, Western Esotericism, and Post-Medieval Archaeology
Research Interests: History, Archaeology, Paleontology, Mesolithic Europe, Finland, and 3 moreSámi Studies, Arctic, and Subarctic
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)
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
Book review: Georg Haggrén, Petri Halinen, Mika Lavento, Sami Raninen & Anna Wessman: Muinaisuutemme jäljet: Suomen esi- ja varhaishistoria kivikaudelta keskiajalle. Gaudeamus, Helsinki 2015. 619 s.