- Archaeology, Medieval Archaeology, Zooarchaeology, Hunters, Fishers and Gatherers' Archaeology, Osteoarchaeology, Stable Isotope Analysis, and 7 moreBurial Practices (Archaeology), Ritual Zooarchaeology, Anthropology, Historical Archaeology, Archaeological Method & Theory, Ethnicity, and Neolithic Archaeologyedit
Human skeletal remains have been found very rarely in Stone Age graves in Finland. The rare preserved bones or teeth are extremely fragile and fragmented. Typically, Stone Age graves are identified only because of distinct ochre features,... more
Human skeletal remains have been found very rarely in Stone Age graves in Finland. The rare preserved bones or teeth are extremely fragile and fragmented. Typically, Stone Age graves are identified only because of distinct ochre features, sometimes associated with grave goods of stone and amber. In many cases, the ochre features have been interpreted as graves because of their size, shape and the artefacts found. Moreover, the lack of organic material has also complicated the dating of the graves. In January 2015, we systematically collected and analysed this sparse and fragile human osteological material. Human teeth or bone were identified from nine sites mainly located in the southern and central parts of Finland. Our analysis shows that adults and subadults were buried in these studied graves. We also found that prehistoric people experienced childhood stress, indicated by the linear enamel hypoplasia in some of the teeth. They also had caries, although we did not observe dental calculus.
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In this contribution, we focus on the Lake Sarvinki area in eastern Finland and its position in the postglacial colonisation of Fennoscandia. Two sites (Rahakangas 1 and Jokivarsi 1) with radiocarbon dates reaching as far as c.... more
In this contribution, we focus on the Lake Sarvinki area in eastern Finland and its position in the postglacial colonisation of Fennoscandia. Two sites (Rahakangas 1 and Jokivarsi 1) with radiocarbon dates reaching as far as c. 11,100–10,600 cal BP, contemporary to the late part of Yoldia Sea phase in the Baltic Sea basin, have been studied on a former lake shore. The excavations at Rahakangas 1 in 2009–10 concentrated in and around a house-pit. The main finds consist of a red ochre grave, burnt bones and chipped lithics. Radiocarbon determinations show three periods of site use, one in the Early Mesolithic, one in the Late Mesolithic and one in the Early Metal Period. The refuse fauna from Rahakangas 1 indicates a versatile use of animal resources. The collection of chipped lithics shows a similar pattern, and includes some exotic flints together with local quartz, quartzite and slate. Preserved tooth enamel of a child or a juvenile was found in the grave. Charcoal from the sand fi...
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Stable URL: www.sarks.fi/masf/masf_2/SLT_06_Rainio_Mannermaa.pdf ISBN 978-952-67594-7-0 (PDF) ISBN 978-952-67594-6-3 (hardback)
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In this contribution, we focus on the Lake Sarvinki area in eastern Finland and its position in the postglacial colonisation of Fennoscandia. Two sites (Rahakangas 1 and Jokivarsi 1) with radiocarbon dates reaching as far as c.... more
In this contribution, we focus on the Lake Sarvinki area in eastern Finland and its position in the postglacial colonisation of Fennoscandia. Two sites (Rahakangas 1 and Jokivarsi 1) with radiocarbon dates reaching as far as c. 11,100–10,600 cal BP, contemporary to the late part of Yoldia Sea phase in the Baltic Sea basin, have been studied on a former lake shore. The excavations at Rahakangas 1 in 2009–10 concentrated in and around a house-pit. The main finds consist of a red ochre grave, burnt bones and chipped lithics. Radiocarbon determinations show three periods of site use, one in the Early Mesolithic, one in the Late Mesolithic and one in the Early Metal Period. The refuse fauna from Rahakangas 1 indicates a versatile use of animal resources. The collection of chipped lithics shows a similar pattern, and includes some exotic flints together with local quartz, quartzite and slate. Preserved tooth enamel of a child or a juvenile was found in the grave. Charcoal from the sand fi...
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A total of 317 burials, mostly from the Stone Age, have been detected in the Zvejnieki archaeological complex in northern Latvia. Animal bones are often found in Zvejnieki graves. Some of them are modified into artefacts like pendants and... more
A total of 317 burials, mostly from the Stone Age, have been detected in the Zvejnieki archaeological complex in
northern Latvia. Animal bones are often found in Zvejnieki graves. Some of them are modified into artefacts like
pendants and can be associated with the human burials as grave goods. However, the behavioural interpretation of
unmodified animal bones is less straightforward. By dating human and animal bones with the radiocarbon method it
is possible to investigate whether animal bones were intended as grave goods or deposited in the grave area due to
other activities. Bird bones are present in sixteen Mesolithic and Neolithic burials at Zvejnieki. We dated six unmodified
bird bone and three human bone samples from Zvejnieki in order to investigate whether bird bones are contemporary
with humans and thus most likely part of the grave. Four of the bird specimens are of markedly different age from the
human remains dated in this study or in previous studies and cannot be interpreted as grave goods. The age of one
bird bone is similar to that of the human sample. The dates obtained from human bones in general fit quite well within
the previously given archaeological dates for the cemetery.
northern Latvia. Animal bones are often found in Zvejnieki graves. Some of them are modified into artefacts like
pendants and can be associated with the human burials as grave goods. However, the behavioural interpretation of
unmodified animal bones is less straightforward. By dating human and animal bones with the radiocarbon method it
is possible to investigate whether animal bones were intended as grave goods or deposited in the grave area due to
other activities. Bird bones are present in sixteen Mesolithic and Neolithic burials at Zvejnieki. We dated six unmodified
bird bone and three human bone samples from Zvejnieki in order to investigate whether bird bones are contemporary
with humans and thus most likely part of the grave. Four of the bird specimens are of markedly different age from the
human remains dated in this study or in previous studies and cannot be interpreted as grave goods. The age of one
bird bone is similar to that of the human sample. The dates obtained from human bones in general fit quite well within
the previously given archaeological dates for the cemetery.
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At the moment, paleodietary research in Finland is made difficult by the very limited number of available baseline isotope data. This poster presents work undertaken this year, which focuses on providing sorely needed stable isotope data... more
At the moment, paleodietary research in Finland is made difficult by the very limited number of available baseline isotope data. This poster presents work undertaken this year, which focuses on providing sorely needed stable isotope data to inform paleodiet reconstructions and modeling efforts in Northern Europe, specifically in the Baltic Sea region.
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The article discusses radiocarbon dates of 17 skeletons excavated from ten Stone Age burial sites in Estonia. The skeletons, dated by the AMS method in the frames of different research projects in recent years, are presented by burial... more
The article discusses radiocarbon dates of 17 skeletons excavated from ten Stone Age burial sites in Estonia. The skeletons, dated by the AMS method in the frames of different research projects in recent years, are presented by burial sites together with detailed descriptions of the graves. The graves are compared with one another and main temporal differences and similarities are introduced. If the obtained results are different from the interpretations valid so far, the credibility of the dates is contemplated on. On the basis of the obtained radiocarbon dates the Estonian Stone Age inhumation graves can be divided into four groups: the Early Neolithic (Veibri II, Tamula VII and Kivisaare IV), the end of the Early Neolithic; the beginning of the Middle Neolithic (Tamula VIII and X), the Middle Neolithic (Tamula I, III, XIX and Kudruküla) and the Late Neolithic (Ardu II, Sope II, Tika, Kunila II, Karlova and Naakamäe). The dates enable following changes in the burial customs during the Neolithic more exactly than before. In addition to the burials within settlement sites also separate burial sites have been established all through the Neolithic. Single burials dominate at that time and the deceased have been buried both in straight supine and flexed positions; however, the composition and number of grave goods vary.
Hangethe or Hanko, as it is called today, lies in a maritime environment. The easiest way to get to Hanko was by sea. The Gunnarsängen site at the very end of the peninsula was excavated between 2003 and 2006. Written sources are of... more
Hangethe or Hanko, as it is called today, lies in a maritime environment. The easiest way to get to
Hanko was by sea. The Gunnarsängen site at the very end of the peninsula was excavated between
2003 and 2006. Written sources are of little help for interpreting the medieval settlement history
of Hanko. Archaeology offers possibilities for gaining additional information. Gunnarsängen was
probably inhabited by the late Iron Age. This paper discusses the structures and activity areas at
Gunnarsängen and what they reveal about the subsistence and economy of its medieval inhabitants.
It will be shown that the maritime setting had an impact on the site located literally where
the land ends and meets the sea
Hanko was by sea. The Gunnarsängen site at the very end of the peninsula was excavated between
2003 and 2006. Written sources are of little help for interpreting the medieval settlement history
of Hanko. Archaeology offers possibilities for gaining additional information. Gunnarsängen was
probably inhabited by the late Iron Age. This paper discusses the structures and activity areas at
Gunnarsängen and what they reveal about the subsistence and economy of its medieval inhabitants.
It will be shown that the maritime setting had an impact on the site located literally where
the land ends and meets the sea
Mesowear analysis is a powerful tool for paleodiet reconstruction in ungulates. In this study, we apply this method to archeological data. We conduct mesowear analysison cheek teeth of medieval horses from the Levänluhta site in... more
Mesowear analysis is a powerful tool for paleodiet reconstruction in ungulates. In this
study, we apply this method to archeological data. We conduct mesowear analysison cheek teeth of medieval horses from the Levänluhta site in Ostrobothnia, western Finland and, for comparison, we study medieval and post-medieval horse teeth from Viljandi and Tallinn, Estonia. Our results show attrition-dominated mesowear indicating browsing diet for the medieval Levänluhta horses, while the Viljandi horses have
mesowear indicating more mixed diet. Mesowear on teeth from Tallinn horses suggestnprimarily grazing-like abrasive diet. Differences maybe due to different diet of horses in Finland and Estonia, or may point to seasonal differences in diet and thus indicate different times of death for these horses.
study, we apply this method to archeological data. We conduct mesowear analysison cheek teeth of medieval horses from the Levänluhta site in Ostrobothnia, western Finland and, for comparison, we study medieval and post-medieval horse teeth from Viljandi and Tallinn, Estonia. Our results show attrition-dominated mesowear indicating browsing diet for the medieval Levänluhta horses, while the Viljandi horses have
mesowear indicating more mixed diet. Mesowear on teeth from Tallinn horses suggestnprimarily grazing-like abrasive diet. Differences maybe due to different diet of horses in Finland and Estonia, or may point to seasonal differences in diet and thus indicate different times of death for these horses.
The earliest dog finds in Finland are nearly as old as the evidence of human occupation in Finland, more than 10 000 years. Although scarce and mainly burnt and poorly preserved, dog bones are present in southern Finland throughout the... more
The earliest dog finds in Finland are nearly as old as the evidence of human occupation in Finland, more than 10 000 years. Although scarce and mainly burnt and poorly preserved, dog bones are present in southern Finland throughout the Stone Age. In northern Finland, however, dogs are absent in palaeofauna. Dog bones are present at Iron Age sites, where they are found in both occupational contexts and burials. Dog bones from Iron Age burials are mainly burnt, but those from occupational sites are unburnt, as are those found at Historical Period sites. Early dogs probably aided in seal and elk hunt and were also used for pulling sleds, but occasionally also eaten and used in ritual activities. The size and shape of the early dogs resemble those of a Spitz, which lends support to the notion that the Finnish Spitz may have ancient origins.
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"In this contribution, we focus on the Lake Sarvinki area in eastern Finland and its position in the postglacial colonisation of Fennoscandia. Two sites (Rahakangas 1 and Jokivarsi 1) with radiocarbon dates reaching as far as c.... more
"In this contribution, we focus on the Lake Sarvinki area in eastern Finland and its position in the postglacial colonisation of Fennoscandia. Two sites (Rahakangas 1 and Jokivarsi 1) with radiocarbon dates reaching as far as c. 11,100–10,600 cal BP, contemporary to the late part of Yoldia Sea phase in the Baltic Sea basin, have been studied on a former lake shore. The excavations at Rahakangas 1 in 2009–10 concentrated in and around a house-pit. The main finds consist of a red ochre grave, burnt bones and chipped lithics. Radiocarbon determinations show three periods of site use, one in the Early Mesolithic, one in the Late Mesolithic and one in the Early Metal Period. The refuse fauna from Rahakangas 1 indicates a versatile use of animal resources. The collection of chipped lithics shows a similar pattern, and includes some exotic flints together with local quartz, quartzite and slate. Preserved tooth enamel of a child or a juvenile was found in the grave. Charcoal from the sand filling was dated to the Late Mesolithic, 8600–8408 cal BP. This makes it the oldest dated grave with preserved organic material in Finland and alsothe earliest piece of evidence that connects eastern Finland with the widespread tradition of using red ochre in burials. AMS-dates, artefacts and structures indicate a complex history of site use, and suggest shifts in foraging strategies, mobility, the length of site occupation, and the size and composition of the occupying group."
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Résumé/Abstract This paper presents bird finds at the Zvejnieki burial area in Latvia. The majority of the burials date to the Neolithic and Mesolithic. Most of the finds are unmodified bones or parts of bones, but even modified bones and... more
Résumé/Abstract This paper presents bird finds at the Zvejnieki burial area in Latvia. The majority of the burials date to the Neolithic and Mesolithic. Most of the finds are unmodified bones or parts of bones, but even modified bones and artefacts are present. The ...
Animal bones in human burials may reveal aspects of the relationship between animals and humans. This article describes the roles of birds in mortuary practices and in the ideology of Stone Age northern Europe. Bird bones from two large... more
Animal bones in human burials may reveal aspects of the relationship between animals and humans. This article describes the roles of birds in mortuary practices and in the ideology of Stone Age northern Europe. Bird bones from two large burial sites, Middle Neolithic Ajvide (Gotland, Sweden) and Mesolithic and Neolithic Zvejnieki (Latvia) are investigated with osteological methods. Beads and pendants were fashioned from the wing bones of waterbirds, and used in the decoration of the body or the burial dress. The jay was found in three Neolithic burials at Zvejnieki, and it may have been a totem animal for the Middle Neolithic people at Zvejnieki, and its wings or feathers were presumably attached to dresses and costumes for the dead. Bird remains in burials at Ajvide, Zvejnieki and some other Stone Age cemeteries may indicate similar features in the way of perceiving birds, especially the possible symbolic roles of waterbirds and wings. The findings are discussed from the perspective of the cosmology of historical hunter–gatherer (and herding) groups in modern Russia.
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We have conducted a detailed taphonomic study of the avifauna of the Pitted Ware culture site of Ajvide on the Island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, in order to investigate the fowling patterns and the taphonomic history of the bird... more
We have conducted a detailed taphonomic study of the avifauna of the Pitted Ware culture site of Ajvide on the Island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, in order to investigate the fowling patterns and the taphonomic history of the bird remains. We have investigated cultural as well as natural modifications on the bird bones, fragmentation and fracture patterns, and performed a systematic surface modification study. No specific area for the deposition of bird remains or specific bird species was identified. All major anatomical parts of birds are present in the assemblage, but there is a dominance of specimens from the wing elements. Traces of cultural modification were observed on the bones, including cut marks, burning, modification (implements, beads, raw material), and gnawing marks. The bone surface modifications and fracture analysis indicate that the majority of the bird bones at Ajvide did not lie on the soil surface for an extended period of time before being deposited in the soil. Dry fractures increase while fresh fractures decrease towards the upper levels of the stratigraphy, indicating more extensive post-depositional destruction. This may partly be connected to modern agriculture, but also to later use of the settlement area as a burial ground. The Ajvide assemblage contains a variety of birds living in different biotopes. However, bird hunting was mainly focused on sea birds. Auks and ducks are the most common families in the assemblage. We find it likely that the Ajvide hunters conducted organised hunting expeditions to two nearby islands for the hunting of auks, while it was possible to hunt other birds such as ducks closer to the site. The presence of medullary bone and bones from subadult birds indicates a main hunting season in late spring and early summer. However, comparisons with modern migration patterns indicate that hunting may have occurred throughout the year. Of special palaeozoological interest is the find of gannet (Morus bassanus), which apparently in Neolithic times visited the Baltic area more regularly than today. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.