We found a beautiful large head fragment of Jettböle type Clay Idol!

The second leg of excavations started with a beautiful find of an unusually large head fragment of  a Clay Idol of the same type that was found over one hundred years ago when archaeologist Björn Cefdehvarf excavated the famous site of Jettböle in Jomala on the Åland Islands. Although more figurine fragments were found during excavations in Jettböle in 1999-2000 finds of these kind of Idols are very rare indeed.

Head fragment of a Clay Idol from the Ge 16.9 site. Photos Jan Fast.

Excavations of the Geta 16.9 site in 2021 produced 15 fragments of figurines of this same type including two head fragments but these were much much smaller in size compared to the one found today. All Clay idols seem to have had a flat spoon shaped body. The ornamantation usually consits of a netlike pattern.

Fragments of Clay Idols found during the 2021 excavations of the Ge 16.9 site. 

Photos Marjo Karppanen.

Although the question of why and for what purpose the Åland Clay Idols were made remains unansvered the find context from Geta 16.9.suggests they were intentionally deposited in a pit after having been used and deliberately broken. They form an integral part of the Pitted Ware Culture in both Finland (Åland Islands) and eastern Sweden. 

Clay figurine from Jettböle. Photo Ålands Museum.

We found lot´s of other interesting artefacts today too including many more very nice large Pitted Ware Culture potsherds. Many more finds reamain to be found during the next four days.

A selection of Pitted Ware Culture potsherds found today. Photos Jan Fast.

One of the more intriguing features of the excavation area is this rectangular NE-SW orientated 

stone setting. It measures approximately 130 x 70 cm and will be carefully excavated and documented during the next couple of days

A rectangular stone setting in the S part of the excavation area. Photo Jan Fast.

The excavtion has reached level 3 (level 4 in last years trial excavation trenches is still covered with a protective layer of sand. Photo Tryggve Gestrin.