Cold War Conflict Archaeology weekend researching a tank crew training ground

Immediately after the end of the Finnish/German-Soviet War of 1941-1944 the Soviet Union imposed, that the areas west of Helsinki, around Kirkkonummi, Porkkalanniemi, Upinniemi and the fortress island of Mäkiluoto, were to be emptied of all population and leased to the USSR for 50 years, for the purpose of establishing a Soviet naval base. Finland had no choice but to agree, despite the obvious threat to Helsinki. The base became known as Porkkala Udd in the USSR.

Between 2022 and 2026 the remains of the Cold War structures of the former Soviet Naval Base are excavated, documented and mapped by the "Porkkala 1944-1956" modern conflict archaeology project. This weekend the work was concentrated to a tank crew training area in Kirkkonummi.

          

          The picture of a tank carved into a piece of tyre rubber.

This weekend the research focused on a large over 300 square meter rectangular building foundation and nearby dumpsites. 

           

         Part of the well preserved concrete structure is revealed.

The finds were no less than fantastic giving an insight in the daily life of the Soviet soldiers who served here soon after the Second World War.

                

      

               

A few finds from the first two days of research.

The site is quite a complex one so it is certain that we will be reseraching it during several upcoming field seasons. Already in Septemeber we will return to the site for another five days of excavations. In 2023 local schools will also be invited to participate.

In search of the earliest habitation on Brunskär SW Finland

Brunskär is an island in the outermost and very scenic SW Finnish archipelago. The island was  permanently inhabited in the 16-17 th centuries (but possibly much earlier). The multidisciplinary research project "Brunskär Förr" (Brunskär in the Past) suveys, documents and excavates the materiality of the early inhabitants of the island. A very unique and exiting project indeed.

Stormy seas in the outer SW Finnish archipelago.

During the past two days we surveyed an mapped an area with several old well preserved house foundations on the island. The remains were first documented by historian John Gardberg in 1929 but the importance of his find became evident much later when the descendants of the early inhabitants of the island contacted me and asked if we would be interested in conducting archaeological research of the site.

Brunskär (to the left) on an early 19th Century map. 

During the work between May 4th-5th 2023 the remains of at least two well preserved houses were found and documented by us. The finds were not plentiful (which was no surprise) but our observations indicated hundreds of finds inside the old house foundations one of which will be excavated in August 2024.

A find and one of the old house foundations on Brunskär (the remains of the oven to the right).

After a day of hard work out in the cold it was time to enjoy some of the traditional hospitality of the landowners 💓😊 Thank you so much!

Evening barbeque. 

NAU 2024 will be arranged on the Åland islands in 2024!

Today I received the fantastic news that "Kulturfonden för Sverige och Finland" has awarded me a grant to plan the next NAU (Nordiskt Amatörarkeologiskt Utgrävningsläger) camp. 

Picture from the community archaeology excavation of the site in 2022

NAU 2024 will take place on the 4 200 year old Corded Ware and Pitted Ware Culture dwelling site in Geta N. Åland. The excavation will take place in july/august 2024 and will be arranged in two five-day -long parts. 25 participants from the Nordic countries will be able to participate in both excavation weeks. NAU 2024 will include pedagogic archaeology with local schools and lot´s of other activities during the excavation itself.

Pitted Ware culture rimsherd from Geta, Östergeta Ge 16.9..

The excavation will be done in co-operation with Ålands Museum, Mariehamns Medborgarinstitut, the University of Stockholm and schools on the Åland islands. Please send a short letter of interest to jfarchaeology@gmail.com if you became interested and think that this might be something for you.

JFARCHAEOLOGY excavations in 2023

Here is a list of all our excavations in 2023. 

Every excavation is directed towards people with an interest in archaeology and we also welcome families. No previous knowledge of archaeology or archaeological excavations is needed in order to participate! Finnish, Swedish and English is spoken during the excavations.

You can book a spot at the excavation through the organizers webpage immediately when registration opens. Please act fast as many of the excavations are fully booked in a very short period of time.

There is a participation fee for the excavations that varies from 25 euros for five days to 180 euros for five days depending on the organizer. 

If you have any questions please don´t hesitate to ask, just send an email to jfarchaeology@gmail.com

Happy faces during the JFA excavations in Turku in 2022. 

May

1. Korpo, Brunskär (3.5.– 4.5.2023) 

With MA Jan Fast and MA Tryggve Gestrin.

Survey of a Maritime settlement site in the SW archipelago from the 16th to 18th centuries

Arranger: Brunskärs byalag.

2. Porkkala 1944-1956 Cold War Conflict Archaeolgy surveys (5.5.–7.5.2023) 

With MA Jan Fast.

Cold War Conflict Archaeology field school in Kirkkonummi and Sjundeå.

Arranger: Kirkkonummen kansalaisopisto.

The excavation on Facebook

3. Hanko 1941-1944 (8.5.–11.5.2023)

With MA Jan Fast and MA Fanny Fagerholm.

Conflict Archaeology excavations of Second World war sites in the vicinity of Hanko Front Museum.

Arranger: Hangö Sommaruni and Thure Galléns Stiftelse

4. Porvoo, Vävarsbacka II (15.5.–19.5.2023)

With MA Jan Fast and MA Janne Soisalo.

Archaeological excavation of a multiperiod stone age dwelling site in Porvoo S. Finland. The site has produced large amounts of finds from the Typical and Late Comb Ceramic culture, the Pyheensilta period and the Corded Ware culture.

Arranger: Borgå Medborgarinstitut.

5. Korsholm Castle (27.5.–31.5.2023)

With MA Jan Fast and archaeology student Jemina Rajamäki.

Archaeological excavation of a late Medieval fortress from the 14th Century in Vasa W. Finland.

Arranger: Medborgarinstitutet Alma.

June

6. Lohja, Kittiskoski E. (2.6.–5.6.2023)

With MA Jan Fast end MA Janne Soisalo.  

Excavation of a neolithic stone-age dwelling site in Lohja S. Finland.

Arranger: Hiiden Opisto.

REGISTER HERE!

7. Turku, Jäkärlä (7.6.–10.6 ja 11.6.–14.6.2023)

With MA Jan Fast and MA Janne Soisalo. 

Excavation of a stone age dwelling site (Jäkärlä culture) in Turku SW Finland.

Arranger: Åbo Arbetarinstitut.

REGISTER HERE!

8, Espoo, Kläppkärr (16.6.–21.6.2023)

With MA Jan Fast and MA Janne Soisalo.

Excavation of a stone-age dwelling site (early comb ceramic and corded ware culture) in Espoo S. Finland.

Arranger: Esbo Arbis.

2 spots left!

REGISTER HERE!

 

9. Kouvola, Ruskiasuo (26.6.–30.6.2023)

With MA Jan Fast and MA Janne Soisalo.

Excavation of one of the earliest sites with finds of pottery in Finland (early Comb Ceramic period) in Kouvola E. Finland.

Arranger: Kouvolan Kansalaisopisto.

SOLD OUT!

July

10. Kimitoön, Ölmosviken (24.7.–28.7 and 31.7.–4.8.2023)

With MA Jan Fast, MA Janne Soisalo, MA Fanny Fagerholm and BA Katja Hippeläinen.

Nordic amateur archaeology excavation camp NAU 2023 (Nordiskt Amatörkeologiskt Utgrävningsläger 2023). The excavation site in SW Finland dates to the late neolithic and early bronze age.

Arranger: Konstsamfundet.

A few spots left during week one (24-28.7.2023)!

REGISTER HERE!

August

11. Åland, Geta (7.8.–11.8 and 14.8.–18.8.2023)

With MA Jan Fast, MA Janne Soisalo and MA Fanny Fagerholm. 

Excavation of a neolithic stone-age (Pitted Ware Culture and Corded Ware Culture) dwelling site on the Åland islands. Previous excavations have produced a very large amount of finds and tens of clay figurine fragments.

Arranger: Mariehamns Medborgarinstitut (MEDIS).

A few spots left for both weeks!

REGISTER HERE!

12. Hanko, Second World War Conflict Archaeology (21.8.–25.8. and 28.8.–1.9.2023)

With MA Jan Fast, MA Fanny Fagerholm, BA Elisa Melasniemi and BA Katja Hippeläinen.

Conflict archaeology excavations of Soviet General Sergei Kabanovs underground command post from the early days of "Operation Barbarossa" (1941) in central Hanko S. Finland.

Arranger: Thure Galléns Stiftelse and Hangö Sommaruni.

REGISTER HERE!

13. Kristinestad, Rävåsen  6.9-8.9.2023

With MA Jan Fast.

Pedagogic archaeology project, Archaeological excavation for students from Kristinestads gymnasium .

SOLD OUT!

September

14. Espoo, Monikko (11.9.–15.9.2023) 

With MA Janne Soisalo.

Archaeological excavation of a neolithic stone-age dwelling site (Late Comb Ceramic Culture).

Arranger: Helsinki Summer University

REGISTER HERE!

15. Korsholm Castle (11.9.–15.9.2023)

With MA Jan Fast and archaeology student Jemina Rajamäki.

Archaeological excavation of a late Medieval fortress from the 14th Century in Vasa W. Finland.

Arranger: SÖFUK

Planning in progress

16. Espoo, Monikko (16.9.–17.9.2023)

With MA Jan Fast and MA Janne Soisalo.

Archaeological excavation of a neolithic stone-age dwelling site (Late Comb Ceramic Culture).

Arranger: Leppävaara-seura ry.

SOLD OUT!

17. Porvoo, Vävarsbacka II (18.–22.9.2023)

With MA Jan Fast and MA Janne Soisalo. 

Archaeological excavation of a multiperiod stone age dwelling site in Porvoo S. Finland. The site has produced large amounts of finds from the Typical and Late Comb Ceramic culture, the Pyheensilta period and the Corded Ware culture.

Arranger: Porvoon kansalaisopisto.

Registration starts in August 2023.

 

18. Porkkala 1944–1956 Cold War Conflict Archaeology field school (23.–27.9.2023)

With MA Jan Fast.

Cold War Conflict Archaeology excavations in Kirkkonummi and Sjundeå.

Arranger: Kirkkonummen kansalaisopisto.

3 spots left

REGISTER HERE!

Excavating General Sergei Kabanovs underground command post. Day 7/10.

Today we excavated with students from Kallion lukio and Helsingin kuvataidelukio. With the help of these beautiful youngsters we were finally able to reach the floor level of the operational room and the bathroom of the command post.

A few untouched "architectural" details appeared today. Photo Katja Hippeläinen. 

Excavating the very fragile floor level was quite demanding and called for a great deal of flexibility from the participants. The rain and strong winds made excavation quite difficult too and it was easy to feel that summer has turned to autumn.

Todays excavation called for gymnastics and endurance in the windy and rainy weather ;)

The weather report says it will rain all day long tomorrow so we will spend the day indoors and visit the fantastic Hanko Front Museum and attend lectures about the search of fallen and missing soldiers (Finding the Fallen of the Hanko Front) and the excavations of the German Transition Camp in Hanko (Deutsches Lager Hanko 1942-1944). A guided tour at the museum is also on the programme.

A few final touches to this years excavation area before documentation on Thursday.

Excavating General Sergei Kabanovs underground command post. Day 6/10.

Back in Hanko again after a fabulous relaxing weekend at home. We  have finally reached the floor level of the Command Post. This is the part of the excavation we worked so hard for last week.

Wooden floorboards and floral pattern linoleum carpet adorning the generals bathroom and toilet floor. Photos Katja Hippeläinen.

Tomorrow we will be joined by some 20 students from Kallion lukio and Helsingin kuvataidelukio and this day was spent preparing the excavation area for them. The students will be in for a demanding task as they will be clearing away the last layers of sand covering the floors of the WW2 structure. 

Excavating inside the operative room and Kabanovs bathroom.

As we are already in mid September the weather is starting to become a bit unsteady. Heavy rain is expected in the region on Wednesday and Thursday so we will have to be ready with excavating the floor level by tomorrow evening at the latest. After this we will document everything properly (drone photography, photogrammetry etc.) in differenth light conditions before Friday when the excavation area will be filled in and the area returned to its pre-excavation state.

The wooden floorboards show through the linoleum carpet. Photo Katja Hippeläinen

Informal learning and pedagogic Modern Conflict Archaeology with students from local schools in Hanko.

Today we finally got much needed help when twenty students from nearby Hankoniemen lukio and Hangö gymnasium joined us. The students will dig into the Second World War for the next two days. 

Students from Hankonimene lukio sieving for Second World War finds today.

What a joy to it was see the energy and good mood of the students during todays work. The participation of the schoolchuldren was made possible with funding from Mr. Kari Karvinen, Hangö Sommaruni and AKTIA stiftelsen in Hanko. Because of their energy we were able to get a lot done today and will probably reach the floor level of the command post tomorrow afternoon. Not so many WW2 finds but as I told the students "the structure itself is the find".

The excavation progressed with great speed today thanks to the work done by the students.

Next year we will continue  to offer schoolchildren the opportunity to participate in the excavations of Kabanovs underground command post with funding from Thure Galléns stiftelse. 

Hanko Casino photographed from the south. The weather continues to be in our favor :)