More work on the scientific conflict archaeology of Sovjet WW2 war graves in Hanko, S. Finland

Yesterday me and Mr Aleksi Rikkinen (Helsinki University) ventured on a 14 hour long journey, covering almost 600 kilometers, documenting and mapping archaeological sites in S. Finland.

Scientific documentation of  Soviet WW2 war graves in Hanko S. Finland. The work is done in co-operation with the embassy of the Russian Federation in Helsinki Finland.

Most of the fieldwork was done in Hanko as part of two large scale WW2 conflict archaeology projects "Durchgangslager Hanko 1942-1944" and "Hanko 1941" and in co-operation with Mr Teemu Väisänen (Helsinki University).

Scientific documentation of German WW2 remains in Hanko.

All the three of us would like to thank all of you responsible for getting these two projects going and financed. We are currently building a basecamp here in S. Helsinki (sharing the same workspace).

"Hanko 1941" reseraching and excavating a lost WW2 heritage 2018-2023.

Hopefully we will be able to share more WW2 stuff with all of you here in October 2018 (at the latest) so please stay with us!

Surveying and mapping WW2 war graves in Hanko S Finland 10.9.2018.

There was still a vivid air of summer around us today when we ventured on our first scientific fieldtrip in search of forgotten or lost WW2 war graves from the battles of Hanko front (25.6.-2.12.1941).

Clear skies above a dark heritage.

The day was successful albeit (of course) a sad one. We discovered and documented  at least six previously unknown graves dating to the Second World War and will continue our research in this particular location in the early spring of 2019. All of the fallen soldiers (including their material remains) fom the gravepit will recieve a proper burial after recovery.

The outlines of a grave are clearly visble after the removal of the topsoil and the uppermost excavation layers..

We will use every scientific method available to try to find out as much as possible, including the fates and identities of  these unknown soldiers during the years to come. We are working according to very strict ethic guidelines and will not give out detailed pictures of the recovery of the fallen.

Archaeology students measuring and mapping the WW2 graves.

Todays groundbreaking work was done in close co-opreation with Hanko Museum, "Sotavainajien muiston vaalimisyhdistys ry",  the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Finland, a small group of archaeology students from Finland (University of Oulu) and Sweden (Umeå Universitet) and with permission and help from locals and local landowners.

As a sign of respect for the fallen and their relatives there will be no other media coverage on this issue.

Community archaeology in Helsinki (Pitäjänmäki) 9.9.2018

Jump right in and check out amazing original stone-age (5000 tear old) finds "hands on", from the community archaeology dig in Pitäjänmäki (May 2018).

Archaeology is for everyone and for all ages!

Tomorrow you will also have a unique opportunity to pre register  your participation in the 2019 dig of this intriguing stone-age dwelling site  situated within minutes from Helsinki city centre!

"Made by History" a very nice new Finnish archaeology blog

This blog was started by my colleague and friend Teemu Väisänen just a way back. It´s both neat and informative.

https://tvarchaeology.blogspot.com/

Teemu and I, together with the also great Aleksi Rikkinen 😉, will be sharing a workspace in Helsinki together 2018-2019. Maybe we could blog together about or common interest in WW2 conflict archaeology here for a while during that  time! Stay tuned!

Community archaeology dig planned for June 2019 in Espoo!

From the early the 1990´s  until 2006  I supervised several large scale community archaeology excavations on exciting stone-age dwelling sites in Espoo. Next summer me and MA Janne Soisalo will try to continue the work in co-operation with local educational institutions.

From the excavationin in Lill-Ingåla in 2006. 

Photo: Tryggve Gestrin-Espoo City Museum

The excavation, that will probably be immensely popular, is planned to take place in June 2019 (the exact days will be decided later). If you are interested in participating here it is therefore necessary to send a preliminary letter of interest to jfarchaeology@gmail.com as soon as possible! Please also make suggestions of dates (in June) when you would prefer to participate.

A stone-age (ritual) mace head (KM 2611:1) in the shape of a bears head found in Espoo. 

Photo: National Board of Antiquities-Musketti

No previous knowledge of archaeology is necessary. The excavation is suitable for all ages and especially families. A maximum of 20 participants are allowed to participate per day!

Link to the excavation report Esbo Bolarskog III (J. Fast 2002). This excavation was also financed by Esbo Arbetarinstitut.

https://www.kyppi.fi/palveluikkuna/raportti/read/asp/hae_liite.aspx?id=101916&ttyyppi=pdf&kansio_id=49