A Finn after all? New information on the genetics of the Janakkala swordsman

The grave of the so called Janakkala swordsman, containing two swords, was found by metal detectorists in the autumn of 2013 . The grave has since been dated to the 14th century. Genetic research has revealed interesting information about the man and his genetic heritage.

The skull of the "Janakkala swordsman". Suomen Kuvalehti 27.12.2015.

The genetic heritage of the Janakkala swordsman is much like that of Finns today. According to osteoarchaeology professor Jan Storå from the university of Stockholm it is more probable that the man was from the area modern day Finland than that he was a warrior from some other European country.

The swords. Photo Simo Vanhatalo (Museovirasto).

According to Storå 30% of todays Finns belong to the same motherline as the swordsman (3% from the fatherline). According to Storå comparing genetic material from the 14th century to that of modern Finns is difficut because due to the lack of comparative material from other graves from the 14th century. 

The text above is a free translation of the article in "Karjalainen". Read the complete article (in Finnish) by clicking on the link below.

https://www.karjalainen.fi/uutiset/uutis-alueet/kotimaa/item/207170?fbclid=IwAR3wN8UEse1PpbVk3nZwtkIlE6tLQ3-SPIuTcyXVZkOYTtIMWMn3-NDIRUg

FINN DIN FORNTID – ARKEOLOGIPEDAGOGIK PÅ KIMITOÖN 2019

I projektet får barn i olika åldrar får bekanta sig med Kimitoöns förhistoria och arkeologiska utgrävningar under ledning av arkeologerna FM Jan Fast och FM Janne Soisalo. Arkeologerna besöker också skolorna före utgrävningen och berättar om Kimitoöns förhistoria, sitt jobb och metoder på både finska och svenska. Målgruppen är Kimitoöns 5. och 6. klassister i samtliga Kimitoöns skolor men även elever i andra årskurser kan delta!

Skoleleverna deltar i utgrävningen av den fascinerande 4000 år gamla sten-/bronsåldersboplatsen vid Ölmosviken under en veckas tid men det är inte allt. En projektblogg på svenska och finska skapas tillsammans med barnen. Utgrävningsfynden uppdateras dagligen i sociala media.

Projektet avslutas med ett ”Slutseminarium” då arkeologerna besöker skolorna och berättar om resultaten och Sagalunds museipedagog går igenom utgrävningsupplevelserna med barnen

Det blir också en utställning med utgrävningsfynd och olika elevarbeten med anknytning till projektet.

”Finn Din Forntid” finansieras av medel som beviljats av ”Suomen Kulttuurirahasto (”Mullankaivajat”). Arrangör är Sagalundsgillet rf.

Häng med på ett äventyr till stenåldern!

Register now! Community Archaeology Dig in Espoo 24-30.6.2019!

Just a reminder to all of you interested in the neolithic stone-age/corded ware culture. Between June 23 and June 26th there ill be a unique opportunity to participate in a community archaeology excavation in Espoo S. Finland.

No previous knowledge of archaeology is needed in order to participate and there is no age limit although youngsters under 14 years of age have to be accompanied by an adult.

Neolithic stone axe- ore macehead from Espoo depicting the head of an elk.

The excavation is organized by Esbo Arbetarinstitut so you need to register by clicking on the link below. The number of participants is limited to only 20 persons so please act fast!

https://ilmonet.fi/#fi/search/txt=sten%25C3%25A5ldersmysterier

Only 3 spots left at the 2019 community archaeology excavation in Kouvola!!

The registration for the 2019 excavation in Kouvola (Elimäki) 7-9.6.2019 has been a huge success and now there are only three spots left! You need to act immediately to secure your spot at the very exiting excavation of an early comb ceramic dwelling site!

The place is of personal interest to me as I was the first one to inspect it as a young archaeology student back in 1988. It features in my biographical book "In the Footsteps of the Archaeologist" which will be completed in 2020.

The dwelling site still has an almost magical feel to it. With the forthcoming excavation and mapping work we hope to be able to better preserve it for future generations.

Act now and secure your participation by clicking on the link below! No previous knowledge of archaeology is necessary.

https://www.opistopalvelut.fi/kouvola/course.php?l=fi&t=19996

Archaeology dig in Porvoo, only 4 spots left!

There are only four of the 20 spots left at the Vävarsbacka II scientific community archaeology excavation i Porvoo!! The excavation of the stone-age dwelling site is from June 1st to June 5th 2019!

You can participate for one or all 5 days! No previous knowledge of archaeology is required!Please act now and secure a spot at this interesting excavation by registering through the link below.

https://www.opistopalvelut.fi/porvoo/course.php?l=sv&t=9492

Languages spoken during the excavation are Swedish, Finnish and English. See you in Porvoo in June!

The registration for the 2019 archaeological excavation in Porvoo has started!!

The registration for the upcoming community archaeology dig of the neolithic dwelling site Vävarsbacka II in Porvoo has started! The excavation is from June 1st to June 5th 2019.

Last years dig "sold out" in a couple of days so act fast and secure a spot at this exiting dig by clicking on the link below. We speak Finnish, Swedish and English during the excavation.

https://www.opistopalvelut.fi/porvoo/course.php?l=sv&t=9492

The ultimate Christmas present. Participate in an archaeological excavation gift card!

Ever heard how he or she always wanted to be an archaeologist. Why not make your friends wish come through! Secure a spot for him or her at one of next years JFArchaeology community archaeology digs and give a Christmas present that will be remembered for years and years to come.

Want to hear more? For personal gift cards and additional information contact jfarchaeology@gmail.com 

The Finnish Cultural Foundation "Mullankaivajat" grant to Sagalunds Museum

Today was a very good day. Next year we will be able to take the Ölmosviken dig to a whole new level together with Sagalunds Museum thanks  to a substantial grant from The Finnish Cultural Foundation!

Next years dig will involve local schools and schoolchildren of different ages from the island of Kemiönsaari (SW Finland). The students will participate hands on in the excavation of a late stone age/early bronze age dwelling site but there will be much, much more to the exciting overall experience than this.

Stay tuned for more information on this exiting neolithic adventure in the near future here and on Facebook.

Participate in an archaeological excavation in Espoo in 2019

Good news! It is now verified Esbo Arbetarinstitut will arrange an archaeological excavation in Espoo in 2019! There will also be a couple of interesting  lectures before the actual fieldwork kicks off (the dates of these will be revealed later). Anyone with an interest in archaeology can participate in this exciting excavation for one or all six days.

The excavation will take place on a stone-age dwelling site in Espoo from June 24th to June 29th 2019. Your work will help protect this important stone-age site (rich in stone-age finds) for future generations but it is also important in itself as the results will be published after the excavation.

Join us in an the investigation of an important but not so well known part of the history of Espoo. Register now by clicking on the link below, the amount of participants is limited to only 20 participants per day!

https://ilmonet.fi/#fi/search/txt=kurs+i+arkeologisk+utgr%25C3%25A4vningsteknik

Exciting community archaeology excavation in Helsinki (Pitäjänmäki) 2019

We are extremely happy to announce that the excavations of the comb ceramic dwelling site in Pitäjänmäki (Turkismiehentien leikkikenttä) will continue  between 13-17.6.2019.  Anyone with an interest in archaeology can participate!

The excavation will be arranged in co-operation with "Pitäjänmäki seura ry". Pre registration is now possible, please act fast since there are only 15 spots/day available!

Contact jfarchaeology@gmail.com

Please notice that I will also be lecturing about the results of the 2018 excavations in the Pitäjänmäki library on November 29th at 6 PM.

http://www.helmet.fi/fi-FI/Kirjastot_ja_palvelut/Pitajanmaen_kirjasto/Tapahtumat/Luento_arkeologiasta(172955)

Vävarsbacka 2019. The registration for next years excavation starts 2.1.2019 at 10.00 am!

Arkeologisk utgrävning av stenåldersboplatsen Vävarsbacka II i Borgå 14.5 och 1-5.6.2019

Anmälan börjar 2.1.2019 kl. 10:00!!

Utgrävning må-sö 1-5.6.2019 kl. 10.00-16.00. 

Sammanlagt 32 lektioner

Arkeologer FM Jan Fast och FM Janne Soisalo

Kursavgift 75,00 € Max 20 studerande.

Kom med och lär dig arkeologisk utgrävningsteknik i praktiken. Vi gör en utgrävning av en fyndrik 5500 år gammal stenåldersboplats i Vävarsbacka i Borgå.

Kursen inleds tisdagen 14.5 kl. 18.00-19.30 med en öppen avgiftsfri föreläsning om stenåldersboplatsen i Vävarsbacka och om arkeologiska fältarbeten. Föreläsningen hålls i Lyceiparkens skola, Biskopsgatan 3-7, ytterdörr A.

Kursen fortsätter sedan med utgrävningar i Vävarsbacka under fem dagars tid, lördag 1.6 - onsdag 5.6 kl. 10.00-16.00. Ingen förhandskunskap om arkeologi krävs och all grävutrustning finns tillhanda på utgrävningsplatsen.

Barn under 14 år kan delta endast i sällskap av en myndig person. Man får mest ut av kursen genom att delta alla dagar, men det är också möjligt att vara med ett färre antal dagar för att få en uppfattning om de arkeologiska fynden och grävningarna. Kursavgiften är 75 euro oberoende av om man är borta någon dag.

Ohjausta voidaan antaa myös suomeksi ja englanniksi, kaikki asiasta kiinnostuneet mukaan!

The teachers can also instruct you in English. Come along!

Mapping the heritage value of the Mannerheim line

PhD Oula Seitsonen has ventured on a new WW2 conflict archaeology project. This time the focus is on the Mannerheim-Line on the Carelian Isthmus. Please read more about the background and motives of the project by clicking on the link below the pictures!

https://www.academia.edu/37651740/Project_overview_Archaeology_of_the_Mannerheim_Line_-_Mapping_the_Heritage_Value_of_Finnish_Second_World_War_Defensive_Line_in_Karelian_Isthmus_Russia_2018-2019_?fbclid=IwAR05bthjWWsF0fyeClewO47D_ghfCACuPiyuC0J1lGbd-9vQZNE-VK18S_0

WW2 Conflict Archaeology Seminar and work with cleaning the finds from the 2014-2018 excavations of "Durchgangslager Hangö"

"Hangö Sommaruniversitet" and JFArchaeology offer a unique experience within the field of WW2 conflict archaeology.

You are invited to help in cleaning and sorting the unique finds from the German WW2 transition camp in Hanko S. Finland and listen to lectures and participate in discussions on different aspects of WW2 conflict archaeology in (different topics every day). The Finnish, Swedish and English.
languages spoken are Finnish, Swedish, English and German. The seminar is free of charge!

Spots are very limited, only 5 people per day can participate. Participants in the excavations from 2015-2018 are prioritized.

The seminar will take place from november 5th to November 11th 2018 (daily from 10-16 hours). The venue is Kaapelitehdas in central Helsinki.

Recommended reading. Books will also be available during the seminar.

Send letters of interest to jfarchaeology@gmail.com as soon as possible and tell us which days you would like to participate!

More info soon!

Articles about the "Hanko 1941" project

Two newspaper articles were published about the new WW2 conflict archaeology project. The article in Västra Nyland is in swedish and the article in Hangon lehti in finnish.

Postcard from the Hanko front after the liberation of Hanko to a Waffenbruder in the Wehrmacht.

https://www.vastranyland.fi/artikel/krigets-mangfald-lyfts-fram/

https://www.hangotidningen.fi/article/sodan-monimuotoisuus-huomion-kohteena/

About the conflict archaeology project "Hanko 1941"

”Hanko 1941”

A new scientific conflict- and community archaeology project in Hanko S. Finland 2019-2025.

The project studies Hanko as a war zone during the Second World War from the viewpoints of modern conflict archaeology and more traditional war- and social history. All work is done within a strict ethical framework and with proper safety and other important issues taken into consideration.

In the frontline trench. Photo SA kuva.

Included in the project are archive work, interviews with Finnish, Scandinavian and Russian war veterans (+ civilians) and archaeological field surveys and excavations (in co-operation with archaeologists, universities and students from the Nordic countries).

Swedish (later KIA) sniper at the Hanko front. Colorized SA-photo.

The main partners in the project are at this point Hanko Museum, Hanko war museum, "Hangö Sommaruniversitet", The Russian Embassy in Finland and "Sotavainajien muiston vaalimisyhdistys ry" (the recovery and search for war dead and missing soldiers).

Fierce fighting took place in the archipelago. Photo SA kuva.

In 2019 we will concentrate on documenting the barracks area of "Svenska Frivilligbataljonen", the remains of General Kabanovs command bunker in central Hanko and the battle of Bengtskär. We will use remote sensing and non destructive documentation methods in order to help preserve this dark WW2 heritage for future generations.

Making WW2 history accessible to the general public in Hanko, S. Finland.

The results of the project will be made public in a publication and  in an exhibition in Hanko in 2026.

If you are interested in participating in this project or have information that you think might be of interest to us, please email us at  jfarchaeology@gmail.com

Surveying Karis (Raseborg) 5-7.10.2018

This was probably the last days of fieldwork done by us in S. Finland. The weather was excellent (again) and the team functioned like clockwork. Everybody enjoyed themselves and that clearly showed up in the results too.

The colours of "Ruska".

We surveyed in two areas, avoiding the traditional approach of just looking at areas were the soil had been disturbed by building activity or forestry.

Surveying in the woods.

The approach made work quite slow and put a strain on the participants "swinging the shovel" but nobody complained. Picking wondeful forest mushrooms made our work even more enjoyable.

Delicious forest mushrooms <3

The results speak for themselves. Although we only spent some nine hours in thefield we managed to inspect and find new prehistoric sites among them one neolithic stone-age site that probably will rank as one of the largest in the region.

 Fragment of a whetstone.

Late neolithic rimsherd.

Late neolithic potsherds of so called Uskela type (Ka III:1)

We hope to be able to make trial excavations here already in the spring of 2019! See you in Karis :)

Saying goodbye to Långåmossarna

Feeling a bit sentimental now. A couple of days ago, 2.10 to be exact, we finished off the excavations of the Långåmossarna early comb ceramic/corded ware culture settlement site in Raseborg SW Finland. My work on this site started in 1992.

Early comb ceramic potsherd photographed "in situ" during a visit to the site in 2009.

All through these many years we have worked together with the local community especially Karis Hembygdsförening. I can´t recall a single bad day. This feeling of gratitude continued until the last minutes of this years excavation. Below some pictures from the happy years gone by.

Now it´s time to write the scientific publication :)

Impressions from the late stone-age/early bronze age dig at Ölmosviken

Winter is closing in on us archaeologists here in Finland but there is still time for some serious fieldwork up here "on the top of the world".

Rescue excavation of the eroding part of the dwelling site at Ölmosviken.

We are now back from a short but very sweet dig of a late neolithic early bronze-age dwelling site area at Kimitoön i SW Finland.

Ölmosviken, settlement site IV.

Unil now this intriguing site was only a spot on a map but after this years trial excavations we are suddenly confronted with a large well preserved, late stone-age settlement.

                                                                            Ölmosviken, settlement site III.

The settlement area covers over 600 meters in length and 30 meters in width comprising of at least 5 different clusters of late stone-age or early bronze age settlements or more likely individual houses. The finds are mostly of stone-age character.

 Stone chisel.

Kiukais culture potsherd in situ.

Burnt seal bones.

Kiukais culture potsherds.

We will continue trial excavations here in late 2019 with a large scale (Scandinavian) excavation planned for 2020.