Finland

The Pre-Classical Age

(3500-800 B.C.E.)

rock paintings of Astuvansalmi

(3000-2500BC)

            The rock paintings of Astuvansalmi are the largest collection of rock paintings in the entire region of Scandinavia. There are 65 rock paintings at the location containing different images. The images that occur the most are drawings of elks and humans. The second most common images depicted are hand prints and animal tracks. The rock paintings also contain geometric figures, fish, and dogs. The historical cite in total has 65 rock paintings, it is also very possible that some images were lost over the years. This is a very interesting historical find because it shows the creativity of people at such and early stage of our existence. The paintings suggest the things that the ancient peoples hold dear. They must have valued animals very highly for them to draw animals as much or more than humans. This makes me believe the humans of this ancient age realized how important animals were to their survival.

"Astuvansalmi Rock Paintings, Ristiina, Finland." Spottinghistory.com. Spottinghistory.com, n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.

Jätinkirkko

“the giant’s church”

(2700-2200 B.C)

          The ruins of what was once called Jatinkirkko, meaning the giant’s church, was one of the first structures of ancient Finland. The cite is believed to be built between 2700-2200 B.C and is in Kastelli, Finland. The fort sits on the top of a hill and in present day the walls are still two meters high. The creation of this structure was very uncommon of a hunter- gatherer culture

"Stone Age Ruin of Kastelli, Raahe, Finland." Spottinghistory.com. Spottinghistory.com, n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.

Bronze Age Burial Site of Sammallahdenmäki

(1500-500 B.C)

The image above shows a burial cairn from the pre-classical Scandinavian burial site called Sammallahdenmaki. The burial site is in the Gulf of Bothnia which is now a part of modern day Finland. The location has 33 different burial cairns that are dated within a span of 1000 years. This is a very interesting to me because it shows that the burial practices of this site became a tradition for many generations of people who lived in the area. The people who created these cairns would go to the extent of physically removing the large rocks from cliff sides and hauling them to the cairns. There seems to be a pattern of labor intensive death rituals all around the ancient world.     

Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Bronze Age Burial Site of Sammallahdenmäki." UNESCO World Heritage Centre. UNESCO, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2017.

Primary and Secondary Sources

Comb ceramic pottery from Estonia

(4000-2000 B.C.E.)

The image above is the remains of a ceramic pot from Estonia from a Pit–Comb Ware culture. The same style of Pit-Comb Ware culture can be found in Finland as well as Estonia. It is written in an article on revolvy.com that “Sperrings ceramics is the original name given for the younger early Comb ware found in Finland.” The use of these ceramic pots goes hand in hand with the hunter gather style of culture for the use of storage.

The patterns and decorations of the pots varied from region to region but the base mechanics of the pottery remained relatively the same. “The ceramics consist of large pots that are rounded or pointed below, with a capacity from 40 to 60 liters.” The ability to utilize ceramic pots to the advantage of Finnish people was learned at a very early time. “Calibrated radiocarbon dates for the comb-ware fragments found, give a total interval of 5600 BC – 2300 BC.” It truly is amazing how creative humans were at such an ancient time.

Revolvy, LLC. ""Pit–Comb+Ware+culture" on Revolvy.com." All Revolvy Quizzes. Revolvy, n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

OTTERBÖTE SITE

(1000 B.C.E.)

This historical site located in Kökar, Finland is truly a wonderful glimpse into the past. According to the website spotting history “The site was populated around 1000 BC by seal-hunters who came from Poland.” It is very fascinating that this little settlement was made for the purpose of hunting seals. The site was not a permanent home for the people of ancient Finland and they only “used this site during the hunting season.” When the land became too cold for comfort they would migrate to the south.

The site seems to have been well established for its time. The author writes that “The site consists of remains of nine huts, several rubbish heaps and a little well, which is the earliest known well in Finland.” Besides clothing, these finds prove that the people living in this area had their basic human necessities covered. It is amazing that people constructed a well at such an ancient time.    

"Otterböte Bronze Age Site, Kökar, Finland." SpottingHistory.com. Spotting History, n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

KUNINKAANHAUTA

(1500-1300 B.C.E.)

This massive burial cairn is located in Eura Finland. Interestingly, it is only about 9 kilometers to the northeast of the burial site of Sammallahdenmaki. While Sammallahdenmaki boasts its possession of the largest collection of burial cairns, Kuninkaahauta possesses the largest single burial cairn. It is stated on the website spotting history that “Kuninkaanhauta is the largest Bronze Age cairn in Finland. The stone huddle is 36x30 meters wide and four meters high.” It must have taken that ancient people a very long time to construct this chunk of history.

This particular cairn has an interesting story behind it. The author writes that “According the legend a local king or chief is buried to the cairn.” There have been no archaeological investigations into the structure, so it is still uncertain if the cairn was built in one single construction. The author writes that “It's quite probable several burials are made to Kuninkaanhauta during decades or centuries and it's expanded little by little.” If this theory is that case, then there may not be a king buried at this historical site.

"Kuninkaanhauta, Eura, Finland." SpottingHistory.com. Spotting History, n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

"Kuninkaanhauta." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Apr. 2017. Web. 01 May 2017.

The Classical Age

(800 B.C.E.- 500 C.E.)

LIETO OLD CASTLE

(1500-500 B.C.E.)

The image shows a hill in Lieto Finland that holds the ruins of the Lieto Old Castle. Researchers estimate that the castle was in use between the years 1500 to 500 B.C.E. The ancient people of Lieto chose this area to fortify because of its strategic high ground. It was much easier to fight of invaders if they were trying to scale a hill before engaging in a fight. This historic site was privately owned, until the owners donated the land to the University of Turku. The school uses the site to provide its students with archeological training.

"Lieto Old Castle, Lieto, Finland." SpottingHistory.com. Spotting History, n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

Kantele

(100 -1100 C.E)

The instrument shown above is a Finnish Kantele. The Kantele is a wooden stringed instrument that is played by being plucked. The Kantele is often associated with the ancient Finnish art of rune sinning. The Kantele’s creation is estimated to be about 2,000 to 1,000 years ago. Finnish folklore tells the story about how the first Kantele was created from a giant pike’s jawbone. The Kantele lost popularity after Finland adopted Christianity, but it is still a living aspect of Finnish culture.

"Kantele." Kantele - New World Encyclopedia. New World Encyclopedia, n.d. Web. 07 May 2017.

Three-Headed Eagle Pendant

(1000 B.C.E.- 600 C.E)

 

This three-headed eagle pendant was found on the island of Pohdonsaari in Lake Laukko Finland. This island is mentioned in ancient Finnish legend to be the place where a duel between a chief and a giant. Each of the heads on the pendant is said to represent a person’s soul. Researchers believe that the pendant was left behind to aid some fallen companions in their journey to the afterlife.    

"Three-Headed Eagle Pendant." MessageToEagle.com. Message To Eagle, 23 Sept. 2016. Web. 08 May 2017.

Primary and Secondary Sources

Tacitus’s writings of Scandinavians

(56-120 C.E.)

 “And now begin the states of the Suiones, situated on the Ocean itself, and these, besides men and arms, are powerful in ships. The form of their vessels is peculiar in this respect, that a prow at either extremity acts as a forepart, always ready for running into shore. They are not worked by sails, nor have they a row of oars attached to their sides; but, as on some rivers, the apparatus of rowing is unfixed, and shifted from side to side as circumstances require. And they likewise honor wealth, and so a single ruler holds sway with no restrictions, and with no uncertain claim to obedience. Arms are not with them, as with the other Germans, at the general disposal, but are in the charge of a keeper, who is actually a slave; for the ocean forbids the sudden inroad of enemies, and, besides, an idle multitude of armed men is easily demoralized. And indeed it is by no means the policy of a monarch to place either a nobleman, a freeborn citizen, or even a freedman, at the head of an armed force.”

          Cornelius Tacitus was a roman historian that wrote about many ancient civilizations during his life between 56-120 C.E. The passage above is taken from his writings about the ancient people of Germany. In this section of the writing Tacitus describes the ships that these ancient peoples used and how they differed from roman ships. Tacitus was surprised that the ships did not have sails and were propelled only by rowing. The people who lived along the coast of Finland in the classical era usedthe same style of ship.

Tacitus. "Tacitus: Germany Book 1." Tacitus: Germany: Book 1 [40]. Sacred-texts.com, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2017.

"Tacitus." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Apr. 2017. Web. 26 Apr. 2017.

 The Post-Classical Age

(500 C.E. -1300 C.E.)

New Iron Age Sites Discovered in Finland

(1000- 1200 C.E.)

This image displays the somewhat recent archaeological find in southeastern Finland. This site is located close to Ahvenkoski village at the mouth of the western section of the Kymi River. Archaeologists uncovered remains of a smithy, an iron smelting furnace, and hundreds of iron objects related to ship building. A year later in 2011 archaeologists also uncovered a large cremation grave filled with burnt human bones. This marks a huge technological advancement for the people of ancient Finland. The ability to use iron is a useful in many ways including warfare.

"New Iron Age Sites Discovered in Finland." Popular Archeology. Ppopular Archaeology, 10 June 2014. Web. 26 Apr. 2017.

BORGBODA HILLFORT

(1000 C.E.)

This historical site is located in Saltvik Finland. The Borgboda Hillfort is the largest hillfort in Finland. This hillfort was in use arounf 1000 C.E. and at that time it was surrounded by water on three of its sides. The side that was not protected by water had a wall made from stone and wood. Some remains from the wall can be found at the historical site. Along with the remains of the wall, remains of a few structures are also located in the site. On the north side of the hillfort there are some burial cairns from the same time period.

"Borgboda Hillfort, Saltvik, Finland." SpottingHistory.com. Spotting History, n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

Luistari burial ground

(500-1500 C.E.)

The Luistari burial site is the largest iron age burial site in Finland. The site was actually inhabited during the bronze age but the remains of which have been destroyed by the construction of the burial ground. Archaeologists believe that burials were made between the years of 500 and 1200 C.E. Excavations have uncovered over 1300 grave at the historical site. Archeologists also found clothing, weapons, and jewellery. All the remains have since been removed from the site and it is now an archaeological park.

Lezingen. "Extremely Rare 'twisted Penannular' Viking Brooch Set." Extremely Rare 'twisted Penannular' Viking Brooch Set. Blog Archive, 4 Apr. 2017. Web. 01 May 2017.

Primary and Secondary Sources

Finnish Swordsman Found Buried

(1200 C.E.)

This amazing piece of history was found in a field in Janakkala Finland. A Finnish swordsman was found buried with two swords. The swordsman was dated back to roughly 1200 C.E. It is suspected that he was buried with his swords to better equip him for the afterlife. The swords seem to indicate that the body was cremated before it was buried. The larger of the two swords was one of the largest swords found in Finland.

Bennett-Smith, Meredith. "Ancient Finnish Swordsman Found Buried With Two Huge Blades (PHOTOS)." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 19 Nov. 2013. Web. 02 May 2017.

TURKU CASTLE

(1280 C.E.)

This historical Finnish structure is located in Turku Finland. The Turku Castle is one of the largest remaining castles in Scandinavia. The castle was built around the year 1280 C.E. and it was built by the Swedish. The castle was originally intended to only be a military fortification but housing was later added to the castle. The castle is still standing today and has been converted into a museum.

"Turku Castle, Turku, Finland." SpottingHistory.com. Spotting History, n.d. Web. 02 May 2017.

Conclusion:

Prior to the 13th century various outside cultures played a role in developing Finnish culture. Specifically, they provided Finland with evolving agricultural practices, rock paintings, totems, iron production, importing, excavating for gold, expanding land cultivation inland, developing swords and weapons, establishing customs regarding burials, jewelry, and becoming active agents in trade.

Finland, like many countries, has evolved culturally throughout human history. Some insight I gained while completing this project was the resilience of Finnish people to maintain their culture throughout numerous instances of domination by outside forces including Sweden and Russia. A challenging aspect with collected material about Finland for 3500 BCE and 1300 CE is that very little contextual understanding exists. The history of the country and its culture did not seem to truly begin closely being documented until the Swedish reign in the middle of the 13th century. However, the time leading up to the 13th century appears to have been when Finland established cultural norms, traditions, and customs adapted and influenced from previous encounters with passing cultures.