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Hidden and Remote: New Perspectives on the People in the Levänluhta Water Burial, Western Finland (c.ad 300–800)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 December 2017

Anna Wessman ,
Teija Alenius ,
Elisabeth Holmqvist ,
Kristiina Mannermaa ,
Wesa Perttola ,
Tarja Sundell  and
Santeri Vanhanen
Anna Wessman
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy, History, Culture and Art Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland
Teija Alenius
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy, History, Culture and Art Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland
Elisabeth Holmqvist
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy, History, Culture and Art Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland
Kristiina Mannermaa
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy, History, Culture and Art Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland
Wesa Perttola
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy, History, Culture and Art Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland
Tarja Sundell
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy, History, Culture and Art Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland
Santeri Vanhanen
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy, History, Culture and Art Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland
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Abstract

The wetland find in Levänluhta (western Finland) consists of unburnt, mixed up remains from almost 100 human individuals along with artefacts and animal bones. This spring site, a small lake at the time of use (ad 300–800), has been investigated archaeologically from the late nineteenth century onwards. An impressive array of finds, including precious artefacts, is on display at the National Museum of Finland. However, the material has not previously been subjected to systematic research to clarify who these people were, and why they were buried in a small lake at a time when cremation was the prevailing burial tradition. Here we present the results of a multidisciplinary study that includes new analyses and interpretations of the finds and the site. Prestigious artefacts, peripheral location, and the fact that only a few males were found suggest this unusual burial site was a cemetery for socially or ideologically deviant members of the society.

Le site aquatique de de Levänluhta en Finlande occidentale contient les restes entremêlés de presque 100 personnes non incinérées ainsi que du mobilier et des ossements d'animaux. Ce site de source, un petit lac l’époque de son utilisation entre environ 300 et 800 apr. J.-C., a été fouillé à plusieurs reprises à partir du IXe siècle. Une série impressionnante de trouvailles, comprenant des objets précieux, est exposée au Musée National de Finlande. Mais ce mobilier n'a jamais fait l'objet d'une étude systématique visant à déterminer la nature des occupants di site, et pourquoi ils avaient été ensevelis dans un petit lac à une époque où l'incinération était d'usage. Ici nous présentons les résultats d'une étude multidisciplinaire qui comprend de nouvelles analyses et interprétations du site et de son mobilier. Ses objets prestigieux, sa position périphérique et le fait que fort peu d'individus masculins ont été retrouvés semblent indiquer que ce site inhabituel était une nécropole abritant des individus en marge de leur société. Translation by Madeleine Hummler

Die Feuchtlandstätte von Levänluhta im Westen von Finnland enthält die gemischten Überresten von knapp 100 Individuen sowie Artefakte und Tierknochen. Vom späten neunzehnten Jahrhundert ab haben mehrere archäologische Untersuchungen auf dieser Stätte (eine Quelle, die während der Benutzungszeit der Nekropole zwischen 300 und 800 n. Chr. einen kleinen See bildete) stattgefunden. Eine eindrucksvolle Serie von Funden, darunter wertvolle Gegenstände, ist im Nationalmuseum von Finnland ausgestellt. Aber man hat noch nie eine systematische Untersuchung des Befundes unternommen, die verdeutlichen könnte, wer dort begraben wurde und warum diese Leute in einem kleinen See bestattet wurden, wann die dann normale Bestattungssitte die Leichenverbrennung war. Hier legen wir die Ergebnisse einer multidisziplinären Untersuchung vor; sie enthält neue Analysen und Deutungen der Funde und des Befundes. Die wertvollen Gegenstände, die Randlage und die Tatsache, dass man nur sehr wenige Männer gefunden hat, weisen darauf hin, dass diese ungewöhnliche Grabstätte wahrscheinlich für gesellschaftliche Außenseiter bestimmt war. Translation by Madeleine Hummler

Keywords

burial practicewater burialpollen analysisartefact analysisIron Agepratiques funérairessépulture en milieu aquatiqueanalyse polliniqueanalyse du mobilierâge du FerGrabsittenWasserbestattungenPollenanalyseArtefaktanalyseEisenzeit
Type
Article
Information
European Journal of Archaeology , Volume 21 , Issue 3 , August 2018 , pp. 431 - 454
Copyright
Copyright © European Association of Archaeologists 2017 

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