Abstract This article examines Late Bronze and Early Iron Age settlement in the Åland Islands in the Baltic Sea, with particular focus on recently discovered dwelling remains, superimposed by a stone cairn, at the multiperiod site of Bartsgårda. To place this discovery in context, we discuss Ålandic settlement sites with preserved building remains and present new radiocarbon dates from several sites. We also investigate how building structures on Åland compare with those on the mainland of Finland. The results demonstrate that Ålandic houses cannot be understood as a single architectural model but instead reflect diverse construction techniques shaped by local resources, environmental conditions, and social choices. The Bartsgårda remains further reveal how domestic architecture could intersect with practices of commemoration, as abandonment was marked through monumentalisation.
Abstract This study presents promising new steps toward identifying the individual craftsperson in the archaeological record. Using experimental material, the authors have measured morphological differences in Late Neolithic flint daggers from southern Scandinavia using 3D morphometrics. The results show that it is possible to identify a single maker among highly similar flint tools of high technological complexity using quantitative methods. With further methodological developments and a larger study, the authors hypothesise about the possibility of tracing individual makers in the archaeological record. The study presents key aspects in developing a methodology for the quantitative identification of individual makers of lithics that require a high degree of technological complexity to produce. The further development and application of this methodology has the potential to introduce a new dimension to the material study of prehistoric societies by shedding light on individual agents and their social connections.
Abstract The network of Kyivan Rus’ trading posts played a pivotal role in facilitating travel along the eastern trade routes, linking diverse regions. For Scandinavian groups, river-connected sites served as key entry points into broader trade and migration networks. This article reassesses Scandinavian activity in the region by focusing on a specific type of settlement found across the landscape: 10th–12th-century hillforts with evidence of Scandinavian presence. It explores whether these sites represent a unified phenomenon or merely share certain characteristics. The analysis centres on artefacts of Scandinavian origin – or local imitations of such items – as tangible indicators of Norse activity. For analytical clarity, the hillforts are divided into three regional groups: Western, Dnipro, and Desna. The article investigates the physical characteristics of these sites, the information the artefacts can reveal about the societies that used them, and the similarities and differences among the three groups. Drawing on published archaeological reports and digital archives, this study offers new insights into the form and scale of Scandinavian presence in the region, situating it within the broader context of Viking Age activity.
Abstract The wide-ranging activities of one of the most enduring archaeological expeditions in western Ukraine are presented. Remarkably, field archaeology has proven capable of uniting like-minded individuals and serving the public good, even during wartime. Many of the events unfolded spontaneously, demonstrating that archaeology is far more than an academic pursuit confined to armchair scholarship; it can also play vital social roles. Volunteers, including enthusiasts of ancient history and former military personnel, participated in excavations. Students from various universities received hands-on professional training. Guided tours were organised for both children and adult visitors directly at the excavation sites. Public lectures were delivered to internally displaced people, and an archaeological exhibition showcased the results of the 2023 field campaign. Outreach efforts included media coverage, ongoing work in archaeological reserves, and actions to safeguard cultural heritage. Field seminars were held, and international cooperation was sustained. Perhaps by coincidence, it was during this difficult time of war that some of the expedition’s most significant scholarly discoveries to date were made.
Abstract The article examines the range of cultural heritage offences, including recognised crimes and examples of unethical behaviour perpetrated by Russian actors against Ukrainian cultural heritage. Leveraging the analytical and monitoring work performed by Ukrainian archaeologists, it endeavours to take a step forward to a more complex understanding of Russian attitudes towards Ukrainian cultural heritage and takes a closer look at the specific types of actors and settings where offences were made. After discussing various types and examples of cultural heritage offences, the article summarises them from the perspective of colonial theory to reveal the Russian colonial attitude towards Ukrainian heritage. It claims that the totality of Russian offences against Ukrainian cultural heritage is brought by a systematic imperialistic strive to erase Ukrainian identity and that such actions are a normalised practice for Russian institutions and individuals.
