Mysterious Prehistoric Sites of Finland
There is no written history of Finland before the late Middle Ages. However, this northern land was ruled by local landlords. These ancient sites are the traces and remains of past generations. They tell about life, habitation, communications, trades and occupations, religion and the burial of the dead in the past.
1. Sammallahdenmäki
Sammallahdenmäki is a Bronze age burial site including 36 granite burial cairns dating back more than 3000 years, from 1500 to 500 BC. Sammallahdenmäki is an exceptionally valuable example of Finland’s Bronze Age culture because it presents the ancient monuments in a well-preserved natural milieu. It’s designated as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.Two of the most spectacular cairns are the quadrangular "Chuch Floor" and the dike-like "Long Ruin of Huilu". A typical feature of the Sammallahdenmäki cairns are the stone cists, boxlike structures formed by stone f ...
2. Hakoinen Castle
Hakoinen Castle was an ancient hill fortification, but nowadays there's only some ruins left. Dated medieval, the fortification was situated on a very steep rock by lake Kernaala (Kernaalanjärvi) reminiscent of a hill fort tradition. The top of the rock is 63 meters above the water level in the lake. Today very little remains of the castle. Equally little is known about its origins. One postulation is that it was built by the Swedes as their original stronghold in the medieval Häme area.The castle was probably built at the end of the 13th century or during the early 14th century. ...
3. Ukonkivi
Photo from Flickr, copyright Juha Posio
Ukonkivi is a small island in the Inarijärvi lake. It has been a well-known sacrifice place ("seita") for the Samish people for centuries. There are several caves where local people used to bring gifts to Ukko, the god of thunder. Archaeologists have found remains of the reindeer bones, jewelleries and money from the island.You can reach the Ukonkivi island by water bus from Inari in summer season.
4. Susiluola (Wolf Cave)
Photo from Flickr, copyright Janne A. Heinonen
Susiluola (Wolf Cave) is a crack in the Pyhävuori mountain. The upper part of the crack has been packed with soil, forming a cave. In 1996, some objects were found in the cave that brought about speculations that it could have been inhabited in the Paleolithic, 120,000 to 130,000 years ago. These objects, if authentic, would be the only known Neanderthal artifacts in the Nordic countries. However, there is disagreement as to whether Neanderthals actually settled in the cave.Archaeologist have found about 200 artifacts, some 600 pieces of strike waste, scrapers and bolt stone, and heated s ...
5. Rikalanmäki
Rikalanmäki was one of the most remarkable Bronze and Iron Age towns in Finland. According legends, It was a very wealthy trading centre. The heyday of Rikalanmäki was in 11th and 12th centuries when Vikings and foreign merchants exchanged metals and weapons to fur from inner Finland. There are evidences of indirect trade connections even to the Arabic countries. According the legend Birger Jarl landed to the Rikala harbor to start the second crusade to Finland.Archeologists have found several remarkable treasures from the ancient cemetery in Rikalanmäki including swords, person ...
6. Astuvansalmi Rock Paintings
The 65 rock paintings of Astuvansalmi are the largest found in the whole of Scandinavia. The oldest paintings are made 3000 - 2500 BC. They are located at the highest level (about 11 metres). The water level changed very fast about 2,5 metres with the landslide of Vuoksi. Later on the level slowly went down 8 metres to its present level. All the later paintings have been made from boats during the different historical water-levels. The form is clearly visible during wintertime while viewed from the ice of the lake.The Astuvansalmi rock paintings contain the following pictures: 18-20 elk, about ...
7. Kuninkaanhauta
Kuninkaanhauta ("King's Grave") is the largest Bronze Age cairn in Finland. The stone huddle is 36x30 meters wide and four meters high. According the legend a local king or chief is buried to the cairn. It's quite probable several burials are made to Kuninkaanhauta during decades or centuries and it's expanded little by little. There has been no actual archaeological investigations on the site, but some remains of the Bronze Age place of residence have been found.
8. Stone Age Ruin of Kastelli
Photo from Flickr, copyright Janne A. Heinonen
So-called Jätinkirkko (“the giant’s church”) of Kastelli is a rectangular stone rampart measuring 36 x 62 meters. It dates back to the Stone Age and is one of the most significant ancient structures in Finland. The fort was probably built between 2700-2200 B.C like most of the stone constructions in northern Botnia.The structure is located at top of the hill. The rampart, which is two meters high in its present state, has six gateways. In the environs are more than twenty rock cairns, a representative group of ten trapping holes and a stone age dwelling site lower on the ...
9. Värikallio Rock Paintings
The Hossa Värikallio rock paintings are amongst the largest prehistoric rock paintings in Finland. The pictures on the rock wall rising from Lake Somerjärvi were painted in the Stone Age, i.e. about 3,500 - 4,500 years ago.Paintings were painted from a boat or when standing on the ice of the lake. On the surface of the rock wall there are 61 separate figures depicting scenes of hunting and shamanic rituals. The paintings have probably been used for marking a route or describing events.Värikallio is accessible all year round. In summer there is a trail leading to the paintings, a ...
10. Rapola Hill Fort
The hill fort in Rapola Ridge the largest ancient fort in Finland. As is the case with most hill forts in the Baltic area not much is known about its exact origins or purposes. One postulation is that it was built by the inhabitants in their struggles against invading Novgorodians and Swedes. According to excavations, the fort seems to have been in operation at least during the 13th and 15th centuries. Parts of it may be even earlier, since the area has been inhabited already in the 7th century. The medieval Sääksmäki church is located nearby, and the oldest signs of farming in ...
11. Sulkava Hill Fort
Photo from Flickr, copyright Petsku on Flickr
The hill fort is located to the rock hill with high cliffs in Pisamalahti. The hill fort rises about 55 meters above Enovesi lake.First record of the fort dates back to the year 1561, but it was probably built in the Iron or Middle Ages. According one hypothesis it was built by Carelian people against conquerors from Tavastia (Häme) historical province. There is a 120 meters long and 2-3 meters high stone wall on the top of the hill.Pisamalahti hill fort is one of the most valuable ancient fortresses in Finland. The hill and the surrounding lake landscape are popular tourist attraction in ...
12. Levänluhta
Levänluhta is a swampy source known for mysterious prehistoric findings. According archaeological excavations about hundred people have been buried to the former lake of Levänluhta in the Iron Age. Archaeologists have also found several remains of bronze and silver jewelry and tools.There are remains of buried children, elderly and animals of different ages. The human bones of Levänluhta are dated to the 300-700's. They are historically thought to be sacrificed human victims, but the site can also be an ancient cemetery for people died of starvation or diseases.