Archaeologists have unearthed what is believed to be a 6,500-year-old Stone Age cemetery known as Tainiaro, just 50 miles south of the Arctic Circle in the Finnish region of Lapland.

Credit: PH๏τograph by Tuija Laurén; Finnish Heritage Agency; Antiquity Publications Ltd

The prehistoric site, first identified in 1959 and partially excavated in the 1980s, is situated in the expansive boreal forest near Bothnian Bay, offering insights that challenge preconceptions about ancient cultures in far northern Europe.

Despite the harsh environmental conditions, the Tainiaro site, if confirmed as a Stone Age cemetery, could reshape our understanding of the history of Northern Europe, becoming the world’s northernmost known graveyard from that era.

The discovery has prompted researchers to reconsider the significance of the north as a core area of importance in its own right, challenging the notion that less interesting activities occurred in more remote regions.

These might be the remains of burial pits from the site. Credit: PH๏τograph by Tuija Laurén and Aki Arponen; Finnish Heritage Agency; Antiquity Publications Ltd

Aki Hakonen, an archaeologist with the University of Oulu in Finland and leader of the team, emphasized the surprising nature of the find. He told Newsweek: “We expect to find less interesting stuff going on the farther north we go. But the north is a magical place, and it holds many surprises—Tainiaro being just one of them.”

The Tainiaro site, initially discovered by local workers extracting sand, underwent partial excavations in the 1980s, revealing thousands of artifacts, including pottery, stone tools, and animal bones. While 127 possible pits were identified, the acidic soil of the region resulted in the rapid decay of skeletal material, leaving the identification of Tainiaro as a cemetery inconclusive.

Recent reanalysis and new fieldwork, including test excavations and surveys, have shed new light on the site. Researchers reviewed the evidence, comparing the pits’ contents and sizes to those in 14 other Stone Age cemeteries across Northern Europe. This comparative analysis led them to conclude that at least 44 of the pits could have housed human burials. The distinctive rounded-edge rectangular shapes, red ochre traces, and occasional artifacts present in the pits support the interpretation of Tainiaro as one of the largest Stone Age cemeteries in northern Europe.

Archaeologist Aki Hakonen explained, “Tainiaro is one of the largest Stone Age cemeteries in northern Europe and raises questions about the cultural and subsistence practices of prehistoric societies in the subarctic.” The team also believes that the region’s Early Comb Ware ceramic culture inhabited the area at the time, engaging in both burial practices and other activities, such as fire-making and crafting stone objects.

Archaeologists excavating at the site in Tainiaro forest, Finland. Credit: Aki Hakonen/Antiquity Publications Ltd

Despite excavating only one-fifth of Tainiaro, the researchers estimate that the total number of graves could surpᴀss 200, challenging previous ᴀssumptions about the size and complexity of burial grounds in such high-laтιтude areas during the Stone Age.

The significance of the find extends beyond burial practices, hinting at the existence of large-scale, complex societies in the region, despite the challenging environmental conditions. Aki Hakonen urged a reorientation of archaeological perspectives, stating, “If archaeology reorients itself to consider the north not as a periphery but as a core place of importance in its own right, we would gain access to a much more thorough understanding of humanity’s past.”

The pits found in previous excavation. Credit: Aki Hakonen/Antiquity Publications Ltd

The researchers acknowledge the elusive nature of evidence at Tainiaro due to the acidic soil, making it challenging to retrieve human remains. However, they are optimistic about the potential use of ground-penetrating radar to uncover additional pits without disturbing the site. They also consider the possibility of discovering human skeletons, particularly if graves were covered in red ochre, which can preserve organic remains.

The Tainiaro discovery prompts further questions about the cultural practices and subsistence strategies of prehistoric societies near the Arctic Circle. As research continues and technology advances, Tainiaro stands as a testament to the rich history and surprises hidden in the far reaches of Northern Europe.

More information: Hakonen, A., Perälä, N., Vaneeckhout, S., Laurén, T., & Okkonen, J. (2023). A large fifth-millennium BC cemetery in the subarctic north of the Baltic Sea? Antiquity, 97(396), 1402-1419. doi:10.15184/aqy.2023.160