Ongoing archaeological research projects

The Stone Age settlement in Jokiniemi, Vantaa was one of the largest group of dwellings in the Neolithic Period in Finland (3900-3300 B.C.). Archaeologist Jan Fast has arranged public archaeology excavations in the area in collaboration with the Finnish Science Centre, Heureka in the years 1990-1994 and 2014.

The Jokiniemi settlement has gained particular attention for the clay figures in the shape of human faces and animals, which have been discovered in the area. The public archaeology excavations will continue June 22 – July 19, 2015. Anyone is welcome to join the project and no previous experience in archaeology is required. Further information (in Finnish) on the Heureka excavations in Jokiniemi, Vantaa in the summer of 2015, is available here.

The German Camp (“Deutsches Lager Hanko”) in Tulliniemi, Hanko served as a transition and recreation camp for German soldiers during the Second World War. The camp was built to accommodate almost four thousand soldiers. The current research project documents the surviving parts of the camp, and conducts archaeological excavations, for example, at the camp where Ukrainian prisoners of war were kept. The project combines archaeological research with social and war history. It is a part of the larger conflict archaeological research project Hankoniemi sotatoimi- ja varuskunta-alueena 1940-1945 ('Hankoniemi as a garrison and war zone in 1940-1945').

The archaeological excavation is also open to anyone interested in war history. It will take place in late May or early June, 2015. For more information, see Jan Fast's blog and Facebook page.

Excavations and courses for archaeology enthusiasts and schoolchildren are an important part of Jan Fast's fieldwork season in 2015, as well. For more information and updates on these projects, see: http://janfast.blogspot.fi/

Kemiö Telegrafberget Crimean War era optical telegraph station research project. Archaeological fieldwork course arranged by the Kemiö Adult Education Institute. If you are interested in this project, sign up here.

The Raasepori Långåmossarna Stone Age habitat archaeological dig - a camp in collaboration with the Raasepori Scouts. There will also be a course available for detectorists in Raasepori.

Archaeologist Jan Fast's public lectures in spring 2015

Showcase of archaeological fieldwork in summer 2015 in the Finnish National Museum auditorium, Friday February 13, 2015, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Jan Fast talks about the Finnish Science Centre Heureka's archaeological excavations in Jokiniemi, Vantaa at the beginning of the event.
"Deutsches Lager Hanko" ('Hanko German Camp') in Hanko City Hall's green room March 11, 2015, 6:00-7:30 pm
"Heurekan kaivaukset Vantaan Jokiniemessä" ('Heureka excavations in Jokiniemi, Vantaa') at the Myyrmäki Library, Vantaa, March 25, 2015, 6:00 pm.

By Written by Jan Fast. Translated by Johanna Spoof. Revised by John Calton.

Jan Fast

Born June 24, 1962, Helsinki

MA 2013 (archaeology), University of Helsinki

1997–2014 Public archaeology excavation projects, exhibitions, lecturing, teaching
1990–1997 Heureka Science Park
1986–1990 Archaeological fieldwork for Finland's National Board of Antiquities

Research areas: prehistoric Finland, conflict archaeology of World War II in Finland

Publications: Several articles on archaeology for upper secondary school history textbooks as well as various publications and papers. Autobiography “I arkeologens fotspår” ('In the footsteps of an archaeologist ') to be published in 2016.

Important research projects: The Stone Age habitat in Jokiniemi, Vantaa and “Deutsches Lager Hanko 1942–1944” ('Hanko German camp') as a part of a larger conflict archaeology research project “Hankoniemi varuskunta- ja sotatoimialueena 1940–1945” ('Hankoniemi as a garrison and military zone, 1940–1945').

Written by Jan Fast and Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta (ed.)
Translated by John Calton