What do punk rock, fishing and archaeology have in common?

It may surprise you to know that punk rock, fishing and archaeology have a lot in common. Punk rock made me believe in myself in 1977. Punk also made me believe that I don't have to do what others expect me to do, that I can do what I want, and that you have to follow your heart.

The rock band experiments of my youth gave me experience in performing, as well as the desire and courage to perform. The time I spent at Heureka refined those skills, and I still look forward to each performance.

Aside from archaeology, fishing was my greatest childhood passion. Archaeology is a lot like fishing: you never know what you will get or find. Fishing taught me patience, which has been useful.

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