Professor Mika Lavento elsewhere on the Internet

My own discipline, archaeology, has been in the media spotlight in various ways, and it clearly interests the general public. In practice, every archaeological dig is reported in one way or another. Archaeologists themselves have influenced reporting by describing the methods and findings of digs. In additions, journalists may have their own ideas which they want to use.

Reporters often request my help by asking about some matter in the past, or they need an appropriate expert to interview. I might be presented with a question about Finnish history or the use of limonite in the early production of iron. A radio interview last summer dealt with the arrival of Finns to Finland. The most recent description of my research was a report on the burial of human remains exhumed at a dig in Huhtiniemi in 2006.

By Written by Mika Lavento (Kaija Hartikainen ed), translated by Matthew Billington

Mika Lavento

Born March 29, 1962, Kajaani

Master of Arts 1989, Licentiate 1997, PhD 2001
Docent in archaeology 2001, University of Helsinki

Professor of archaeology 2004–, University of Helsinki
Senior research fellow 2008–09 Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
University lecturer 2001–03, University of Helsinki
Research associate 1991–2001, University of Helsinki
Field researcher 1986–91, Finland's National Board of Antiquities

Publications, research projects and other academic activity
Research themes:
The Bronze Age, the late Neolithic Stone Age, geoarchaeology, archaeological inventory

Positions of responsibility, awards and special achievements:
Member of the Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters 2012–
President of the Finnish Antiquarian Society 2010–
President of the Archaeological Society of Finland 1999–2002

Photo: Mika Federley
Written by Mika Lavento (Kaija Hartikainen ed.)
Translated by Matthew Billington