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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

The human being as a part of nature

My own research material is connected to the Bronze and Early Metal Age. The material is constantly increasing, significantly affecting our conceptions of the past. I have conducted field work at Bronze and Early Metal Age sites in Finland, Russia and the Baltic countries and have studied artefacts using a variety of methods. The approaches can be both science- and humanities-based, and the knowledge acquired with their help is used as the starting point for understanding human communities.

The natural environment has constantly changed and people have been forced to adapt. Human beings, for their part, have themselves changed the natural environment, and in recent times environmental change has been increasingly driven by humans. Investigating past ages nevertheless requires an understanding of both cultural perspectives and changes in the natural environment.

Archaeology combines many disciplines, and for this reason it is rapidly developing in terms of methodology. For example, we have produced new knowledge through archaeological lipid analysis, which is performed by studying fatty residues left on pottery. With the help of this research, we have been able to demonstrate that in Finland animal husbandry already began during the time of the Corded Ware Culture, around 4500 years ago.

Reindeer belonging to the Evenki people of Ust’Nechera on the Zhuja River, East Siberia. Photo: Mika Lavento 2007.

 

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