Cooperation with Archaeologists

Dr Virtanen has been part of a Finnish-Brazilian research group that is researching “geoglyphs” that have been found carved into the land in western Brazil. In 2015, they were among the World Heritage List Nominations. The discovery of a more than 2000-year-old civilization which constructed geoglyphs and road networks will change our understanding of the Amazon region. The research project mainly includes Finnish and Brazilian archaeologists, students and a handful of foreign scientists.

Virtanen has attempted to investigate the large ceremonial grounds left by these indigenous peoples and their lost lifestyles and thinking on the basis of oral tradition and modern ethnography. Although a significant length of time has elapsed since the construction of the sites, work with modern day indigenous peoples has already provided important insights for understanding their meaning.

By Written by Pirjo Kristiina Virtanen (Tomas Sjöblom ed.), translated by Matthew Billington

Pirjo Kristiina Virtanen

Born January 5, 1975

PhD 2007 (Latin American research), docent 2013, University of Helsinki
Master of Arts 2000 (religious studies/philosophy) University of Turku

Researcher 2007–15, Academy of Finland, University of Helsinki
Post graduate 2003-07, University of Helsinki
Project trainee 2002, International Organization for Migration, Lisbon
Administrative assistant 2000-02, Brazilian Embassy in Helsinki

Research Themes:
Indigenous peoples, Brazil, the social philosophies and epistemologies of Amazonian indigenous peoples, post-humanism, indigenous people policy and ethno-history.

Publications, research projects and other academic activity

Awards and achievements
Numerous research grants from, inter alia, the Kone Foundation 2008, Bourse Legs Lelong (CNRS/France) 2008, the Sariola Foundation 2006, University of Helsinki’s SYLFF fund 2006, the Finnish Concordia Fund 2004, the Finnish Cultural Foundation 2003

Photo: Mika Federley
Written by Pirjo Kristiina Virtanen (Tomas Sjöblom, ed.)
Translated by Matthew Billington