Archaeology

The archaeology research group consists of scholars from the Department of Archaeology at the University of Tartu, whose research spans all stages of Estonia’s settlement history—from the Stone Age to the modern era—and, especially for earlier periods, extends well beyond Estonia’s borders. The group’s aim is to clarify the formation of the Estonian people and population through interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing on archaeological source material. This material is analyzed in the context of landscape geography and natural conditions. A central research question is the formation of Estonia’s prehistoric counties, as well as the reflection of regional characteristics, identities, and their dynamics in archaeological evidence.

The primary higher-level regional identity units within Estonia at the end of prehistory were the prehistoric counties—referred to as “lands” or “provinces” in Henry of Latvia’s chronicle. Since these identities were clearly perceptible to outside observers in the early 13th century—otherwise they would not be so distinctly reflected in written sources—their existence and differences should also be evident in the archaeological record.

Members of the research group

Valter Lang, University of Tartu

Aivar Kriiska, University of Tartu

Riina Rammo, University of Tartu

Ragnar Saage, University of Tartu

Pikne Kama

Martin Malve

Linda Vilumets

Maris Niinesalu-Moon

Maria Smirnova