Other artefacts were found in Janakkala, and according to the preliminary survey, there was an extensive cremation ground cemetery. No new studies are yet planned due to the limited resources of the National Museum Agency.
Forestry work in Janakkala revealed a sword from the Viking age, which led archeology enthusiasts and archaeologists to the edge of a large cremation cemetery.
– They asked what to do now, when a whole sword was found in the forestry work. Of course I got excited. I asked if I could come and see the sword and visit the discovery site to see if there might be something else there, Hyvönen describes.
Other items from the Viking Age
Reijo Hyvönen noticed right away that it was a Viking sword. A small survey at the site also revealed a Viking-era spearhead and a piece of a Viking-era ax hammer. The Viking Age was between 780 and 1050 AD. Hyvönen predicts that the sword found now would probably be from 1000-1100 AD.
– They made four test pits and they found fine Viking-era objects. Hyvönen lists, among other things, cup buckles, a series bracelet, a spiral ring, a lever chain, burnt bone and ceramics.
Extensive cremation field cemetery
The trial excavation team and Reijo Hyvönen are delighted with the discovery. Based on preliminary mapping, it is a large cremation field cemetery. It shows that a thousand years ago there was a large settlement and a lot of activity in Janakkala.
– There are probably not many such large areas in Kanta-Hämee, where, at least based on the (metal detector) signal, there is this much stuff, says Hyvönen.
The site of the discovery is partially destroyed in an archaeological sense, because the soil in the area has been stained in connection with forestry work, regrets Hyvönen.
A protective area was demarcated around the discovery site, but there are apparently no plans to conduct new research in this area due to the limited resources of the Finnish Museum Agency.
Searchers of Kanta-Häme’s past have made numerous significant discoveries in the past. However, it has been a bit quieter in recent years.
A sign of prosperity and the will to defend
In the fall of 2013, a grave was found in Janakkala, which included two swords and other artifacts. The older sword dates back to the Viking era and the newer sword to the Crusader era. The deceased died around 1300.
The finding of swords shows that the area was prosperous. In addition, it tells about Häme’s warlike past and, on the other hand, also about the will to defend, describes Reijo Hyvönen.
– An ordinary warrior’s weapons were usually spears or axes. The swords show that here there has been a readiness to defend one’s own residences. Foreigners have not gotten here easily. Home villains have been ready to fight.