Perspectives on Differences in Rock Art - Jan Magne Gjerde

Perspectives on Differences in Rock Art - Jan Magne Gjerde

Evidence for Animal Sacrifices in Front of the Rock Painting of Kotojärvi, Southeastern Finland

Perspectives on Differences in Rock Art - Jan Magne Gjerde

Antti Lahelma [+-]
University of Helsinki
Antti Lahelma is a senior lecturer in archaeology at the Department of Cultures, University of Helsinki, Finland. His core expertise lies in the study of prehistoric identity, cultural production, and worldview particularly in the northern circumpolar area - topics that are also covered in his recent book titled 'Northern Archaeology and Cosmology: a Relational View' (Routledge, 2019) written together with Vesa-Pekka Herva.

Description

In 2011, an underwater excavation took place in front of the rock painting site of Kotojärvi in south-east Finland. The excavation, arranged by the author, yielded well-preserved unburnt bones belonging to elk and various bird species, dating to the Early Metal Period, between ca. 1800 cal. BC and ca. 700 cal. BC. They are believed to be broadly contemporary with the rock paintings, and are therefore likely to relate to ritual activities carried out at the site. Indeed, the animal species and body parts found include fragments of elk skulls and the bones of diving birds, which reflect the cosmological ideas of ancient Finno-Ugric and circumpolar peoples. The excavation is discussed in detail in this chapter. It has, in spite of technical difficulties and the issue of modern site disturbance, shone new light on the nature and dating of the Kotojärvi finds, which remain unique in Northern Europe.

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Citation

Lahelma, Antti. Evidence for Animal Sacrifices in Front of the Rock Painting of Kotojärvi, Southeastern Finland. Perspectives on Differences in Rock Art. Equinox eBooks Publishing, United Kingdom. p. 175-192 Apr 2021. ISBN 9781781795606. https://www.equinoxpub.com/home/view-chapter/?id=31920. Date accessed: 09 Dec 2024 doi: 10.1558/equinox.31920. Apr 2021

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