Archaeology (in the Department of Philosophy, History, Culture and Art Studies) (ARCH-HU)

PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:
The acronym ARCH-HU is applied for archaeology, a major subject in the Department of Philosophy, History, Culture and Art Studies. The RC includes 1) the teaching and research of archaeology on BA, MA and PhD levels and 2) a number of research projects. The research is done in the framework of temporary projects that apply for funding from outside the University. The mission of the RC is twofold 1) multi-disciplinary research of past material culture and human beings and 2) international participation in the search for empiric archaeological materials and theoretical analysis . During the period 2005-2010 both of these aspects were strongly developed, partly in cooperation with biosciences, geosciences, engineering sciences, linguistics, history disciplines, and classical archaeology. ARCH-HU conducted research periods as varied as the Palaeolithic in Jordan, the Mesolithic and Neolithic Stone Age in Finland and neighboring areas, the Metal Ages, the Medieval and post-Medieval times, and modern history up to the II World War. ARCH-HU has a global perspective. Affiliated researchers worked in Scandinavia, NW Russia, Siberia, the Near East, the Mediterranean area, East Africa, Bolivia, and Canada. Preliminary and final results of research are regularly published in international peer-reviewed periodicals and as monographs, mainly in English. New methodological openings were made in 2005–2010. One of the focus areas is archaeological prospecting and documentation with new and sophisticated equipments. ARCH-HU does not aim at one single break-through that would tie most of the affiliated researchers and give the RC a sharp but narrow scientific profile. We support the many-sidedness of archaeology and its methodological variability both nationally and in international contexts. The RC carries social responsibility for spreading knowledge of prehistory, early history and archaeological methods to the public. This is done via the Open University, Helsinki Summer University, and publishing of textbooks. ARCH-HU represents the Univ. of Helsinki in negotiations whenever the general conditions of archaeological research and antiquarian work are discussed in Finland.

Responsible person: Mika Lavento, Archaeology

Participation category: 3