Bonded by Pieces: Fragments as means of affirming kinship in Iron Age Finland

In previous Finnish research, many features of funeral rituals have been linked to ancestor cults and honouring or remembering past generations. However, the topic has not been examined from the perspective of kinship. This chapter discusses how the concept of kinship may have been constructed in this period. Instead of blood ties, it likely formed around shared residences, livelihoods, and daily life – aspects that shaped the sense of belonging together. As daily activities tend to take place in specific places, kinship was understood not only as a close connection between certain humans but also between humans and places. Cemeteries were integral places where kinship ties could be created and maintained. This chapter suggests that these ties were made by breaking objects and human remains. The resulting fragments could then be shared between kin and handled in various ways in places that were considered relevant for creating connections.