Papers by Sonja Hukantaival
Medieval Archaeology, 2023
DURING ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS at the site of Kärsämäki manor garden in Turku, SW Finland, the... more DURING ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS at the site of Kärsämäki manor garden in Turku, SW Finland, the team found clusters of oblong pits resembling human graves in an area between the manor and a late-medieval village. No human remains were recovered from these pits; instead, some of them contained bones of domestic animals (cattle, horse and pig). The radiocarbon dates of the animal bones placed them roughly in the 15th century. This paper analyses the Kärsämäki faunal material using a taphonomical and contextual approach. The questions for which answers have been attempted concern the nature of the site and the interpretation of the animal deposits. The results suggest the presence of selected animal parts in certain pit features was a result of deliberate placement. Deposition of animal remains into grave-like pits have been recorded at other late-medieval sites in Finland, but the bones themselves have not been radiocarbon dated. The Kärsämäki site seems to be a location for different types of ritual activities involving animal remains.
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Folklore: Electronic Journal of Folklore, 2023
This paper discusses objects connected with folk magic and medicine found in museum collections i... more This paper discusses objects connected with folk magic and medicine found in museum collections in Estonia and Finland. Our perspective is comparative as we compare these collections to other sources and to each other. The focus is on what kind of objects are found in the museum collections and how these differ between the two countries. We also explore how these materials have been acquired and collated. While we see general similarities between the magic objects in the two countries, there are also notable differences: remains of bears stand out in the Finnish collections while fossils are common in the Estonian ones. Although these observations may reflect a true difference in magic traditions, there are still potential sources of bias in the collections. Even though the museum collections in both countries were formed with romantic national overtones, the interests of individual collectors and curators influenced them in various ways.
Material Religion, 2023
The meaning of objects is often observed through how they are useful to humans or what kind of sy... more The meaning of objects is often observed through how they are useful to humans or what kind of symbolism people attach to them. Thus, human subjects dominate material objects. However, the matter can be approached differently. This article has two aims: First, it discusses evidence of the interaction between humans and objects in Finnish folk magic rituals. Second, it tests if Ian Hodder’s human-thing entanglement theory can be applied when discussing these interactions. The discussion focuses on the ethnological folk magic collections of the National Museum of Finland and the Hämeen museo collection at Museum Centre Vapriikki in Tampere. These collections have formed as a result of the late 19th–early 20th-century effort to preserve Finland’s cultural heritage. This article focuses on descriptions of how the objects were used or handled and visible use-wear. In his discussion of human-thing entanglement theory, Ian Hodder shows how humans depend on things, things depend on other things, and things depend on humans. It therefore attempts to avoid the extremes of materialism/idealism and objectivism/subjectivism, incorporating agency while at the same time it de-centers the human. Thus, this article shows how humans depend on magical objects, magical objects depend on other objects, and magical objects depend on humans.
Temenos - Nordic Journal of Comparative Religion, 2021
This paper explores international aspects of Finnish folk magic. Folk magic objects in two Finnis... more This paper explores international aspects of Finnish folk magic. Folk magic objects in two Finnish museum collections (the National Museum of Finland and Museum Centre Vapriikki) are compared to analogous objects in the Nordiska museet in Sweden and the Pitt Rivers Museum in the UK to reveal the collections' resemblances and differences. The material in question dates to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Many similar objects occur in these collections. Explanations for this are sought in historical networks between peoples. Yet a closer inspection also reveals variation in practices and beliefs. This reveals the dynamic nature of folk magic traditions, although collection and curation policies also play a role. Moreover, the complex connections between religion, medicine, and magic are uncovered.
SKAS, 2021
This study discusses possible signs of folk magic unearthed during urban archaeological excavatio... more This study discusses possible signs of folk magic unearthed during urban archaeological excavations in Turku, Finland. The finds were selected using ethnological folk magic collections in the National Museum of Finland and Museum Centre Vapriikki as reference material. The study utilizes a modified form of the "archaeology of folk religion" methodology, where the subject matter is approached with the help of reference materials instead of utilizing several types of source material. The source material of this study comprises of 45 catalogue entries of archaeological objects that are housed at the Museum Centre of Turku and the Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova Museum. These objects may be connected to folk magic practices, however, this remains uncertain.
Entangled Beliefs and Rituals: Religion in Finland and Sápmi from Stone Age to Contemporary Times, 2020
In the science-based western world view today, objects and materials are perceived as inert; esse... more In the science-based western world view today, objects and materials are perceived as inert; essentially, they are dead matter. However, this is not the case in all cultures and all periods. In the area of present-day Finland, objects and materials were seen as potentially alive up to the early 20th century. This is well documented in oral accounts gathered and stored in folklore archives. Moreover, objects perceived as potent have been gathered into museum collections. While the issue of special agency in objects and materials has been discussed within folkloristics and comparative religion, it has been less familiar among archaeologists. This chapter provides an archaeologist's viewpoint on the significance of this issue, especially the ways in which it affects the important question of ritual or rubbish. The notion of non-human agency in the 19th-century Finnish world view is a complex and dynamic matter. This kind of agency surfaces in the interaction between a human and a thing.
Lund Archaeological Review, 2019
Material Religion, 2018
In Finland the material aspects of magic have long been of marginal interest to scholars. Still, ... more In Finland the material aspects of magic have long been of marginal interest to scholars. Still, during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries several magical objects were gathered into museums, in addition to the archived vast folklore collections describing magic practices. The latter have been widely discussed, while recently also the material culture of magic is becoming the object of study.
This paper discusses the objects classified as magical in the collections of the National Museum in Helsinki. The collection includes, for example, miniature coffins containing an impaled frog or a wooden stick figure, magic pouches with various contents, animal bones and teeth, “snake’s court stones,” and curious growths of trees. The objects date mainly to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This collection is briefly presented and the process of ascribing magical meanings to a natural or constructed object is analyzed, both from the viewpoint of practitioners and museum personnel.
From the practitioners’ standpoint a complex combination of analogical thinking, potent agencies, and specific contexts resulted in special qualities of objects. In the museum, specific objects used solely for ritual purposes have attracted more attention than multi-purpose everyday items. Moreover, a foreknowledge of what kinds of objects were used ritually has guided choices of cataloguers. As a result the collection is quite limited.
Keywords: magic objects, folk religion, Finland
Estonian Journal of Archaeology, 2017
The paper discusses the remains of domestic animals showing signs of ritual deposition at the set... more The paper discusses the remains of domestic animals showing signs of ritual deposition at the settlement site of Mulli at Raisio in south-western Finland, dating to the Late Iron Age and Early Medieval period. Initially, a singly deposited sheep found under the wall of a building had been interpreted as ritually buried. While selecting samples for another study the curious nature of other deposits of domestic animals at the site became apparent and a re-analysis was conducted. This paper presents the results of the osteological reexamination and discusses indicators of ritual activity at the site. In fact, the site exhibits evidence of repeated rituals involving sheep cut to small chunks and bones buried at the homestead. Since organic material seldom preserves in the local soil, Mulli offers a unique glimpse into the ritual practices involving animal remains in Late Iron Age Finland. Although previous studies suggest that Christian beliefs were already changing the burial practices of the Mulli dwellers, domestic rituals remained important in their worldview.
Magic, Ritual, and Witchcraft
Today I Am Not the One I Was Yesterday: Archaeology, Identity, and Change. Interarchaeologia 4., 2015
In earlier studies religion and everyday life have often been seen as the opposites of each other... more In earlier studies religion and everyday life have often been seen as the opposites of each other. The strict dichotomy between sacred and profane has been widely accepted in anthropology, history of religion, and archaeology. This approach has since been changing, first in the other mentioned disciplines and then also among archaeologists. Nevertheless, many outdated attitudes towards ritual and religion still linger among us, perhaps unconsciously.
This paper discusses briefly the changing attitudes towards ritual, religion, and everyday life in archaeology and how this development contributes towards a wider understanding of past action. It is proposed here that the crux of the definitional problems of religion and ritual lies within how categories are always simplifications of reality. When we do not divide action into strict categories and do not force sharp dichotomies on the societies we study, we get a more comprehensive insight into past life.
Key words: ritual, religion, magic, categories, semantics, sacred and profane, building concealments/deposits.
Folklore: Electronic Journal of Folklore, 2013
Archaeology is not only about describing things; we also seek to understand what we find. Sometim... more Archaeology is not only about describing things; we also seek to understand what we find. Sometimes a find can seem puzzling, unexpected in the context in question. It is argued here that evidence of non-Christian elements of religiosity in a historical context can constitute such surprising finds. These finds become less confusing in the light of other sources, such as folklore accounts and historical records. Still, archaeology can offer something not accessible to other disciplines.
The article discusses the horse's role as a building deposit in historical times. The focus is on... more The article discusses the horse's role as a building deposit in historical times. The focus is on Finland but a short overlook on the custom elsewhere in Europe (mainly Southern Scandinavia and the British Isles) is also given. The possible meanings attached to the horse in deposits are also presented.
Fornvännen, Jan 1, 2011
Ett byggnadsoffer är ett föremål (artefakt, ekofakt eller geofakt) som man deponerat avsiktligen ... more Ett byggnadsoffer är ett föremål (artefakt, ekofakt eller geofakt) som man deponerat avsiktligen i en byggnadskonstruktion. Så långt låter det väl relativt enkelt, men när man funderar vidare på saken uppstår några frågor. Varför finns ordet »offer» i begreppet? Betyder det här att alla föremål man gömt avsiktligen i hus är byggnadsoffer? Hur kan man särskilja avsiktliga depositioner från tappade föremål?
Books by Sonja Hukantaival
Magic Past and Present brings together the latest interdisciplinary research by Finnish scholars ... more Magic Past and Present brings together the latest interdisciplinary research by Finnish scholars on magic and witchcraft. The authors come from fields such as history, art, literature, religion, and culture. Geographically, the articles are set in Finland and its surrounding areas, and the time span is from the Middle Ages to the present day. The book’s chapters discuss magic and magic-users in a wide context, from medieval church paintings and their portrayed gender roles to the neoshamanism and paganism of the present day. They also address issues such as witchcraft accusations from the perspective of othering and groundbreaking figures like one of the first Finnish female magicians at the turn of the 21st century. The book is intended for scholars in various humanities fields, such as history, religious studies, folklore, and literature. A general audience will also find the book thought-provoking and informative.
Turun Historiallinen Arkisto, 2018
Turun Koroistenniemi on ainutlaatuinen kohde Suomen historiassa. Siellä sijaitsi 1200-luvun toise... more Turun Koroistenniemi on ainutlaatuinen kohde Suomen historiassa. Siellä sijaitsi 1200-luvun toiselta neljännekseltä aina 1300-luvun taitteeseen asti Suomen ensimmäinen kirkollinen keskus, tuomiokirkko ja piispallinen asunto. Sieltä käsin johdettiin maamme kristillistymistä ja kirkollisen hallinnon muovautumista.
Monitieteisessä teoksessa hahmotellaan laajan asiantuntijajoukon voimin Koroisten käyttöhistoriaa ennen kirkollisen hallinnon saapumista, piispanistuimen perustamista, alueen käytön muutoksia 1200-luvulta keskiajan loppuun sekä niemen käytön hiipumista ja myöhempää hyödyntämistä.
Teoksen uudet tulkinnat eivät luo kuvaa ainoastaan yhdestä yksittäisestä kohteesta ja sen historiasta, vaan Koroisten valtavan varhaishistoriallisen merkityksen vuoksi tulokset laajentavat nykyisiä käsityksiä esihistoriallisen ja historiallisen ajan taitteesta sekä kristillisen kulttuurin vakiintumisesta Suomeen.
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Papers by Sonja Hukantaival
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This paper discusses the objects classified as magical in the collections of the National Museum in Helsinki. The collection includes, for example, miniature coffins containing an impaled frog or a wooden stick figure, magic pouches with various contents, animal bones and teeth, “snake’s court stones,” and curious growths of trees. The objects date mainly to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This collection is briefly presented and the process of ascribing magical meanings to a natural or constructed object is analyzed, both from the viewpoint of practitioners and museum personnel.
From the practitioners’ standpoint a complex combination of analogical thinking, potent agencies, and specific contexts resulted in special qualities of objects. In the museum, specific objects used solely for ritual purposes have attracted more attention than multi-purpose everyday items. Moreover, a foreknowledge of what kinds of objects were used ritually has guided choices of cataloguers. As a result the collection is quite limited.
Keywords: magic objects, folk religion, Finland
This paper discusses briefly the changing attitudes towards ritual, religion, and everyday life in archaeology and how this development contributes towards a wider understanding of past action. It is proposed here that the crux of the definitional problems of religion and ritual lies within how categories are always simplifications of reality. When we do not divide action into strict categories and do not force sharp dichotomies on the societies we study, we get a more comprehensive insight into past life.
Key words: ritual, religion, magic, categories, semantics, sacred and profane, building concealments/deposits.
Books by Sonja Hukantaival
Monitieteisessä teoksessa hahmotellaan laajan asiantuntijajoukon voimin Koroisten käyttöhistoriaa ennen kirkollisen hallinnon saapumista, piispanistuimen perustamista, alueen käytön muutoksia 1200-luvulta keskiajan loppuun sekä niemen käytön hiipumista ja myöhempää hyödyntämistä.
Teoksen uudet tulkinnat eivät luo kuvaa ainoastaan yhdestä yksittäisestä kohteesta ja sen historiasta, vaan Koroisten valtavan varhaishistoriallisen merkityksen vuoksi tulokset laajentavat nykyisiä käsityksiä esihistoriallisen ja historiallisen ajan taitteesta sekä kristillisen kulttuurin vakiintumisesta Suomeen.
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This paper discusses the objects classified as magical in the collections of the National Museum in Helsinki. The collection includes, for example, miniature coffins containing an impaled frog or a wooden stick figure, magic pouches with various contents, animal bones and teeth, “snake’s court stones,” and curious growths of trees. The objects date mainly to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This collection is briefly presented and the process of ascribing magical meanings to a natural or constructed object is analyzed, both from the viewpoint of practitioners and museum personnel.
From the practitioners’ standpoint a complex combination of analogical thinking, potent agencies, and specific contexts resulted in special qualities of objects. In the museum, specific objects used solely for ritual purposes have attracted more attention than multi-purpose everyday items. Moreover, a foreknowledge of what kinds of objects were used ritually has guided choices of cataloguers. As a result the collection is quite limited.
Keywords: magic objects, folk religion, Finland
This paper discusses briefly the changing attitudes towards ritual, religion, and everyday life in archaeology and how this development contributes towards a wider understanding of past action. It is proposed here that the crux of the definitional problems of religion and ritual lies within how categories are always simplifications of reality. When we do not divide action into strict categories and do not force sharp dichotomies on the societies we study, we get a more comprehensive insight into past life.
Key words: ritual, religion, magic, categories, semantics, sacred and profane, building concealments/deposits.
Monitieteisessä teoksessa hahmotellaan laajan asiantuntijajoukon voimin Koroisten käyttöhistoriaa ennen kirkollisen hallinnon saapumista, piispanistuimen perustamista, alueen käytön muutoksia 1200-luvulta keskiajan loppuun sekä niemen käytön hiipumista ja myöhempää hyödyntämistä.
Teoksen uudet tulkinnat eivät luo kuvaa ainoastaan yhdestä yksittäisestä kohteesta ja sen historiasta, vaan Koroisten valtavan varhaishistoriallisen merkityksen vuoksi tulokset laajentavat nykyisiä käsityksiä esihistoriallisen ja historiallisen ajan taitteesta sekä kristillisen kulttuurin vakiintumisesta Suomeen.
During the past few decades, the scope of church archaeology has expanded immensely and can presently be described as a multifaceted field of research. This book represents a convincing testament to this development. Every chapter gives a distinctive perspective on the theme of sacred monuments and practices written by leading experts in this field. As such, this volume offers unique insights into the study of religious life and its material aspects in the Baltic Sea Region, made available for English-readers for the first time.
This study discusses building concealment practices and the worldview where they were meaningful in the light of archaeological finds and folklore accounts. Moreover, the book introduces a means for studying historical folk religion as part of the archaeology of religion.
This paper concentrates on the objects classified as magical in the collections of the National Museum in Helsinki. These date mainly to the late 19th and early 20th century, and are thus contemporary with the archived folklore accounts illuminating the meanings and use of such objects. The collection includes for example miniature coffins containing an impaled frog or wooden stick figure, magic pouches with various content, animal bones and teeth, round “snake’s court stones”, and curious growths of trees. In addition to these the museum also holds numerous Stone Age tools which evidently have been used as potent “thunderstones”.
The aim of this paper is to present this collection, to show the characteristics of objects in Finnish folk magic, and also to analyze the process of ascribing magical meanings to a natural or constructed object, both from the viewpoint of practitioners and museum personnel.
This paper discusses these and other similar finds as evidence of ‘folk religion’. The interpretation of these puzzling finds is aided by folklore sources that have been collected during the late 19th century. They illustrate how the sacredness of a church was embraced and utilized in magic practices related to everyday concerns of the common people in the past.
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