ARCHAEOLOGY
Archaeology is a multidisciplinary field for the studying the human past and in the University of Turku research is closely interlinked with other fields in the humanities, such as history. Teaching focuses on theoretical and methodological aspects of archaeology, and a heavy emphasis is placed on field work, such as archaeological excavations.
PhD Georg Haggrén (UTU)
PROFESSOR
My research focuses on Historical archaeology, Urban archaeology, Castle studies, Medieval and early modern material culture (especially archaeology of glass).
PhD Juha Ruohonen (UTU)
UNIVERSITY TEACHER
My research focuses on Late Iron Age, Medieval and Post-Medieval rural communities, especially to the field work methods, and study of Christianisation process, organisation of the church and burial customs in Finland, Lapland and Karelia.
PhD Tanja Ratilainen (UTU)
POST DOC
My research focuses on medieval building archaeology, particularly bricks and roof tiles. I am currently working on the building history of Turku Cathedral.
PhD Sonja Hukantaival (UTU)
PHD RESEARCHER
Archaeology of Ritual, Religion, and Magic. Material Aspects of Folk Religion. Late Iron Age and Historical Periods
MA Saara-Veera Härmä (UTU)
PHD RESEARCHER
My research focuses on the materiality of horse riding and long-term changes in human–animal relations in Finland.
PhD Satu Koivisto (UTU)
DOCENT
Mesolithic and Neolithic archaeology, Hunter-fisher-gatherers, Northern Europe, Baltic Sea, Wetlands, Lakes, Peatlands, Organic materials, Waterlogged archaeological wood, Prehistoric technologies, Subsistence strategies, Fishing methods, Monitoring of sites, Preservation, Sedimentation, Heritage management.
PhD Janne Harjula (UTU)
UNIVERSITY LECTURER
My primary research interests are related to the material culture of the Middle Ages and later historical periods in Finland and the Baltic region.
PhD Ville Mantere (UTU)
POST DOC
Rock art, prehistoric art and religion, human-animal relationships, hunter-fisher-gatherers, Stone Age
MA Jussi Kinnunen (UTU)
PHD RESEARCHER
My primary research interests are building and urban archaeology on the Middle Ages and the Late Iron Age in Finland and in Baltic Sea area. I am also geologist and I utilize many research methods (e.g. GIS, 3D-modelling, UAV, TLS and geophysics) of natural sciences. I’m working 2025–2026 in Aalto university ”Uponnut katedraali” – project funded by Research Council of Finland.
MA Jani Oravisjärvi (UTU)
PHD RESEARCHER
I am interested in archaeobotany i.e seeds and grains recovered from archaeological sites.
MA Sanni Salomaa (UTU)
PHD RESEARCHER
I’m studying the role of waste-like materials such as vessel fragments, animal bones, burnt clay and clay daub in the formation processes of the Iron Age cairns in Finland through case studies from the region of Satakunta.
MA Ilari Aalto (UTU)
PHD RESEARCHER
My PhD research centers on the medieval brickmakers’ marks situated in Finnish stone churches. My other research interests are urban archaeology, community archaeology and history textbooks studies.