The role of eastern influences in the interpretations of the prehistoric eras in the Nordic region

The project is intended to gain a deeper understanding of the historical development of Swedish and Nordic archaeology.

The project raises a number of questions about the creation of borders and identity, archaeology, politics and nationalism, along with views of Sami history and identity in relation to national history and identity in the Nordic countries.

A number of types of artifact dating back to prehistoric times have been found in northern Sweden, as well as northern Norway and Finland. These have been interpreted to be the result of eastern contacts or influences.

The finds include objects presumed to be of eastern origin, or more indeterminate indications of eastern influences in the design of artifacts.

The “eastern artifacts” make up a complex archaeological material that is difficult to interpret. Interpretations vary widely, depending on which period is studied. A further factor complicating these interpretations is that archaeologists in Sweden often possess little knowledge of 
prehistory and archaeological material east of the Nordic region. This is partly due to the difficulties in gaining access to research findings from countries to the east, particularly Russia.

One key issue concerns the political dimensions of archaeology, and how political developments have impacted, and continue to impact, the view of contact with the east during prehistory. What different roles has “the east” played in interpretations of the prehistoric eras in the Nordic countries? How have views evolved during the history of archaeology, and why?

Project: 
East and West in the North: Archaeology with and without borders in northern Fennoscandia

Principal investigator: 
Carl-Gösta Ojala

Institution:
Uppsala University

Grant:
SEK 1.5 million