Arheoloogilised Välitööd Eestis

Archaeological Fieldwork in 2024

Erki Russow — 2025-12-05

The paper introduces the results of the archaeological fieldwork in Estonia in 2024. Altogether 250 cases of fieldwork were organised, of which most were watching briefs, followed by the preliminary investigations and small-scale research activities. Research-related studies usually concentrated on the Late Iron Age and medieval monuments, with a lot of attention given to the hill forts. The rescue and salvage work in rural areas produced revealed information on the extent of settlement sites, and a few burial sites and fossil fields, in one case, these date from the Bronze Age. Of the medieval castles, investigations in Angerja and Kolga yielded interesting finds. In urban centres, several noteworthy studies took place in Narva and Tallinn.

Investigations at Sindi-Lodja

Aivar Kriiska — 2025-12-05

In 2024, archaeological rescue work was carried out at the Sindi-Lodja I settlement site, and preliminary investigations were conducted in the protection zone of the same settlement site and in the immediate vicinity on both banks of the Reiu River. The work aimed to sieve a pile of soil containing finds collected from an area excavated without archaeological supervision and to conduct a spot survey of the riverbank area. A total of 133 finds were collected from a pile measuring a few cubic metres using surface collection and water sieving. Both archaeological and geoarchaeological surveys were conducted in the area of the new Sindi-Lodja bridge construction. A total of 57 test pits were excavated during the fieldwork, and geoarchaeological probing was carried out at 12 locations. The later revealed e deposit very similar to the earlier investigated cultural layer at Sindi-Lodja I and II Stone Age settlement sites.

Archaeological investigations at the Naakamäe Stone Age Settlement Site on Saaremaa

Aivar Kriiska — 2025-12-05

In 2024, rescue archaeological fieldwork was carried out at a Stone Age settlement site in Naakamäe, Saaremaa. Thirteen test pits, covering a total area of approximately 19 m2 were dug. During the fieldwork, 1,234 artefacts and 2,416 bone finds were collected and samples were taken. New research has revealed that the Naakamäe settlement site was inhabited in four separate episodes, with the oldest settlement period dating back to the second half of the 4th millennium BC (settlement phase 1) and the youngest to the first half of the 2nd millennium BC (settlement phase 4).

Three recently discovered hill forts in south-eastern Estonia: Pühiküla, Luke, and Valgesoo

Heiki Valk — 2025-12-05

In 2024, the Valgesoo hill fort in Võnnu parish, the Pühiküla hill fort in Kambja parish, and the Luke hill fort in Nõo parish were studied. The Pühiküla and Luke hill forts are unique in Tartu County due to their concentric low ramparts and ditches. According to the research results, the hill forts were in use for a short period of time, either in the 2nd century BC – 1st century AD (Pühiküla) or between the 3rd and 6th centuries (Valgesoo) and the 5th and 7th centuries AD (Luke). The apparently short period of use of the hill forts and the destruction of the defensive structures in fire indicate tensions in society during the first half of the Iron Age in Estonia, and conflicts between different communities.

Ground-Penetrating Radar Investigation of an Underwater Settlement Site at Koorküla Valgjärv

Maili Roio — 2025-12-05

The purpose of the ground-penetrating radar survey conducted in 2024 at the site of the remains of underwater structures in Koorküla Valgjärv was to map the extent of the prehistoric structure and assess the thickness of the cultural layer. The results show that the lake bottom is mostly 2–3 metres deep in the survey area, but less than a metre of water covers the top of the mound. A strong horizontal reflection was detected at the top of the mound, which may indicate a horizontal surface of a cultural layer (up to 90 cm thick) mixed with lake sediments. The georadar survey confirms that the potential archaeological area is more extensive (over 16,000 m²) and partially concealed by lake sediments, which increases the need for additional underwater archaeological excavations.

Hoard from Sarve, Hiiumaa – reviewing local history

Monika Reppo — 2025-12-05

In 2024, a hobbyist discovered silver coins, a penannular brooch, a mount, and a brooch needle from Sarve village on Hiiumaa Island. Subsequent archaeological investigations covered an area of over 600 m2 at the presumed location of the treasure and excavated a 1.39 m2 trench to collect any coins that might have remained in the ground. The coins were dated to the 11th century, and the other items to the 12th-14th centuries. The location of the find spot of the oldest coins in Hiiumaa indicate that the Sarve coastline was a harbour or mooring place in the Final Iron Age and provide important new information for research into the settlement history of the island.

A magnate’s farm in Rahu? A 12th-century silver hoard from Saaremaa

Marika Mägi — 2025-12-05

In the summer of 2024, a hoard was found under the floor of a house during construction work at Põdra farm in Rahu village on Saaremaa. The composition of the finds (11th-12th century coins, an 11th-century silver brooch and a belt buckle made of the same material, part of a 12th-century sword hilt, 14th-15th-century coins, a silver brooch, and a late medieval or early modern weight) seems to indicate a household that was wealthier than average. The hoard found was probably the family's treasure trove, which was not hidden but kept inside the building, and the silver may have been used for daily bartering.

Excavations on two Late Iron Age strongholds in western Estonia: Ridala and Kedre (Leediküla)

Heiki Valk — 2025-12-05

In 2024, ancient hill forts were studied in Ridala Tubrilinnas and Kedre (Leediküla) Hallimäel in Läänemaa. The aim was to find an answer to the question of whether the hill forts in Läänemaa remained under Estonians' control after the conquest in the 13th century. It was established that the Ridala hill fort was in use by the Viking Age, although an earlier data cannot be excluded, and Kedre was probably founded during the Final Iron Age. Unfortunately, the excavations did not provide a clear answer as to when the strongholds ceased to be used.

Purtse Tarakallas hill fort in North-East Estonia: archaeological excavations validating the results of geophysical studies

Kristo Siig — 2025-12-05

Purtse Tarakallas hill fort – the second largest Iron Age hill fort in Virumaa County, northeastern Estonia is part of a larger complex of monuments, which also includes a burial ground and a settlement across the river. The 2024 studies were prompted by geophysical surveys conducted in 2023, which identified several anomalies in the courtyard of the hill fort that could indicate the presence of buildings. Two trenches were established to investigate the anomalies. Based on radiocarbon dating and artefact finds, the hill fort was in use from at least the end of the 7th century until the end of the 13th century or even the 14th century. A sunken building into the ground was discovered, which is a rare and valuable find and adds to our knowledge of life in Estonia in the early 13th century.

Urvaste Ala-Kõrtsi cemetery – a burial site from the 13th century

Heiki Valk — 2025-12-05

In 2024, trial excavations were carried out at the Urvaste Ala-Kõrtsi cemetery, where a heavily looted burial site was investigated in 2017 and a large number of random finds were collected. This time, four trenches were dug to search for new burial features, and additional detector surveys were carried out. Eight burials were identified in the trenches. The new finds confirm the earlier impression that the burial site originated in the 13th century after the Christianization of Ugandi and that its use generally ended in the second half of the 13th century, although the existence of some 14th-century burials cannot be excluded. The cause of the ceasing of burials is probably connected with the establishment of the parish church and the surrounding cemetery.

Archaeological survey, rescue excavations and analysis of the Kuremäe burial complex

Martin Malve — 2025-12-05

In 2024, fieldwork was carried out in the village of Kuremäe in Ida-Viru County with the aim of determining the actual extent of the cemetery under temporary protection by means of landscape surveys, test pits, and archival materials. Rescue excavations were also carried out at burials that were destroyed in 2023 during the deepening of a central heating pipeline trench. It turned out that Kuremäe is not just a Late Iron Age and Medieval Votic burial mound cemetery, but a larger and longer-term burial complex, where both early burial mounds and later burials are present, and the latter may also have contained low burial mounds. A total of 45,600 m2 was surveyed with detectors, 27 test pits were dug, and two trenches were opened.

Archaeological fieldwork on sites discovered by metal detectorists on arable land: Selli, Seliküla, Tarva and Kabila

Marika Smirnova — 2025-12-05

The KUM-TA 4 project focuses on archaeological sites discovered by hobbyists located on cultivated farmland. The project aims to find effective methods for documenting and researching these monuments and to integrate the data obtained into a broader understanding of Estonian history. In 2024, we organised fieldwork at four sites located in different counties of Estonia. In summary, it can be confirmed that the cultural layer of archaeological sites on intensively cultivated farmland is rather poorly preserved. Even based primarily on areas of concentration of finds, it is possible to analyse, for example, the distance between burial and settlement areas and other patterns of landscape use. Analysis of the finds allows us to estimate the duration and continuity of use of a site, as well as its possible size in the past.

Archaeological excavations near Nõo churchyard

Mihkel Tammet — 2025-12-05

In 2024, an area of approximately 200 m2 was archaeologically surveyed in Nõo borough in connection with the construction of a bus parking lot. After removing a layer of topsoil approximately 20 cm thick, a cultural layer up to 40 cm thick was exposed, in which two deposits were distinguished. The upper part was 15–30 cm thick and contained a large amount of charcoal, while the lower part was only visible in places on the natural subsoil. This layer was characterised by a high content of peat and manure. As only three pottery sherds were found in the entire excavation area, this is not a settlement cultural layer. More than 50 coins from the 15th–16th centuries, other metal finds, and the location on the bank of a stream indicate that this was a watering place for animals, probably related to the church fairs.

Iron smelting or smithery: surveying the uncertain iron working sites in Estonia

Ragnar Saage — 2025-12-05

The article discusses four little-studied ironworking sites in Estonia, where 1-2-day fieldwork was conducted in 2024. The main objective was to collect slag and iron samples for metallographic analysis and radiocarbon dating. Despite the short duration of the fieldwork, significant results were achieved in identifying and characterising ironworking activities at the sites studied. The results show that even small-scale studies can provide valuable information when combined with metallographic and radiocarbon analysis of iron artefacts. The dating of cast iron proved to be important, as there is no evidence of its targeted production in Estonia before the 15th century.

Archaeological investigation of the Kakulaane charcoal-burning site

Ragnar Saage — 2025-12-05

In the summer of 2024, the Kakulaane charcoal-burning site, located in Antsla parish in southern Estonia, was investigated. The study area, located in a sandy pine forest that has not been used for intensive agriculture, was mapped for well-preserved charcoal burning remains: 88 burning pits and 57 mounds. The earliest radiocarbon dates place the charcoal burning in the 13th–15th centuries, but charcoal was burned in the area until the 20th century. The research provided new insights into late medieval and early modern charcoal burning technology and land use, and discussed the role of the site in the broader rural-to-urban supply chain for charcoal.

Die Stadtmauer und der Wallgraben von Narva – Forschungen im Jahr 2024

Ilja Davõdov — 2025-12-05

Der Artikel stellt die archäologischen Untersuchungen der Viru-Straße 3 und der Viru-Straße im Jahr 2024 sowie die Ergebnisse früherer Untersuchungen vor und präsentiert eine neue Interpretation der schriftlichen Quellen über die Stadtmauer von Narva. In allen 2024 untersuchten Abschnitten konnten zwei durch gerade Stehfugen getrennte Mauerwerke unterschieden werden. Auf der Ostseite der Stadtmauer befand sich eine vom Westen her stark zerstörte mittelalterliche Stadtmauer mit einer Dicke von 1,8–1,93 m, deren ursprüngliche Dicke 2,2–2,4 m betragen haben könnte. An der Außenseite der mittelalterlichen Stadtmauer befand sich ein 2,5–1,4 m dickes Mauerwerk, das durch eine gerade Vertikalfuge von der mittelalterlichen Stadtmauer getrennt war und in der zweiten Hälfte des 16. Jahrhunderts errichtet worden war.

Archaeological monitoring on the northern and north-eastern sides of the University of Tartu main building

Silvia-Kristin Kask — 2025-12-05

In 2024, archaeological research was conducted in the area between the buildings at Ülikooli 18, 18a, and 18b, and near the building at Ülikooli 18a on Munga Street in connection with the construction of rainwater drainage pipes and the renovation of the sewer system. Loose bones were collected from the open area, which are associated with the medieval Maarja Church that previously stood on the site and the cemetery located next to it. In addition, 14 wall fragments and walls of three more extensively preserved building were excavated from the survey area. These belong to early modern buildings located in the area. Most of the collected finds belong to the same period.

Archaeological research of the Medieval to Early Modern St Barbara cemetery in Tallinn

Mai-Britt Tomson — 2025-12-05

In 2024, archaeological research was conducted in Tallinn on Kaarli Avenue due to the renovation of water, sewerage, and rainwater pipes in the area of the former St Barbara Cemetery, during which the skeletal remains of over 200 individuals were unearthed. During the new fieldwork, burials were documented in three of the sixteen trenches, with a total of nine mass graves and 25 individual graves identified. The oldest burials are believed to date from the 14th century, with the later ones from the 18th century.

Archaeological rescue excavations at an Early Modern burial ground in the area of J. Kunderi and F. R. Kreutzwaldi streets, Tallinn

Martin Malve — 2025-12-05

The burial site located in the area of J. Kunderi and F. R. Kreutzwaldi streets in Tallinn has undergone a series of earthworks over the years, shedding light on this hitherto relatively unknown cemetery. Despite numerous previous excavations, two archaeological rescue excavations in 2024 succeeded in cleaning up early modern in situ burials and collecting human bones and finds from previously disturbed graves. Numerous Modern Period finds and animal bones were also found, as well as a partially preserved dog skeleton. A total of 16 intact or partially preserved burials were cleaned, including one double and one triple burial.

Preliminary survey of wreck Nimetu-367 off the west coast of Saaremaa Island

Ivar Treffner — 2025-12-05

In 2024, a ship that sank off the west coast of Saaremaa, known as Nimetu-367, was investigated. Nimetu-367, or the Rjabin wreck, is a sailing ship lying at a depth of approximately 66 m, 8.7 miles west of the Harilaid peninsula. Based on sonar data, the ship is 33.1 m long and 8 m wide. The ship was identified using a process of elimination, ruling out 19th-century wrecks located off the coast of Saaremaa whose dimensions and other known characteristics do not match those of Nimetu-367. A possible candidate is the 372-tonne sailing ship Worthy of Devon (Wreck Register ID 1217), built in England in 1851. The ship, which was en route from Newcastle, England, to Kronstadt, ran aground on the Tinarahu shoal on August 28, 1860. However, it is not possible to identify the wreck with certainty, and additional field and archival work is needed to verify the data.

Preliminary results of the archaeological investigations of the Käpa forest brothers bunker in the border zone of Harju and Järva Counties

Mauri Kuidsoo — 2025-12-05

In 2023–2024, archaeological research was conducted on a forest brothers' bunker discovered near Lake Käpa in the border area of Harju and Järva counties, where human remains were found in 2022 when the bunker was discovered. Therefore, the aim was to obtain additional information for a criminal case concerning the systematic attacks against the civilian population carried out by the occupying powers in Estonia between 1944 and 1978 with the aim of suppressing resistance. The Käpa bunker was an underground one-man bunker measuring just over four square meters. The skeleton discovered on the bunker's platform was almost complete, with only a few minor skeletal parts missing. The skeleton belonged to a man aged 40+, with some remarkable pathologies. Käpa bunker is an important discovery, because a large number of bunkers were destroyed in attacks by the Soviet security operatives and the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Forest brothers themselves also often demolished their bunkers.

Search for the Site of the St Matthew’s Day Battle in Vastemõisa, Viljandi County

Marge Konsa — 2025-12-05

In 2024, metal detectorists conducted their seventh search for the site of the St Matthew’s Day Battle (1217), this time in the village of Vastemõisa. A total area of approximately 30 hectares was searched with metal detectors. There were 100 detectorists and 7 documenters. Some flint fragments were found in the search area, which are associated with known Stone Age human activity in the Vastemõisa region. The oldest metal find was a bronze sestertius minted at the end of the reign of Roman Emperor Commodus in 192 AD. A copper alloy bracelet, glass beads, and ceramics may also date back to the Roman Iron Age. Most of the coloured metal objects were jewelry and metal parts of clothing. Among them were also items from the 11th–13th centuries. The results of the fieldwork show that settlement in the early modern location of Järavere village began as early as prehistoric times. This also rules out the possibility that the St Matthew’s Day Battle in the 13th century took place there.

New Public Finds and Old Problems: An Overview of 2024

Tuuli Kurisoo — 2025-12-05

In 2024, approximately 80 detector search permit holders reported archaeological finds of cultural value, 171 find spots were listed. Most of the finds by hobbyists were made in the northern part of Estonia. Information about new finds in the southern part of Estonia is rather scarce. Although some Stone Age and Bronze Age items are included, the majority of the discovered objects can be dated from the Late Iron Age to the Modern Period. The Kaali meteorite iron from Kõljala village, which is not part of the archaeological cultural heritage, deserves special attention. In 2024, it was again noticeable that fewer finds reached the Heritage Board than the number of permit holders would suggest. Three sites discovered by hobbyists were listed as protected archaeological sites, but there are still many sites that need similar protection.