%0 Research Notes
%T Settlement history of Finland traced by means of microfossil analyses of peat deposits
%A Vuorela, Irmeli
%D 1991
%J Suo - Mires and peat
%V 42
%N 5
%U http://suo.fi/article/9685
%X Information on early settlement history in SW Finland has increased considerably as a result of archaeometrical studies including pollen analysis, charcoal analysis and loss-on-ignition analysis of peat deposits, especially of Sphagnum peat. The results together with 14C-datings, show that the introduction of agriculture took place from the S-SW in the SW archipelago as early as 3600±90 BP (before present). This, however, does not explain the early pollen and charcoal dust evidence of cultivation in the Kainuu district where corresponding darings of 3680±90 BP have recently been obtained, or in Siilinjarvi where evidence of early cultivation around 3000 BP has also been recorded.

Keywords: archaeometry, charcoal particles, loss-on-ignition, peatland, pollen analysis, settlement history