Digging into the First Layers of Malmio

Due to some changes in the schedule, planned advances on the oldest site of Lapland were pushed back a bit and instead we focused on the three other trenches we had already opened the week before. In this post I'm giving some insight into the methods we're using to locate the sites we're excavating for the following weeks. As a case study, I will share the first steps we made at the Malmio 10B site by the lush coast of lake Loitsana in Savukoski.

Digging the first layer of the Malmio 10B test trenches.
Malmio 10B is a Stone Age site that was found in the 2013 archaeological field survey. Based on factors such as topography and locations of waterways, the survey team visited the most suitable areas for human habitation through time. There were multiple shovel test pits done in such areas and at Malmio 10B, these pits revealed a wide cultural layer rich in quartz flakes and burnt bones. Based on the distribution of these pits, the human influenced area was estimated to be 20x13m wide.

This was the setting we faced when arriving to the location. However, as the test pits only give a rough idea of the site, we had to open proper trenches to determine the center of the human activities and to find out what was the purpose of the site. Thus, we opened up a long test trench, with another trench crossing it towards the lake, making the excavation area resemble a cross.

Quartz scraper. Photo: Vesa Laulumaa
After cleaning the excavation area from all vegetation and measuring the topography of the site with a total station, we got into digging - and the finds were numerous from the beginning. Each find was soon measured with the total station, giving them a unique code and location in a three-dimensional excavation map. As we kept going, it soon became obvious that the finds were located more in the western and northern parts of the trenches, while the other ends of the trenches were completely without finds.

Based on the distribution of finds, it was easy to decide where to continue the excavation trenches next and we soon opened up a wider extension in between the parts with the most finds.

The decision was soon proven correct as the trench continued to provide, even though we had advanced only 5 centimeters beneath the ground. Among the multiple quartz flakes and burnt bones, there were also a few quartz scrapers, lithic flakes and a hint of red ochre. While the long-awaited pottery was still lacking from this trench, the quantity of the finds so far are promising in regard of the next layers that are still awaiting beneath the ground. Luckily we still have multiple weeks to reach all of them!

Distribution map of all finds tracked by the total station.


Location: Savukoski, Suomi

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