Soon after the ice melted in southern Savo
about 11,000 years ago, the first people began to settle in
the area. The hunter population took to the waters both in
summer and wintertime. This is evident from the several
flat-bottomed rowing boats that have been found as well as
from an object estimated to be the oldest in the province: a
7000-year-old sleigh runner found in Haukivuori.
Stone-Age people picked their dwelling places
on sunny, dry shores. The relics of a 300 sq m building have
been studied in Naarajärvi, within the rural commune of
Pieksämäki. The abode is about 5700 years old, and remains
of plants suggest that habitation has occurred all year round.
Nature was the source of livelihood.
Stone-pointed spears and arrows were used for hunting elks,
deer, bears, seals, birds and small game. Bone and stone hooks
as well as various types of traps were used for fishing, and
berries and plants were picked in forests. Trade was already
vibrant in the Stone Age; flint was imported from Russia,
amber from the shores of the Baltic Sea, and green schist from
Lake Onega. Objects and raw materials were transported over
thousands of kilometres.
The earliest pieces of earthenware were
crafted on the shores of Saimaa 6200 years ago. These objects
were often ornamented, and the different methods of decoration
form the basis on which archaeologists divide the Stone Age
into periods. Containers were also made from wood and leather,
but these have become decomposed in Finland’s acidic soil.
There are approximately one hundred
prehistoric rock paintings in Finland. The majority of them
are situated on the lake side rock of Lake Saimaa, and feature
red earth paintings depicting humans, elks and boats, as well
as hand prints and different kinds of geometric shapes. In
Savonlinna’s Rapakonsaari island, two swan figures have been
found.
Finnish rock paintings are thought to
originate from 3,300-7,000 years ago.
The paintings were executed during the summer
from a boat, or during the springtime standing on the frozen
surface of a lake, while the sun was warming the ‘artists’
at work.
Rock paintings sought to secure the hunting
luck of their painters. The two arrowheads found in front of
Ristiina’s Astuvansalmi painting may have been used in
ritual shooting. The paintings have perhaps been used for
capturing animals, or for returning an animal’s
"soul" to its rightful master. The human forms are
thought to depict shamans, who often wore animal masks.
Scandinavia’s largest rock painting is
situated in Ristiina. The rock face of Astuvansalmi depicts at
least 60 motifs. The painted surface is more than 15 metres in
length and 8 metres in height overall. Excavations carried out
in front of the painting, on a narrow rock terrace, unearthed
two arrowheads. The paintings are thought to be from
4,400-5,800 years old.
The Astuvansalmi rock face displays a distinct
impression of a human face. It may have acted as the
inspiration for an amber necklace, found at the bottom of Lake
Yövesi, right in front of the painting.
