People

Professor in Archaeology

I have been Professor of Archaeology at Helsinki University since 2004. I work with wide range of research questions but my main research focus is in Bronze Age and Early Metal Age in the coniferous area of northern Europe.

Mika Lavento’s profile on the University of Helsinki people finder

Professor in Archaeology

I am a Prehistoric Archaeologist, working as a Professor in Helsinki since 2018 and specializing in the European Neolithic and Bronze Age, for which periods I focus on current prehistoric top themes such as mobility, identity, ethnicity, ideology etc. I promote, whenever possible, the application of natural sciences in Archaeology and regularly incorporate scientific methods in my own research. Besides other undertakings, I am the overall PI of the European Research Council (ERC) Advanced project no. 788616 – ‘The Yamnaya Impact on Prehistoric Europe’ (YMPACT). 

Volker Heyd's profile on the University of Helsinki people finder

Associate Professor in Archaeology

My research interests are mainly in human-animal relationships, past environments and fauna, bioarchaeology and various social and material aspects of Stone Age human societies.

Kristiina Mannermaa's profile on the University of Helsinki people finder

University Lecturer

My research interests focus on prehistoric worldview and identity, particularly as expressed through various forms of art, such as rock paintings and engravings. Although much of my work focuses on the small-scale hunter-gatherer societies of Northern Europe, I have also worked extensively in the Near East, and I am currently the vice-director of a Academy of Finland Centre of Excellence (2018-2025) on Ancient Near Eastern Empires.

Antti Lahelma's profile on the University of Helsinki people finder

Assistant Professor in Maritime Archaeology

I am interested in maritime cultural landscapes, and am currently focusing in relating climate, environment, and culture change to each other being particularly drawn to the construction of island identities. I have an extensive fieldwork experience and a fascination in the development of innovative techniques for the presentation of archaeological sites to public and professional audiences.

Kristin Ilves' profile on the Univesity of Helsinki people finder 

Docent, Laboratory Coordinator

My research focuses on archaeological materials science, ancient craft technologies, and identifying skills transfer and mobility of objects and people in archaeological data.

Elisabeth Holmqvist-Sipilä's profile on the University of Helsinki people finder

University Teacher

My main research interests include settlement archaeology from the Iron Age to the Early Modern Period and fieldwork methodology, especially GIS.

Tuuli Heinonen's profile on the University of Helsinki people finder

Postdoctoral Researcher

I am interested in the ways immaterial aspects of life, such as religion, storytelling and social relationships, materialize in the archaeological record. In addition, my research interests lies in ritual and mortuary archaeology.

Marja Ahola's profile on the University of Helsinki people finder

Postdoctoral Researcher

I am specialized in animal hair and fibre identification, soil sample analysis, bioarchaeology  and microarchaeology.

Tuija Kirkinen's profile on the University of Helsinki people finder

University Researcher

My research concentrates on developing an interdisciplinary methodology in the study of ancient architecture, combining geoarchaeology, building archaeology and social anthropology. I work in the Mediterranean region, Africa and Asia with research interests in earthen architecture, knowledge of production, identity construction and community archaeology.

Marta Lorenzon's profile on the University of Helsinki people finder

Postdoctoral Researcher

My current research interests include hunter-fisher-gatherer archaeology of northern Europe (especially the Baltic region and Russia), their settlement, subsistence and adoption and spread of technologies and material cultures.

Kerkko Nordqvist's profile on the University of Helsinki people finder

University Researcher

My interests include social and economic history during the Middle Ages, and in general the application of digital humanities methodologies in archaeological and historical research.

Eljas Oksanen's profile on the University of Helsinki people finder

Postdoctoral Researcher

My interest is on Prehistoric Europe and mortuary archaeology. I am currently researching 3rd millennium BC Yamnaya burials.

Bianca Preda-Bălănică's profile on the University of Helsinki people finder

Academy Research Fellow

My research interests include sound archaeology, sound studies and prehistory of music and musical instruments.

Riitta Rainio's profile on the University of Helsinki people finder

Postdoctoral researcher

My research interests are human-environment interactions in maritime spaces, maritime archaeology, and shipping logistics, especially in Southeast Asia.

Veronica Walker Vadillo's profile on the University of Helsinki people finder

Postdoctoral Researcher

My research interests range from subjects of terrestrial and maritime archaeology from the period of Classical Antiquity to issues of modern maritime history and ethnography. I am an advocate for sustainability and taking action to confront the climate emergency. With my research I would like to encourage further cooperation and dialogue between the humanities, science and the general public.

Katerina Velentza’s profile on the University of Helsinki people finder

Postdoctoral researcher

I specialize in mortuary archaeology and research of Iron Age, Medieval, and Post-Medieval burials. I am also interested in how microarchaeology and the study of individuals may open new windows into the past and create more nuanced information about it. I have also experience from fieldwork, collaboration with metal detectorists, and I am also interested in object studies and the ethics of working with human remains. I currently work in the Kinura project, in which I study kinship systems, exogamy practices, female mobility in the Baltic Sea Region in the Iron Age.

Ulla Moilanen's profile on the University of Helsinki people finder