Prehistory All manner of research methods have been used in finding out about the prehistory of the nordic countries, but as of yet no set conclusions have been agreed upon. According to several research sources, there was a primitive culture called Komsa or Gorravá
All manner of research methods have been used in finding out about the prehistory of the nordic countries, but as of yet no set conclusions have been agreed upon. According to several research sources, there was a primitive culture called Komsa or Gorravárri. This culture has been located at the coast of the Arctic Ocean, and dates back to around 9 000 - 5 000 B.C. By its nature Komsa culture was a primative quartz culture and was connected with the Fosna culture, of the mid-Norwegian coast. In the light of present research, the Sami are the descendants of both these early cultures and of certain groups of people who migrated to Scandinavia at a later date.
From the Enontekiö region, in connection with inspections by the National Board of Antiquities and Historical Monuments, abundant hunting pits, stone age ruins, objects, seita stones, and worship and burial sites have been found. Several dwellings have been excavated, and they have been found to date back to pre-ceramic periods. The oldest remains have dated over 8,000 years old.
Most prehistorical findings in Enontekiö have been from the banks of Ounasjärvi lake and its surrounds, from the banks of the lakes of Muotkajärvi, Periläjärvi, Pöyrisjärvi, as well as the vicinity of Näkkälä village. Wild deer pits and dwellings have, however, been found throughout the whole region. The most significant discoveries from the northern bank of Ounasjärvi are Proksi’s field, located close to Hotel Hetta, and the museum site on the eastern shore of the lake. Proksi’s field dates back to the iron age and the museum site to the stone age. These findings are important for research into the whole of Lapland’s settlement history.
Archaelogical surveys of the Käsivarsi Wilderness Area have been few and far between. Where the rivers of Lätäseno and Könkämäeno meet (at the border of Finland and Sweden), is situated the site of Markkina’s old church, courthouse and market place. This site is one of Lapland’s most significant sites of prehistoric remains. Findings dating from the stone age have been found from the hill in Markkina, which point to the fact that there were already inhabitants in the area well before the stone age. The area is also significant, in that it has been mentioned in written documents since the beginning of the 15th Century. Markkina’s church was built in 1611. In the vicinity of the church there were church huts for visitors, as well as warehouses for traders. Markkina had become a significant governmental meeting place, where people would visit the court houses and from where taxes were collected. Many church books, diaries and taxation books have been preserved from these times. The place has also been described in many an explorer’s travel diary. Documents, which describe its buildings are, however, rather scarce. Excavations and research, by the National Board of Antiquities and Historical Monuments, have been made into the bases of the tepees in the area. Numerous stone age artefacts were found in the foundations of one timber