The present article illuminates the path of Ella Kivikoski (1901–1990), professor of Archaeology ... more The present article illuminates the path of Ella Kivikoski (1901–1990), professor of Archaeology in Finland. It outlines her career, from her museum work to her doctorate and university professorship, as well as her research and teaching work. At her time, there were only a few references to Kivikoski in encyclopedias or personal galleries. Her jubilee book Honos Ella Kivikoski (Sarvas and Siiriäinen 1973) consists of archaeological articles by Kivikoski’s students and colleagues but does not contain biographical information. Marianne Schauman-Lönnqvist (2004), Kivikoski’s student, later published an article ”Woman in Archaeology – Ella Kivikoski, a Researcher and Teacher” in Finnish including her bibliography. Until recently, the article has been the only larger treatise on Kivikoski’s life and career, along with the national biography (Huurre 2005) and academic obituaries. However, Kivikoski has been completely forgotten in international works on pioneering women in Archaeology, with the exception of Swedish references (see Arwill-Nordbladh 2001).
ISPRS Annals of the photogrammetry, Remote Sensin and Spatial Information Sciences, 2023
Our digital modeling in 3D aims to visualize Neolithic crafted skulls found in the Near East for ... more Our digital modeling in 3D aims to visualize Neolithic crafted skulls found in the Near East for their preservation and study taking into account both the possibilities of skull deformation in vivo as well as crafting them postmortem. Decapitation and burying or caching human skulls is met already in Palaeolithic contexts. Postmortem cranial crafting by drilling and carving, or modelling with plaster and asphalt using human skulls as basis was practiced in the Near East during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic and Late Neolithic period. The first examples of plastered human skulls were discovered at Jericho in the 1950s, then belonging to Jordan, after which to Israel and now to the Palestinian territories. Similar skulls were later found in various sites in the Near East. The examples digitally reconstructed here include skulls from Göbekli Tepe and Köşk Höyük found in Turkey, from the cave at Nahal Hemar at the Dead Sea in the Judean mountains of Israel and skulls from Jericho in the Palestinian territories. Both drawings and photographs were used in digitally reconstructing the skulls in 3D. The Blender software allowed us to sculpt the complex shape of the skull from a base mesh. Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) rendering sped up rendering thanks to Nvidia graphics cards. UV mapping was carried out for importing the texture. The visualization enabled us to make further anthropological observations. Beside the generally acknowledged Neolithic "skull cult" we also wish briefly to discuss other reasons for the phenomena and practices.
A ruined fort rises at Tabus on the north-eastern edge of Jebel Bishri in Central Syria. The fort... more A ruined fort rises at Tabus on the north-eastern edge of Jebel Bishri in Central Syria. The fort which is situated c. 25 km north-west of the city of Deir ez-Zor along the road to Aleppo overlooks the Valley of the Euphrates. The fort is roughly triangular in layout covering c. 300 m x 80 m x 100 m. It
Book Review on Paleopersepolis: Environment, Landscape and Society in Ancient Fars, eds. Balatti,... more Book Review on Paleopersepolis: Environment, Landscape and Society in Ancient Fars, eds. Balatti, Silvia, Klinkott, Hilmar, Wiesehöfer, Josef. Orient et Occidens, Studien zu antiken Kulturkontakten und ihren Nachleben 33. Suttgart: Franz Steiner Verlag 2021.
Att förstöra kulturarv är att förstöra minnet. I den legendariska parken Monrepos i Viborg håller... more Att förstöra kulturarv är att förstöra minnet. I den legendariska parken Monrepos i Viborg håller minnet på att gå förlorat.
Päätyikö ristiinnaulittu Jeesuksen ruumis roomalaisen tavan mukaan joukkohautaan? Kristinuskon pe... more Päätyikö ristiinnaulittu Jeesuksen ruumis roomalaisen tavan mukaan joukkohautaan? Kristinuskon peruspilareita horjuttaneen dosentti Matti Myllykosken tutkimusväitteiden vedenpitävyyttä puntaroi arkeologi Minna Lönnqvist
A popular article on the archaeological excavations at Salahmi ironworks in Central Finland inclu... more A popular article on the archaeological excavations at Salahmi ironworks in Central Finland including an infowindow on Industrial Archaeology
A Finnish book on Tutankhamen written by Minna Silver, a professional archaeologist, is appearing... more A Finnish book on Tutankhamen written by Minna Silver, a professional archaeologist, is appearing for the 100th anniversary of the opening of the tomb appearing in early September 2022 by Gaudeeamus, Helsinki University Press. The English translation, the title of which is still open, is appearing during the autumn 2022. The book contains an archaeological approach, somewhat differing from egyptological one, to the documentation and preservation of the tomb as well as special aspects to Tutankhamen's geneology, food and textiles. Critical aspects are raised on colonial attitudes in early interpretions on the boy-Pharaoh and his legacy.
Challenges, Strategies and High-tech Applications for Saving the Cutltural Heritage of Syria, 2022
The Finnish archaeological survey and mapping project SYGIS worked under the present author in th... more The Finnish archaeological survey and mapping project SYGIS worked under the present author in the mountainous region of Jebel Bishri in Syria in 2000–2010 executing remote-sensing methods, fieldwork and GIS in mapping as well as producing 3D landscape models The aim was to document and study a vulnerable spatial boundary zone between the Syrian Desert and irrigated agricultural fields of the Euphrates Valley. Using the collected data, the purpose was to study nomadic and sedentary cultures, their interaction and how they were affected by those environments The project was an early initiative regarding use of GIS in Syria, also providing a GIS course to the members of the Syrian antiquities authority In addition, a research training course and seminar were arranged by SYGIS for Nordic PhD students in Syria In the 1980s and 1990s new methods, largely based on ethnoarchaeological observations, were developed to study the archaeological remains of the nomads, from which the project was able to benefit by applying these approaches afresh. Satellite imagery was used in studying environmental changes and prospecting ancient sites that were checked and documented in situ Materials such as Landsat and QuickBird images were used, fusing them with radar data from the X-SAR mission and ASTER-DEM in order to create landscape models The project highlights the importance of documenting and preserving mobile cultures, such as those of hunter-gatherers and pastoral nomads. Bedouins are part of the Syrian culture and they are the followers of past pastoral nomads in the region
The present article illuminates the path of Ella Kivikoski (1901–1990), professor of Archaeology ... more The present article illuminates the path of Ella Kivikoski (1901–1990), professor of Archaeology in Finland. It outlines her career, from her museum work to her doctorate and university professorship, as well as her research and teaching work. At her time, there were only a few references to Kivikoski in encyclopedias or personal galleries. Her jubilee book Honos Ella Kivikoski (Sarvas and Siiriäinen 1973) consists of archaeological articles by Kivikoski’s students and colleagues but does not contain biographical information. Marianne Schauman-Lönnqvist (2004), Kivikoski’s student, later published an article ”Woman in Archaeology – Ella Kivikoski, a Researcher and Teacher” in Finnish including her bibliography. Until recently, the article has been the only larger treatise on Kivikoski’s life and career, along with the national biography (Huurre 2005) and academic obituaries. However, Kivikoski has been completely forgotten in international works on pioneering women in Archaeology, with the exception of Swedish references (see Arwill-Nordbladh 2001).
ISPRS Annals of the photogrammetry, Remote Sensin and Spatial Information Sciences, 2023
Our digital modeling in 3D aims to visualize Neolithic crafted skulls found in the Near East for ... more Our digital modeling in 3D aims to visualize Neolithic crafted skulls found in the Near East for their preservation and study taking into account both the possibilities of skull deformation in vivo as well as crafting them postmortem. Decapitation and burying or caching human skulls is met already in Palaeolithic contexts. Postmortem cranial crafting by drilling and carving, or modelling with plaster and asphalt using human skulls as basis was practiced in the Near East during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic and Late Neolithic period. The first examples of plastered human skulls were discovered at Jericho in the 1950s, then belonging to Jordan, after which to Israel and now to the Palestinian territories. Similar skulls were later found in various sites in the Near East. The examples digitally reconstructed here include skulls from Göbekli Tepe and Köşk Höyük found in Turkey, from the cave at Nahal Hemar at the Dead Sea in the Judean mountains of Israel and skulls from Jericho in the Palestinian territories. Both drawings and photographs were used in digitally reconstructing the skulls in 3D. The Blender software allowed us to sculpt the complex shape of the skull from a base mesh. Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) rendering sped up rendering thanks to Nvidia graphics cards. UV mapping was carried out for importing the texture. The visualization enabled us to make further anthropological observations. Beside the generally acknowledged Neolithic "skull cult" we also wish briefly to discuss other reasons for the phenomena and practices.
A ruined fort rises at Tabus on the north-eastern edge of Jebel Bishri in Central Syria. The fort... more A ruined fort rises at Tabus on the north-eastern edge of Jebel Bishri in Central Syria. The fort which is situated c. 25 km north-west of the city of Deir ez-Zor along the road to Aleppo overlooks the Valley of the Euphrates. The fort is roughly triangular in layout covering c. 300 m x 80 m x 100 m. It
Book Review on Paleopersepolis: Environment, Landscape and Society in Ancient Fars, eds. Balatti,... more Book Review on Paleopersepolis: Environment, Landscape and Society in Ancient Fars, eds. Balatti, Silvia, Klinkott, Hilmar, Wiesehöfer, Josef. Orient et Occidens, Studien zu antiken Kulturkontakten und ihren Nachleben 33. Suttgart: Franz Steiner Verlag 2021.
Att förstöra kulturarv är att förstöra minnet. I den legendariska parken Monrepos i Viborg håller... more Att förstöra kulturarv är att förstöra minnet. I den legendariska parken Monrepos i Viborg håller minnet på att gå förlorat.
Päätyikö ristiinnaulittu Jeesuksen ruumis roomalaisen tavan mukaan joukkohautaan? Kristinuskon pe... more Päätyikö ristiinnaulittu Jeesuksen ruumis roomalaisen tavan mukaan joukkohautaan? Kristinuskon peruspilareita horjuttaneen dosentti Matti Myllykosken tutkimusväitteiden vedenpitävyyttä puntaroi arkeologi Minna Lönnqvist
A popular article on the archaeological excavations at Salahmi ironworks in Central Finland inclu... more A popular article on the archaeological excavations at Salahmi ironworks in Central Finland including an infowindow on Industrial Archaeology
A Finnish book on Tutankhamen written by Minna Silver, a professional archaeologist, is appearing... more A Finnish book on Tutankhamen written by Minna Silver, a professional archaeologist, is appearing for the 100th anniversary of the opening of the tomb appearing in early September 2022 by Gaudeeamus, Helsinki University Press. The English translation, the title of which is still open, is appearing during the autumn 2022. The book contains an archaeological approach, somewhat differing from egyptological one, to the documentation and preservation of the tomb as well as special aspects to Tutankhamen's geneology, food and textiles. Critical aspects are raised on colonial attitudes in early interpretions on the boy-Pharaoh and his legacy.
Challenges, Strategies and High-tech Applications for Saving the Cutltural Heritage of Syria, 2022
The Finnish archaeological survey and mapping project SYGIS worked under the present author in th... more The Finnish archaeological survey and mapping project SYGIS worked under the present author in the mountainous region of Jebel Bishri in Syria in 2000–2010 executing remote-sensing methods, fieldwork and GIS in mapping as well as producing 3D landscape models The aim was to document and study a vulnerable spatial boundary zone between the Syrian Desert and irrigated agricultural fields of the Euphrates Valley. Using the collected data, the purpose was to study nomadic and sedentary cultures, their interaction and how they were affected by those environments The project was an early initiative regarding use of GIS in Syria, also providing a GIS course to the members of the Syrian antiquities authority In addition, a research training course and seminar were arranged by SYGIS for Nordic PhD students in Syria In the 1980s and 1990s new methods, largely based on ethnoarchaeological observations, were developed to study the archaeological remains of the nomads, from which the project was able to benefit by applying these approaches afresh. Satellite imagery was used in studying environmental changes and prospecting ancient sites that were checked and documented in situ Materials such as Landsat and QuickBird images were used, fusing them with radar data from the X-SAR mission and ASTER-DEM in order to create landscape models The project highlights the importance of documenting and preserving mobile cultures, such as those of hunter-gatherers and pastoral nomads. Bedouins are part of the Syrian culture and they are the followers of past pastoral nomads in the region
"Mehr Licht", More Light, Piu Luce - Studia in honorem Arja Karivieri, 2020
The present volume is dedicated to Arja Karivieri, professor of Classical Archaeology and Ancient... more The present volume is dedicated to Arja Karivieri, professor of Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at the University of Stockholm and director of Institutum Romanum Finlandiae, Villa Lante in Rome, to celebrate her 60th birthday. In this volume you will find contributions of her colleagues and friends who were invited to write papers that deal with various aspects close to Arja Karivieri in research and in more personal memories.
This book provides a visual reconstruction of Palmyra, a World Heritage Site situated in Syria, w... more This book provides a visual reconstruction of Palmyra, a World Heritage Site situated in Syria, which flourished in Greco-Roman times. Palmyra is situated in a desert oasis and served as a vibrant caravan station on the Silk Road connecting the Roman world with the East. It has been called 'the Queen of the Desert' and 'Venice of the Sands'.In 2015-2016 the city was conquered by ISIS who destroyed its monuments and museum, also killing several of its inhabitants. Their aim was to erase the memory and identity of the place, its people and our common heritage. However, through the use of modern technology including photogrammetry, digital imagery and 3D modelling, it has been possible to recreate the documented monuments, thus overcoming to some extent the trauma, cultural destruction and loss. The book unveils the rediscovery of the site by the West and revives and reconstructs the ancient city through images and history. The reader is taken through the spectacular city and its past by providing the information to follow the roots and development of the site, its monuments and its people through the ages, including rulers such as Queen Zenobia. The combination of visualization and written accounts interlink the environment and its people, the monuments and archaeological small finds by using ancient written sources, old photographs, new imagery, 3D models and 3D printing. Thus this ancient site and its past is revived in multiple dimensions. Monuments are visualized as digitally reconstructed ruins or as complete virtual models. This text is therefore the perfect guide for readers who wish to immerse themselves visually in the history of the area and to discover more about the archaeology and its preservation using diverse methods employing modern technology.
ANCIENT JERICHO -TELL ES-SULTAN From First Settlers to an Urban Site in Changing Situations, 2019
This is the abstract booklet of the Jericho conference that took place on the 14th and 15th of J... more This is the abstract booklet of the Jericho conference that took place on the 14th and 15th of June, 2019 in Helsinki, Finland
Hazards for tangible cultural heritage, such as historical and archaeological remains, can vary f... more Hazards for tangible cultural heritage, such as historical and archaeological remains, can vary from natural catastrophes, environmental changes to human caused mismanagement and destruction. The importance of detailed documentation especially actualizes in the areas and cases that have become neglected and have faced destruction or loss. A strategy that can adapt the heritage documentation in 3D is needed. CIPA under ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites under UNESCO) and ISPRS (International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing), is providing expertise in developing the best technical means for heritage documentation. The aim of this workshop is to provide this expertise to save and revive the heritage of Syria and to share ideas for the benefit of comparable cases. The Near East has been under severe turmoil over the past years, and Syria like Iraq has become the battlefield of various groups. This cradle of human civilization has faced war, destruction and looting of its heritage, the heritage that also belongs to the whole humankind. Remote-sensing, 3D technologies and methods based on laser and digital data capture are increasingly showing their applicability and potential to trace, retrieve and save valuable information to be studied and left for posterity. Organizers: Minna SILVER Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities 90014 University of Oulu, Finland minna.silver@helsinki.fi minnaangelina@artuklu.edu.tr Michael DONEUS Institut für Urgeschichte & Historische Archäologie University of Vienna 1190 Vienna, Austria michael.doneus@univie.ac.at
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Papers by Minna A Silver (Lönnqvist)
(2004), Kivikoski’s student, later published an article ”Woman in Archaeology – Ella Kivikoski, a Researcher and Teacher” in Finnish including her bibliography. Until recently, the article has been the only larger treatise on Kivikoski’s life and career, along with the national biography (Huurre 2005) and academic obituaries. However, Kivikoski has been completely forgotten in international works on pioneering women in Archaeology, with the exception of Swedish references
(see Arwill-Nordbladh 2001).
mountainous region of Jebel Bishri in Syria in 2000–2010 executing remote-sensing methods, fieldwork and GIS
in mapping as well as producing 3D landscape models The aim was to document and study a vulnerable spatial
boundary zone between the Syrian Desert and irrigated agricultural fields of the Euphrates Valley. Using the collected
data, the purpose was to study nomadic and sedentary cultures, their interaction and how they were affected by
those environments The project was an early initiative regarding use of GIS in Syria, also providing a GIS course
to the members of the Syrian antiquities authority In addition, a research training course and seminar were arranged
by SYGIS for Nordic PhD students in Syria In the 1980s and 1990s new methods, largely based on ethnoarchaeological
observations, were developed to study the archaeological remains of the nomads, from which the project was
able to benefit by applying these approaches afresh. Satellite imagery was used in studying environmental changes
and prospecting ancient sites that were checked and documented in situ Materials such as Landsat and QuickBird
images were used, fusing them with radar data from the X-SAR mission and ASTER-DEM in order to create landscape
models The project highlights the importance of documenting and preserving mobile cultures, such as those
of hunter-gatherers and pastoral nomads. Bedouins are part of the Syrian culture and they are the followers of past
pastoral nomads in the region
(2004), Kivikoski’s student, later published an article ”Woman in Archaeology – Ella Kivikoski, a Researcher and Teacher” in Finnish including her bibliography. Until recently, the article has been the only larger treatise on Kivikoski’s life and career, along with the national biography (Huurre 2005) and academic obituaries. However, Kivikoski has been completely forgotten in international works on pioneering women in Archaeology, with the exception of Swedish references
(see Arwill-Nordbladh 2001).
mountainous region of Jebel Bishri in Syria in 2000–2010 executing remote-sensing methods, fieldwork and GIS
in mapping as well as producing 3D landscape models The aim was to document and study a vulnerable spatial
boundary zone between the Syrian Desert and irrigated agricultural fields of the Euphrates Valley. Using the collected
data, the purpose was to study nomadic and sedentary cultures, their interaction and how they were affected by
those environments The project was an early initiative regarding use of GIS in Syria, also providing a GIS course
to the members of the Syrian antiquities authority In addition, a research training course and seminar were arranged
by SYGIS for Nordic PhD students in Syria In the 1980s and 1990s new methods, largely based on ethnoarchaeological
observations, were developed to study the archaeological remains of the nomads, from which the project was
able to benefit by applying these approaches afresh. Satellite imagery was used in studying environmental changes
and prospecting ancient sites that were checked and documented in situ Materials such as Landsat and QuickBird
images were used, fusing them with radar data from the X-SAR mission and ASTER-DEM in order to create landscape
models The project highlights the importance of documenting and preserving mobile cultures, such as those
of hunter-gatherers and pastoral nomads. Bedouins are part of the Syrian culture and they are the followers of past
pastoral nomads in the region
catastrophes, environmental changes to human caused mismanagement and destruction. The importance
of detailed documentation especially actualizes in the areas and cases that have become neglected
and have faced destruction or loss. A strategy that can adapt the heritage documentation in 3D is
needed. CIPA under ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites under UNESCO) and ISPRS
(International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing), is providing expertise in developing the
best technical means for heritage documentation. The aim of this workshop is to provide this expertise
to save and revive the heritage of Syria and to share ideas for the benefit of comparable cases. The Near
East has been under severe turmoil over the past years, and Syria like Iraq has become the battlefield of
various groups. This cradle of human civilization has faced war, destruction and looting of its heritage,
the heritage that also belongs to the whole humankind. Remote-sensing, 3D technologies and methods
based on laser and digital data capture are increasingly showing their applicability and potential to trace,
retrieve and save valuable information to be studied and left for posterity.
Organizers:
Minna SILVER
Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities
90014 University of Oulu, Finland
minna.silver@helsinki.fi
minnaangelina@artuklu.edu.tr
Michael DONEUS
Institut für Urgeschichte & Historische Archäologie
University of Vienna
1190 Vienna, Austria
michael.doneus@univie.ac.at