Site Map: Sites 15-20

15. The Viking Age cemetery at Hirnilä in Rautjärvi.
The Hirnilä cemetery was discovered in 1937 while the stone foundation of a cattle barn was undergoing repairs. The burial cairn was examined in 1938. It contained burnt bone and objects belonging to the deceased: spearheads, battle-axes, a work axe, a puukko knife, and a bit, all of which are typical men's objects. A brooch and sickle, on the other hand, indicate a woman's grave. The cairn contained in all 3-4 burnt corpses, one of which was probably a woman. Judging from the objects, the grave dates from the time of the Vikings (800-1025/1050 A.D.). A second cairn was also investigated in the Hirnilä cape area. The stone pile turned out to be left from burning and clearing the woods for cultivation. The area has many cairns in addition to the two which have been examined. No dwelling site from the same period has yet been found in the Hirnilä vicinity.

Making use of the wilderness and settling on farms only began in South Karelia in the time of the Vikings. There may have been a settler's farmstead or wilderness station in the Hirnilä area, situated as it is beside good water routes.

Driving directions: Turn toward Uimola from Highway 6 and continue 3.2 km. Turn right on the narrow Torikantaipale road. Large automobiles should be parked along Uimolantie road. Continue 400 m. A path to the site starts on the right side of the road. At the mouth of the path there is enough room for 1-2 cars to park. The site is about 200 metres further by foot. .