Archaeological survey in Kaukola and Räisälä in 1999 and a study of environmental settings of the Stone Age dwelling sites in the area
Abstract
The former municipalities of Kaukola and Räisälä, located in the Karelian Isthmus, Russia, have been known to be rich in Stone Age sites and finds from the late 19th century on. This paper presents the general outline of the research history of the Stone Age and Early Metal Period and the results of an archaeological survey conducted in the area in 1999 by Finnish and Russian researchers. The paper also serves as a short study of the environmental settings of the Stone Age dwelling sites in the area. This analysis follows the method adopted in the studies of the Lake Saimaa area, Finland.
As a result, a tentative overview of preferred environments of Stone Age sites can be presented. In general, sheltered locations along the shores of bays and fjords were preferred. Areas on and around eskers, on the mainland coast, and on islands adjacent to coastal waterways were the most intensively used. Also junctions of several routes seem to have been utilized often.
There seem to be differences in the location of the sites classified as extended activity sites and as limited activity sites. The limited activity sites have more variation in their environmental settings, probably reflecting their more varied purposes. However, due to the shortcomings of the material used in this study, the question about the purpose, function, and duration of use of the sites cannot be concluded solely according to the criteria used here. Further research on their nature is necessary.
