The hillfort
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Approximately 100 ancient hillforts are known in Finland. Most of them are in inaccessible locations such as high cliffs and ridges. During the Iron Age, the scalable slopes were fitted with log walls. The hillforts were in use from the 9th to the 13th century, during the periods known as the Viking Age and the Crusade Period. The Rapola hillfort in Valkeakoski differs from the others because of its exceptionally large size. It is located on the “bulge” of a moraine ridge. This feature is some 400 metres long and 200 metres wide and contains two glacially formed pits or sinkholes. The larger of the two sinkholes is 15 metres deep. Using these natural formations as a basis, a defensive structure was erected of which only the stone foundations of the log battlements survive today. Within the walls, archaeologists have discovered thirteen oven-like hearths, some ninety presumed house-pits, and several piles of stones probably intended as missiles. The fort had two identified gates, one at the outlet of the smaller sinkhole and one on the northwestern side of the larger one. Excavations have been carried out on the crest of the ridge in 1886, 1918, 1920, 1942 and 1988–89. The building period of the hillfort cannot be dated with any certainty. The fort was probably built during the late Iron Age. The hearths may have been in use until early medieval times, or the 13th-15th centuries. Only 1% of the area of the hillfort, however, has been excavated. The hillfort may not have been solely a place of refuge and defence but also a vantage point for the control and observation of surrounding areas. Drawing by I. J. Ingberg of the Rapola hillfort, 1871. National Board of Antiquities. |
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