Sommelo and Pukkisaari
Sommelo (est. 1997) is an ideological association with a purpose of furthering knowledge and research of the Finnish Prehistoric time especially concerning the later Iron Age (550-1150/1300 Common Era). The association is open for anyone to join and we gladly welcome new people to our activities. For more information, contact chairwoman Noora Salminen (harmaa.rakka -at- gmail.com).
Pukkisaari - An Iron Age Trading Place
Right beside the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum in Helsinki, Finland has been an ongoing construction project of a trading place from the latter Iron Age since 1998, where we can leap one thousand years back in time to explore life and cultural landscape. We treat modern people with almost extinct age-old traditions for and practice experimental archaeology.
Originally the project was viewed as an Iron Age village. However, the complex of the village needs a structure covering activities of the whole community, which, to be precise, cannot be credibly replicated. Additionally the archaeologists say that there has not typically been village habitation in island conditions so it has been seen reasonable to build an Iron Age Trading Place to Pukkisaari Island.
Trading places have usually situated in islands. Often trading places had no buildings at all, but on the other hand the livelier trading places had buildings used as storage, cooking and temporary housing. Trading place is suitable for Pukkisaari Island also in the regard that crafting is in a central role in the society's activities.
The periods of the latter Finnish Iron Age: 575-800 C.E. Merovingian Age, 800-1050 C.E. Viking Age and 1050-1300 Crusaders' Age.
Activities and open times
During Winter - Spring 2011, the market place is open in between 12-15 on 30 January, 26-27 February, 27 March, 17 April and 29-30 May. Summer opening schedules will be updated as soon as possible. Guided tours on request (Noora Salminen, harmaa.rakka - at - gmail.com).
We have two big yearly events: Hiiden Hirven Hiihto, an ancient biathlon competition, held on the Sunday preceding Shrove Tuesday and the Iron Age Market, held on the first weekend of September. In the year 2011, these will take place 6 March and 3-4 September, respectively.