Palynological investigations in the old town of Helsinki

Abstract

The main sites and palynological results obtained in 1989-1993 in connection with archaeological excavation in the Old Town of Helsinki, are briefly reported. The pollen analytical investigations focused on the cultural layer dating to approximately AD 1400-1700, on two former water wells, on the local river bed and on the bottom deposits of a former ditch while microfossil analysis was mainly made on the material from waste pits, wells and house areas. The results previously published confirm the interpretation made on corresponding material in other medieval towns of Finland.

Keywords

• paleoecology
• archaeological sites
• urban environment
• pollen analysis
• phytoliths
• macrofossils
• Medieval
• Helsinki
• Finland