People

Professor in Archaeology

My research focuses on zooarchaeology, hunter-gatherer lifeways, human–animal interactions, and prehistoric mortuary practices. It is interdisciplinary, combining osteology, material studies, and ecological approaches. I lead the HOARD research group at the University of Helsinki, which develops sustainable infrastructures for archaeological research. Current projects include Animals Make Identities (2020–2026), which examines the role of animals in hunter-gatherer identity formation, and aDOME (2025–2029), which investigates the early phases of horse and domestic bird husbandry in Northern Europe. I specialize in the prehistory and early history of Northern and Northeastern Europe and maintain extensive international research networks.

Professor in Archaeology

Mika Lavento is the Professor of Archaeology since 2004. He is an internationally oriented researcher with field work experience from Greece, Jordan, Siberia, Central Russia and the Karelian Isthmus together with a few of his students and PhD researchers. Since his early career, Mika has been keen on pottery with special focus in Early Metal Age Textile ceramics (dated from late 3rd millennium BCE to the 6th century CE in Fennoscandia). His interest of research has covered Finno-Ugrian studies, quaternary geology, mineralogy, theoretical philosophy, musicology. An important part of research are projects and working with students on various levels.

Tenure-Track Professor in Maritime Archaeology

Kristin Ilves is Tenure-Track Professor of Maritime Archaeology. She studied archaeology in Estonia and Sweden (PhD, Uppsala University, 2012) and joined Helsinki in 2018. Her expertise lies in maritime cultural landscapes, with a particular interest in the construction of island identities through time. She combines theoretical insights with empirical research and draws on interdisciplinary perspectives, including history, environmental studies and scientific approaches within archaeology, exploring topics such as Nordic Late Iron Age and Early Medieval settlement and mobility in the Baltic Sea region. Through her teaching and research, she promotes multidisciplinary and inclusive approaches in maritime archaeology.

University Lecturer

Antti Lahelma is a University Lecturer in archaeology. He received his PhD from the University of Helsinki in 2008 with a dissertation on the Neolithic rock paintings of Finland, has held a permanent research-teaching position since 2013 and earned the title of Docent in 2015. A specialist in Finnish prehistory, world rock art, and the archaeology of Jordan, his research interests also include classical Graeco-Roman traditions and theoretical archaeology. He has also authored major museum exhibition scripts, including the permanent prehistory gallery at the Finnish National Museum, and published extensively on topics including prehistoric cosmology, identity, and human-environment relations. His recent books (co-authored with Prof. Vesa-Pekka Herva) include Northern Archaeology and Cosmology: A Relational View (Routledge, 2020) and Weirding Civilization: The Strange Foundations of the Modern World (Routledge, 2025).

Docent, Laboratory Coordinator

Elisabeth Holmqvist-Sipilä, PhD, works as a university researcher and coordinator of the Archaeology laboratory at the University of Helsinki. She is a docent at the Universities of Helsinki and Turku and holds a PhD from the Institute of Archaeology, University College London. Since 2012, she has held numerous teaching and research positions at the University of Helsinki, including lecturer of archaeology, and fellowships of Helsinki Collegium of Advanced Studies and Research Council of Finland. Her expertise lies in archaeological science, and she has published widely on ancient artefacts, materials, technologies, trade and mobility, particularly in the Baltic Sea surroundings and the Near East.

University Lecturer

Wesa Perttola serves as a university instructor in archaeology and is currently on research leave until autumn 2026. He holds an MA degree in archaeology from the University of Helsinki. Wesa’s areas of expertise and teaching responsibilities encompass fieldwork methodologies, the technical tools employed in archaeological field practice, and geographic information systems (GIS). In recent years, his research has focused on the modelling of sailing and related analytical approaches.

Laboratory Coordinator

I am a staff member at the University of Helsinki and work as a laboratory coordinator. I am responsible for the operation of the archaeology laboratory and for chemical safety, and I provide guidance in technical issues related to the laboratory equipment. My educational background is in biology and archaeology, and I have also studied biological anthropology in the United States. My research interests focus on biosciences, forensic anthropology, and the development of methods in the field. I use computational methods in my research.

Substituting Elisabeth Holmqvist-Sipilä until the end of December 2026.

University Lecturer

I received my MA in Archaeology in 2023 at the University of Helsinki. I currently teach fieldwork methods, teaching excavations and archaeological surveying, as well as archaeological documentation methods and GIS.  My personal research focuses on human-nature relationships, environmental archaeology and wood sciences. I have a particular interest in anthracology i.e. analysing and identifying charcoaled wood.

Substituting Wesa Perttola until the end of August 2026.