Ristimäki, Archaeological church ruins and grave field in Kaarina, Finland
Ristimäki is an archaeological site containing church foundations and approximately 400 graves arranged in a systematic pattern near the Aura River valley. The burial ground is open and flat, with graves lying underground and no visible structures above the surface.
Excavations between 2010 and 2016 uncovered Finland's first identified church, built in the late 12th century and abandoned by the mid-13th century. The site demonstrates how early Christian communities in Finland established places of worship and burial.
The burial site reveals how funeral customs changed over time, with graves containing brooches, buckles, and colored pearl strings that show what people wore. These finds offer insight into daily life and the adornment practices of the community.
The site is open and accessible, located in a quiet rural area that is easy to reach on foot. The best time to visit is from spring through fall, when the weather is mild and the landscape is visible.
An Iron Age costume called the Ravattula costume was reconstructed using materials and evidence found in a woman's grave at the site. This reconstruction shows how people dressed during that era and what textiles and ornaments they wore.
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