Pappilanmäki, Hügel in Finnland
Pappilanmäki is a small hill in Eura that covers an ancient burial ground dating to the Iron Age and Viking periods. Beneath its grassy surface lie graves, scattered soil layers, and archaeological deposits that reveal how people were laid to rest over many centuries.
The hill served as a burial ground from the Iron Age through the Viking period, reflecting centuries of continuous use. When a clergy house was built on the slope in the 1800s, workers discovered an ornate sword and other artifacts that suggested the site held significant social standing in ancient times.
The name Pappilanmäki comes from the clergy house built on the slope during the 1800s. The hill served as a meeting point where both ancient burial traditions and later community life left their marks on the landscape.
The site is accessible on foot with gentle slopes that are easy to walk around, though the terrain is grassy and uneven in places. Since parts of the hill remain occupied as a residence and graves lie beneath the surface, visitors should remain on informal paths and respect the protected status of the archaeological zone.
Excavations beneath the clergy house uncovered an ornate 13th-century sword with silver and gold decoration, its sheath adorned with a fish-like head design. This rare discovery ranks among the finest Crusade-era artifacts found in Finland and hints at long-distance trade connections.
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