Lectures and seminars Open symposium: Archaeological investigation of Finnish remains repatriated from KI

17-03-2026 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Add to iCal
Campus Solna Eva and Georg Klein Lecture Hall, Biomedicum
Archaeologist in protective clothing taking samples from repatriated remains on site in the new church in Pälkäne in the fall of 2024.
Repatriated remains from KI were examined by archaeologists on site in the new church in Pälkäne after repatriation. Photo: Saarni Säilynoja

In 2024, KI returned 82 remains from its historical anatomical collection to Finland. The majority of the remains came from the Pälkäne ruin cemetery, where they were excavated by KI professor Gustaf Retzius and his colleagues in 1873. A group of Finnish archaeologists has examined the remains and will visit KI on 17 March to present their findings.

The church ruin in the old cemetery in Pälkäne. This is where a large number of the total of 82 remains to be returned from KI to Finland come from.
The church ruin in the old cemetery in Pälkäne. This is where a large number of the total of 82 remains to be returned from KI to Finland come from. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The Finnish research team consists of Ulla Nordfors, Associate Professor of Archaeology, Sanni Peltola, Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Turku, and Ronan James O'Sullivan, Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Turku. The sampling they have carried out includes carbon 14, protein analyses, ancient DNA and analyses of hair and fibres. The aim of the study has been to gather information about who these individuals were and how they lived. 

The research group's presentation of the results will be followed by a panel discussion on the theme Bioarchaeology and anatomical collections: possibilities and challenges today and in the future. 

Panel members:
Ulla Nordfors, Associate Professor of Archaeology, University of Turku
Hugo Zeberg, Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, KI
Petter Hellström, Researcher at the Department of History of Ideas, Uppsala University
Olof Ljungström, Associate Professor of History of Ideas and Head of Department, History of Medicine and Cultural Heritage, KI.

Moderator: Maria Josephson.

Contact: Maria.Josephson@ki.se