Reporting archaeological finds
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Reporting archaeological finds
On land and in water, people often find objects (or fragments of objects) made by people in the past, as well as archaeological sites.
Any fixed archaeological remains found on land must be reported without delay to the Finnish Heritage Agency. The same applies to objects and fragments found on land or in water that are 100 years old or older.
If the found object is less than 100 years old and its owner is unknown, it is considered lost property as defined by the Lost Property Act (778/1988). Matters related to lost property are handled with the police. Military material dating from after World War I must be reported to the defense, police, border, or customs authorities.
Under the Antiquities Act (295/1963), the discovery of a wreck or part of a wreck believed to have sunk over a hundred years ago must be reported promptly to the Finnish Heritage Agency.
Anyone who discovers a warship wreck that sank less than 100 years ago, or movable property belonging to such a wreck, must report the discovery to the Military Museum. Warship wrecks located in Finnish territorial waters are under the control of the Finnish Defense Forces, regardless of nationality. The Military Museum may grant diving permits for these wrecks.
What should I do at a discovery site on land?
Examine the structures, topography, soil, and surrounding vegetation at the site. Record your observations and take photographs of the site.
Do not dig the soil, dismantle structures/remains, or otherwise damage the site in order to determine its age or purpose more precisely or to find artefacts.
What should I do when I find an archaeological site in the water?
If you discover an old wreck, a partial wreck, a pier structure or another archaeological object in water, on the shore or in wetlands, observe its appearance, size and material. Record the depth and make notes on seabed quality and the surrounding environment; if possible, take photographs or make a drawing, and write your notes down as soon as possible (e.g., immediately after the dive).
Do not dig, move, or dismantle any structures or buildings at the discovery site, nor lift any objects out of the water. Objects and structures that have been submerged for a long time will be damaged or may even be destroyed if they dry out uncontrollably without proper conservation.
What should I do if I find an object or fragments of an object?
Examine the structures, landforms, soil, or lake bottom, as well as the surrounding environment, at the discovery site, both on land and in the water. Record your observations and take photographs of the site.
Do not dig at the site to uncover additional finds. The site may contain fixed archaeological remains protected under the Antiquities Act. You may not excavate a fixed archaeological monument without a permit issued under the law.
If the object is fragile and at risk of breaking, you may leave it in the ground and simply report the details of the find.
Deliver finds to the Finnish Heritage Agency uncleaned. Do not remove materials adhering to the object, and avoid handling it unnecessarily. Pack the object for transport so that it cannot move.
More detailed instructions for submitting artefact finds are available on the Finnish Heritage Agency’s website (artefact reporting/submission instructions).
Ilppari Reporting Service
Archaeological finds observed on land and in water should be reported to the Finnish Heritage Agency via the Ilppari reporting and feedback service. Ilppari is available in the Cultural Environment Service Window: www.kyppi.fi/ilppari.
Once a report is received, it is determined whether the items in question are movable ancient artifacts as defined by the Antiquities Act (295/1963). If necessary, the reporter will receive additional information and instructions, such as how to proceed at the discovery site.
Instead of Ilppari, find information can also be reported to a responsible regional museum or to the Finnish Heritage Agency’s registry: kirjaamo@museovirasto.fi.
When submitting a report, include:
- Describe the find and the discovery site as precisely as possible: terrain/landscape forms, soil, any structures you observed, and the surrounding environment/vegetation.
- Provide the exact location of the site and, if possible, specify the location data using the ETRS-TM35FIN coordinate system. For underwater sites, you may also provide the location using the WGS84 coordinate system. You may also draw a map of the site and submit it.
- Submit photographs of the site/object.