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Project in a Nutshell

The project explores medieval roof structures of stone churches, which are the only remaining load-bearing medieval timber structures of Finland. These structures are a valuable part of the oldest heritage in Finland. The project uses a multidisciplinary toolkit to explore timber structures and the circulation of structural innovations in Late Medieval Northern Europe. The methods include historical research, building archaeology, architectural history, engineering, dendrochronology and experimental building archeology. In addition, the project explores medieval osteological remains found from church attics.

The project creates an overall documentation of the structures and produces research outputs about the medieval transfer and circulation of innovations, deforestation, wood species of the structures, new dendrochronological datings, reuse of older timber structures and carvings found in the structures. In addition, the project takes part in public science via documentary films, social media and events and articles intended for public.

Research Group

prof. Panu Savolainen (Project leader, medieval history and archaeology)

Doctoral researcher Ilari Aalto (archaeology)

Doctoral researcher Franziska Dalheimer (architecture, wood species analysis)

ELL, MA Vivi Deckwirth Vivi (osteology)

Architect, Conservation specialist Marko Huttunen (timber structures)

Doctoral researcher Laura Laine (architecture)

Architect Mia Puranen (fieldworks)

Conservation specialist Lauri Saarinen (timber structures)

Doctoral researcher Pauliina Saarinen (architecture)

MA Antti Seppänen (film director)

Associate professor Liisa Seppänen (archaeology, history, osteology)

Architect Miina Tolonen (fieldworks)

Prof. Tuomas Aakala (Dendrochronologist, University of Eastern Finland)

MSc Antti Haikala (engineering)

Publications (selection)

 Franziska & Aakala, Tuomas, 2024,

Savolainen, Panu; Seppänen, Liisa; Laine, Laura; Huttunen, Marko & Aakala, Tuomas, 2023

Savolainen, Panu; Seppänen, Liisa; Aalto, Ilari & Laine, Laura, 2023, Kirkko, papisto ja yhteiskunta 1600-1800. Viitaniemi, E. (toim.). Helsinki: .

Savolainen, Panu; Aakala, Tuomas; Huttunen, Marko; Laine, Laura; Wallenius, Tuomo & Viinikkala, Lauri, 2022,  

Saarinen, Pauliina; Huttunen, Marko; Laine, Laura; & Savolainen, Panu, 2022, Proceedings of 6th International Conference on Structural Health Assessment of Timber Structures. Kunecký, J. & Hasníková, H. (toim.). Prague: .

Savolainen, Panu, 2021, Kiertotalous rakennetussa ympäristössä. Huttunen, E. (toim.). Helsinki: .

Savolainen, Panu; Aakala, Tuomas, Huttunen, Marko; Laine, Laura; Puranen, Mia. & Saarinen, Pauliina, 2020, julkaisussa: .

Savolainen, Panu; Laine, Laura & Aalto, Ilari, 2020, julkaisussa: .