Vapriikki Museum begins research on repatriated skulls from Pälkäne, Finland

Vapriikki Museum has initiated research on skulls from Pälkäne, Finland. After years of waiting, 82 skulls of Finnish individuals that were taken to Sweden for racial studies in the 19th century returned to Finland this week. The skulls were delivered to the new church in Pälkäne on Tuesday. Over the next two weeks, samples will be taken from the skulls, a process expected to take about half an hour for each skull.

Bone analyses conducted so far have helped determine the age and health of the deceased. The museum now aims to identify some of the individuals whose remains were repatriated. Notably, a couple of headdresses and small seeds were found with the remains.

These skulls were excavated in the name of racial studies by Swedish anthropologist and Karolinska Institute professor Gustaf Retzius in 1873. He believed that through measuring heads and skulls, he could prove that Finns did not share the same pure ancestry as other Scandinavians. Most of the skulls came from current graves around Pälkäne’s Ruins Church, with some originating from Joensuu, Pielavesi, and Rautalampi.

Identifying the individuals remains challenging; however, it’s confirmed that 45 of the skulls belonged to people from Pälkäne. Notably, Daniel Medelplan, a notable figure in local history, may be among these remains. Recent investigations reveal that one skull belonged to Anders Keinumäki, who had a complex legal history.

The research aims to provide insights into lifespan, health history, familial relationships, and dietary habits through dental tartar analysis. Ultimately, the remains are expected to be reinterred in their communities, with burial planned near the Ruins Church in Pälkäne this September.