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Four coffins dating from the period between the mid-18th and mid-19th centuries from Keminmaa in northern Ostrobothnian Finland were examined using computed-tomography (CT) scanning, a methodology with research applications for exploring human remains, coffins, and funerary textiles. The age and, in two cases, sex of the remains were estimated, and both historical sources and archaeological material suggest that socialization through gender was apparent in this collection. This article explores both the material testimony of care, dedication, and innocence of newborn and infant burials, as well as the socialization process and role of women adolescents in providing children’s funerary materials.

Natural mummification occurs in various favorable conditions. Cold environments have produced mummified human remains in northern Finland. These remains buried under the church floors mummified naturally probably through a process resembling freeze-drying. This chapter explores the conditions that led to the mummification of dozens and potentially hundreds of human remains. To conduct our study, we installed logging temperature and humidity measuring devices under the floors of three churches located by the shore of Bothnian Bay in northern Finland. Even our preliminary results show that the humidity and temperature conditions differ between these churches. It is also clear that relative humidity remains very high under the floors of each church. It appears that mummification has occurred in almost “cellar like” conditions. The preservation process was probably aided by the loose laid constructions allowing the air to freely move in the graves carrying the moisture from the remains. Do mumifikacji naturalnej dochodzi pod wpływem różnego rodzaju korzystnych warunków. W północnej Finlandii szczątki zostały zmumifikowane w chłodnym środowisku. Szczątki te, pochowane pod posadzką kościołów, zostały naturalnie zmumifikowane prawdopodobnie w procesie przypominającym liofilizację. Niniejszy tekst analizuje warunki, które doprowadziły do mumifikacji dziesiątek, a być może setek szczątków ludzkich. Na potrzeby badania pod posadzkami trzech kościołów na wybrzeżu Zatoki Botnickiej w północnej Finlandii zainstalowaliśmy urządzenia pomiarowe rejestrujące temperaturę i wilgotność. Już wstępne wyniki naszych badań wskazują, że wilgotność i temperatura różnią się w zależności od kościoła. Wyraźnie też widać, że wilgotność względna pod posadzką każdego z kościołów pozostaje bardzo wysoka. Wygląda na to, że do mumifikacji doszło w niemal piwnicznych warunkach. Proces konserwacji prawdopodobnie ułatwiły luźno rozmieszczone struktury, które umożliwiły swobodny przepływ powietrza w grobach, odprowadzając wilgoć.

Objective This paper explores the potential of analyzing pathological lesions and entheseal changes in the identification of working reindeer. Methods The skeletons of 26 modern working reindeer from Siberia and Northern Finland are analyzed for pathological lesions and entheseal changes. Results Working results in elevated frequencies of pathological lesions, specifically joint disease in cervical and thoracic vertebrae, humeri, os coxae and proximal phalanges. Entheseal scores indicate the intensified use of shoulder flexors and extensors, and possibly elbow, hip and knee flexors and extensors in working reindeer. Conclusion Patterns of skeletal changes can be used in the identification of working reindeer from the past. Significance This study provides first evidence that pathological lesions and entheseal changes can be used to assess draught and cargo use of reindeer. Therefore, the methods presented in this study provide an opportunity to scrutinize past reindeer herding practices, reindeer domestication and human-reindeer cooperation. Limitations Methods need to be applied with caution due to the multifactorial etiologies of pathological lesions and entheseal changes. Suggestions for future research We suggest that in future studies, these methods are applied to archaeological material accompanied by osteometric and contextual analyses.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate activity‐induced effects from bone geometric properties of the proximal femur in athletic vs nonathletic healthy females by statistically controlling for variation in body size, lower limb isometric, and dynamic muscle strength, and cross‐sectional area of Musculus gluteus maximus. Methods: The material consists of hip and proximal thigh magnetic resonance images of Finnish female athletes (N = 91) engaged in either high jump, triple jump, soccer, squash, powerlifting, endurance running or swimming, and a group of physically active nonathletic women (N = 20). Cross‐sectional bone geometric properties were calculated for the lesser trochanter, sub‐trochanter, and mid‐shaft of the femur regions. Bone geometric properties were analyzed using a general linear model that included body size, muscle size, and muscle strength as covariates. Results: Body size and isometric muscle strength were positively associated with bone geometric properties at all three cross‐sectional levels of the femur, while muscle size was positively associated with bone properties only at the femur mid‐shaft. When athletes were compared to nonathletic females, triple jump, soccer, and squash resulted in greater values in all studied cross‐sections; high jump and endurance running resulted in greater values at the femoral mid‐shaft cross‐section; and swimming resulted in lower values at sub‐trochanter and femur mid‐shaft cross‐sections. Conclusions: Activity effects from ground impact loading were associated with higher bone geometric values, especially at the femur mid‐shaft, but also at lesser and sub‐trochanter cross‐sections. Bone geometric properties along the femur can be used to assess the mechanical stimuli experienced, where ground impact loading seems to be more important than muscle loading.