Temperature and Humidity in the Base-floors of Three Northern Finnish Churches Containing 17th–19th-century Burials

Tiina Väre; Annemari Tranberg; Sanna Lipkin; Titta Kallio-Seppä; Lauri Väre; Juho-Antti Junno; Sirpa Niinimäki; Nora Nurminen; Anniina Kuha

doi:10.18778/0208-6034.35.12

Authors

Tiina Väre University of Oulu, Faculty of Humanities, Archaeology, Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6558-5359
Annemari Tranberg University of Oulu, Faculty of Humanities, Archaeology, Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9445-7703
Sanna Lipkin University of Oulu, Faculty of Humanities, Archaeology, Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4736-208X
Titta Kallio-Seppä Tornedalens museum, Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2127-2358
Lauri Väre University of Helsinki, Faculty of Science, Computer Science, Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7931-5766
Juho-Antti Junno University of Oulu, Faculty of Humanities, Archaeology & University of Oulu, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu, Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0481-6958
Sirpa Niinimäki University of Oulu, Faculty of Humanities, Archaeology, Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9510-5259
Nora Nurminen University of Oulu, Faculty of Humanities, Archaeology, Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7481-0431
Anniina Kuha University of Oulu, Faculty of Humanities, Archaeology & University of Oulu, Faculty of Science, Biology, Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5898-6074

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/0208-6034.35.12

Keywords:

Early modern, Church archaeology, mummification, Finland

Abstract

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.

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