A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Visibility analysis of Medieval and Early Modern period fire beacon sites in Turku Archipelago, Southwestern Finland
Authors: Saunaluoma, Sanna; Leppänen, Jere
Publisher: Suomen arkeologinen seura ry
Publication year: 2024
Journal: Fennoscandia Archaeologica
Journal name in source: Fennoscandia Archaeologica
Volume: 41
First page : 114
Last page: 134
ISSN: 0781-7126
eISSN: 2737-0135
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61258/fa.146794
Web address : https://doi.org/10.61258/fa.146794
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/477289726
A defense and guarding system consisting of fire beacon networks was commonly used in Scandinavian coastal areas from the Late Iron Age until the Early Modern period. A chain-like system of signal fire stations was established in locations strategically important for defense and activated if the threat of an enemy attack concretized. Historical sources evidence that the same defense system was also utilized in the archipelago and coastline of southern Finland. Also, certain place names are considered to reflect ancient warning fire activities. Using GIS-based analyses, we examine whether these place names in the Turku archipelago can be distinguished from other locations based on their visibility and topography. In addition, we investigate how visible other potential signal fire stations and certain sailing routes are from the sites selected for the analysis, and the possibility of them having an interactive connection based on visual observation.
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