The Ristimäki (‘Cross Hill’) inhumation cemetery in Ravattula village in Kaarina municipality,
Southwest Finland, dates to the Late Iron Age and Early Medieval times (12th–13th centuries). In
addition to a large cemetery, this site is documented as having remains of the earliest known
church in the country. This study presents the descriptions of fur garments, fur-lined artefacts and
grave furnishings that were excavated in Ravattula Ristimäki in 2010–16. Animal hairs and feathers
were preserved in eight out of the 61 burials excavated in the research project. We identified
eight species of mammals and one family of birds (Anatidae) from the burials that contained
organic material. Human scalp hair was found in several female burials, adding information on the
hairstyles of the period. Together with blankets filled with feathers, these items indicate highly
versatile and varied burial customs within the cemetery. This study provides new evidence of the
use of fur garments and accessories, as well as grave furnishings, at the dawn of Christianity in
Northern Europe.