Since the end of the 19th century, practitioners of archaeology and archaeologists have revealed
an abundance of evidence from the past centuries, increasing knowledge and understanding of
various cities and towns in Finland. Although urban archaeology is often equated with excavations
related to construction and development projects in urban settings, urban archaeology covers a
wide range of topics, approaches, and research-related practices to urban life and environments in
the past and present.
According to this kind of wider approach to urban archaeology, its aim is to document and explain
the multi-layered history and multifaceted structure of cities and elements of urbanism in a
conclusive and more holistic way. This includes the development of towns and cities in the past up
to the present times as well as analyses of urban features and fabric from different times. Hence,
urban archaeology is not only restricted to studying the material remains and evidence found
underground but also those still existing above the ground, including standing buildings, visible
constructions, space layout, urban landscape as well as functions and population of the city.
In this paper, I am discussing the definitions and conceptions of urban archaeology and the role of
urban archaeology, focusing on Finland. Besides presenting the ideas of more holistic approaches
to urban archaeology, I am reflecting on the traps related to the prevailing definitions and
prospects related to defining urban archaeological heritage only to certain periods of the past.
When considering the role, importance, and vitality of urban archaeology in the future, it is
essential to ask who defines the scope of urban archaeology and on what grounds. What can and
ought to be done to change the prevailing conceptions and situation, if the change is needed and
wanted?