Traces of medieval individuals: New seal matrix discoveries in Finland

Visa Immonen, Tapio Salminen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterScientificpeer-review

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Abstract

In the Middle Ages, people expressed their social differences, positions and roles as well as religious affinities in various ways. One of them was the use of seals, and the present article analyses four recent finds of medieval seal matrices from Finland. Three belong to priests, and based on the use of heraldry, one to a member of the nobility. In terms of materials, one is of silver and the rest bronze alloys. As objects of identity performance, medieval matrices, archival sources permitting, can open large vistas on the genealogical networks of medieval society as well as individuality in medieval culture.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationShattered and scattered pasts: Festschrift for Professor Georg Haggrén
EditorsTuuli Heinonen, Frida Ehrnsten, Janne Harjula, Tarja Knuutinen, Tanja Ratilainen, Elina Terävä, Siiri Tuomenoja, Janne Haarala
Place of PublicationTurku
PublisherSUOMEN KESKIAJAN ARKEOLOGIAN SEURA RY.
Pages283-294
Number of pages11
ISBN (Electronic)978-952-69004-9-0
ISBN (Print)978-952-69004-8-3
Publication statusPublished - 4 Apr 2025
Publication typeA3 Book chapter

Publication series

NameArchaeologia medii aevi Finlandiae
VolumeXXXI
ISSN (Print)1236-5882
ISSN (Electronic)2736-920X

Keywords

  • Finland
  • metal detector finds
  • Middle Ages
  • seal matrices
  • stray finds

Publication forum classification

  • Publication forum level 1

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