Finnisch-Ugrische Forschungen Abstract, Vol. The aim of archaeological research is to shed light on prehistoric human activity on the basis of the evidence left on the ground,in the earth and under water.
Archaeology is a global discipline with no time restrictions.
Although the questions it attempts to answer concern the humanities, the source material and the methods used in their analysis are connected with the natural sciences as well. Archaeological research includes fieldwork, conservation and museological activities, handling archaeological material,preparing scientific reports and protecting prehistoric monuments. According to Finnish legislation on historic monuments, specified types of archaeological activity require permission from the authorities. This paper provides a survey of the archaeological research conducted by Finnish archaeologists both in Finland and elsewhere, particularly in the last ten years. The survey is confined to 'conventional' prehistoric archaeology,with only a few references to more recent investigations.