Hundreds of graves from the 17th or early 18th century were found last summer during an excavation of the ground under the burned-down Hietaniemi church, according to officials. The remains of about a hundred individuals were discovered during archaeological excavations in September last year, officials confirmed. According to SVT Nyheter, Annika Nordström described that the major find was that so many burials were found under the church.
The discovered individuals represent a complete demographic spectrum. According to SVT Nyheter, Annika Nordström described that the remains include men, women, and children. She further explained that the finds involve between 100 and 130 individuals, covering the entire demographic spectrum. The finds under the 18th-century church in Hietaniemi include mummified infants, according to major media reports. Two fairly intact and well-preserved babies were found, with one in a whole coffin, according to Annika Nordström. The finds included very well-preserved infants, according to major media reports.
It is men, women, and children who have been buried.
Structural findings revealed the remains of a 17th-century chapel, according to officials. The violent fire at Hietaniemi church in 2023 revealed what was once a burial chamber from the 17th and 18th centuries, according to major media reports. The walls were log-built with sturdy timbers, according to major media reports. At one short end, there was an ossuary, according to major media reports.
Ongoing analyses will provide more detailed information about the individuals, but the full results are not expected to be ready for about half a year, according to officials.
It was significantly more buried in this church than we had thought from the beginning.
The archaeological excavation in Hedenäset is both unique and very important, according to Annika Nordström. Public interest has been substantial, with about a hundred people coming to listen when Annika Nordström talked about the finds at Folkets hus in Övertorneå, according to major media reports.
Initial reporting on the discovery occurred in September 2025, when NSD reported that coffins with bodies were found under the burned-down Hietaniemi church in Övertorneå municipality, according to major media reports.
It involves between 100 and 130 individuals, both men, women, and children, there is no difference there, but it is the entire demographic spectrum.
We will be able to see how these people fared, what diseases they had. We will, among other things, do strontium analyses that show where they grew up, which gives a picture of migration.
That such an extensive archaeological investigation has been carried out up here, that is important. And it will create ripples in the water for further research.