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Kansakoulunmäki - Ihala Inhumation Cemetery

Sami Raninen
Ann-Christin Antell

I

hala inhumation cemetery is in the Konsa school yard, on the west bank of Raisionjoki River. The cemetery was found in 1902, when the foundations of the school house were being dug. The cemetery was researched in 1958-60. So far some 50 graves have been investigated. The bodies were buried with their head westwards. The burials had been made on top of each other, even in three layers. In many graves, remains of wooden coffins were found.

The dead had been buried in full dress with their funerary gifts. The most common finds in Kansakoulunmäki Hill are, therefore, the textiles of the clothes with the bronze spiral trinkets. There were no arms or tools at all among the burial finds. Ihala inhumation cemetery has been considered more Christian than Pre_Christian. Kansakoulunmäki Hill has been dated to the Crusade Time and mainly to 12th century. The cemetery is contemporary with the Mulli abode which resides nearby.

A report from 1752 on the discovery of the silver treasure of Siiri, Ihala, tells us that the treasure was found near the place where the pontificial chapel once resided. If the first church of Raisio ever was situated on the hill, it was probably near Kansakoulunmäki Cemetery. The remainders of the church were not, however, discovered during the excavations, and it's possible that they will never be, since the school was built upon them.

 

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