Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences
Netherlands
fellow
Tiina Äikäs
Home institution
University of Oulu
Country of origin (home institution)
Finland
Discipline(s)
Anthropology and ethnology
Archeology and prehistory
Colonial and postcolonial history
Theme(s)
Cultural Studies
Human Rights
Post-colonialism
Regional Studies
Fellowship dates
›
Biography
Tiina was a Theme-Group Fellow (Early Dutch Commerce and Indigenous Landscapes) at NIAS during 2024-2025.
Archaeologist specialized in cultural heritage studies and archaeology of ritual and religion. PI of a project investigating the changing ritual relationship with the forest in Finland. Research interests include but are not restricted to the meanings and uses of cultural heritage, archaeology of sacred places, contemporary archaeology, and digital humanities.
Research Project
Decolonizing Indigenous Landscapes in the North
Research question: The purpose of the project is to analyze the effects of Dutch colonialism on the Indigenous Sámi landscapes by using interdisciplinary and participatory methods
During her research Tiina Äikäs analyses the possible material influence of the Dutch in the Sámi lived landscape. Archaeological excavations in Northern Finland have uncovered numerous Dutch artifacts, such as clay pipes, faience, and glass. These findings suggest Dutch influence in the Sámi landscape, although they might have reached Sámi areas through various indirect contacts.
More direct connections between continental Europeans and the Sámi are evident in travel accounts, especially those of Dutch travelers like Andries van Wouw, who described Sápmi and Southern Finland. To broaden the study, depictions from travelers of other nationalities, such as Acerbi in 1802, are also included. A database of these written and visual accounts will support an online map where locals can contribute their own images, helping to decolonize landscape representations.
Research Interests:
archaeology of religion; Saami archaeology; heritage studies; industrial heritage