näatas

Näätä is a Viking Age ceremonial boat burial site located on the north coast of Kimitoön island in the Åland Islands, Finland. The site was discovered in 1898 and has undergone several excavations since then. Näätä is considered an important archaeological find, offering insights into the funerary practices and burial rituals of the Viking Age people who lived in the region.

The Näätä burial site consists of 44 boats, with the majority of them being ceremonial platforms built on land or raised on stilts over the water. These platforms were used for various purposes, including ceremonial and funerary rites, and may have served as a symbol of the deceased's status and power. Some of the boats found at Näätä are well-preserved, with intricate carvings and other decorations still visible.

Excavations at Näätä have revealed a mix of cultural influences, including Scandinavian, Baltic, and possibly even Coptic elements. This diverse cultural mix suggests that Kimitoön and the Åland Islands were an important crossroads for trade and cultural exchange during the Viking Age. The Näätä site has been designated as a protected cultural heritage site by the Finnish National Board of Antiquities.

Ongoing research and excavations at Näätä continue to shed light on the lives of the Viking Age inhabitants of the region. The site remains a valuable resource for historians, archaeologists, and those interested in understanding the cultural practices and traditions of this period.