rautakautta
Rautakautta, meaning "Iron Age" in Finnish, refers to the archaeological period in Finland characterized by the widespread use of iron for tools and weapons. This era is generally considered to have begun around 500 BCE and lasted until the arrival of the Swedish and Orthodox Christian missions in the 1100s CE, marking the beginning of the Middle Ages. The Iron Age in Finland is often divided into sub-periods, including the Pre-Roman Iron Age, the Roman Iron Age, and the Vendel and Viking periods, each showing distinct cultural influences and developments.
During the Iron Age, Finnish society transitioned from a predominantly Stone Age and Bronze Age culture to
Trade played an increasingly significant role during the Iron Age. Finns engaged in exchange networks that