Shopping Centre Rising on Ancient Cemetery in Järva-Jaani

Burials Discovered During Construction

In Järva-Jaani, central Estonia, construction of a shopping centre expansion behind the churchyard wall has led to the discovery of an ancient cemetery with multiple burial layers. The site also contained previously unknown prehistoric cremation graves and an early Iron Age settlement.

Rescue excavations have been ongoing for a month. Osteologist Martin Malve noted that because construction crews dug near the churchyard in winter, human bones went unnoticed. Several layers of burials were dug through. "They likely dug through prehistoric cremation burials as well. The grave fill of people buried in the 18th century is full of burned bones," Malve said.

Iron Age Settlement

Surprises in Järva-Jaani do not end there. "In one part of the same cemetery, an early Iron Age settlement site has also been preserved — dating from 1500 years B.C. to A.D. 50 — and it is again very multilayered," Malve added.

After rescue work, the builder will separate the cemetery and shopping centre area with a concrete barrier. However, large amounts of soil removed during construction have destroyed part of the archaeologically valuable material. "Dozens of the dead were unfortunately taken away during construction, and at the moment we see that at least fifty skeletons have been damaged from above," the osteoarchaeologist said.

Authorities' Response

Malve explained that in Estonia, cemetery walls were often built only in the 19th century, leaving some burials outside the wall. Krista Karro, adviser on natural sacred sites and archaeology at the National Heritage Board, said: "The project came to us for approval, and we approved it to the best of our knowledge, believing there were no burials outside the churchyard. We assumed that because a smaller study had been done earlier and no bones were found outside the churchyard wall. Based on that, our condition for approval was that builders remain attentive and notify us if anything appears." Karro said no rules were directly violated. "Bones appeared, and they were not noticed immediately. It is natural that ordinary people do not recognize them. Someone eventually did notice, informed us, and from there we were able to proceed."