Baltic Finns in The Races of Europe by William Z. Ripley in 1899.

The Baltic Finns^[1] are a historical linguistic group of peoples of northern Europe whose modern descendants include the Finns proper, Karelians (including Ludes and Olonets), Izhorians, Veps, Votes, Livonians and Estonians^[2] who speak Baltic-Finnic languages and have inhabited the Baltic Sea region for 3,000 years according to one theory, or up to ten thousand years according to another theory.

Theories of origin[link]

The theories of the origin of the Baltic Finns include the Migration Theory and the Settlement Continuity Theory.^[3]

According to the Migration Theory that was based primarily on comparative linguistics, the proto-Finnic peoples migrated from an ancient homeland somewhere in northwestern Siberia or western Russia to the shores of the Baltic Sea around 1000 BC, at which time Finns and Estonians separated. The Migration Theory has been called into question since 1980, based on genealogy, craniometry and archaeology. Recently, a modified form of the Migration Theory has gained new support among the younger generation of linguists, who consider that archaeology, genes or craniometric data cannot supply evidence of prehistoric languages.^[4]

The Settlement Continuity Theory is based on archaeology and genetics. Genealogic studies have shown that the Baltic Finns have a much closer genetic relationship to the northern and central Europeans than to the eastern Finnic peoples such as the Volga Finns. The theory suggests that Baltic Finns have lived in the region for up to 10,000 years, rather than the 3,000 years suggested by the Migration Theory. Some linguists have also supported this theory, but the issue is hotly debated, as genetic continuity does not necessarily prove continuity of languages.^{[citation needed]}

Europe in 9th century, Finnic Peoples in northern Europe.
(marked with darker yellow)

During the last 30 years, scientific research in physical anthropology, craniometric analyses, and the mitochondrial and Y-chromosomal DNA frequencies have reduced the likelihood for a major westward migration as recently as 3,000 years ago. The Settlement Continuity Theory asserts that at least the genetic ancestors of the Finno-Ugric peoples were among the earliest indigenous peoples of Europe.^[5][6][7]

The origin of the people who lived in the Baltic Sea area during the Mesolithic Era continues to be debated by scientists. From the middle of the Neolithic Era onwards, there is agreement to a certain extent among scholars: it has been suggested that Finno-Ugric tribes arrived in the Baltic region from the east or southeast approximately 4000–3000 BC by merging with the original inhabitants, who then adopted the proto-Finno-Ugric language and the Comb Ceramic culture of the newcomers. The members of this new Finno-Ugric-speaking ethnic group are regarded as the ancestors of modern Estonians.^[7] The Y-chromosomal data has also revealed a common Finno-Ugric ancestry for the males of the neighboring Baltic peoples, speakers of the Indo-European Baltic languages. According to the studies, Baltic males are most closely related to the Finno-Ugric-speaking Volga Finns such as the Mari, rather than to Baltic Finns.^[8] The indicator of Finno-Ugric origin has been found to be more frequent in Latvians (42%) and Lithuanians (43%) than in Estonians (34%). The results suggest that the territories of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have been settled by Finno-Ugric-speaking tribes since the early Mesolithic period.^[7]

On the other hand, some linguists do not consider it likely that a Baltic-Finnic language form could have existed at such an early date. According to these views, the Finno-Ugric languages appeared in Finland and Baltic only during the Early Bronze Age (ca. 1,800 BC), if not later.^[4]

Baltic Finnic oral poetry[link]

The Baltic Finns share a common cultural heritage: the art of ancient "rune" (poem) singing in the Kalevala meter, estimated to be 2,500–3,000 years old.^[9] The Veps are the only Baltic Finnish people with no significant corpus of Kalevala meter oral poetry. The poetic tradition has included epic poems (known mostly in Karelia and Ingermanland, perhaps as survivals from an earlier, wider distribution), lyric poems and magic chants.

The ancient rune singing has inspired the creation of the national epic of Finland, Kalevala compiled by Elias Lönnrot, and the music of Arvo Pärt, the best known Estonian composer in the classical field.^[10]

J. R. R. Tolkien has highlighted the importance of Kalevala as a source for his legendarium, including The Lord of the Rings.^[11]

History of the Baltic Finnic peoples[link]

The Mesolithic Period[link]

The region has been populated since the end of the last glacial era, about 10,000 BC. The earliest traces of human settlement are connected with Suomusjärvi culture and Kunda culture. The Early Mesolithic Pulli settlement is located by the Pärnu River. It has been dated to the beginning of the 9th millennium BC. The Kunda Culture received its name from the Lammasmäe settlement site in northern Estonia, which dates from earlier than 8500.^[12] Bone and stone artefacts similar to those found at Kunda have been discovered elsewhere in Estonia, as well as in Latvia, northern Lithuania and southern Finland.

The Neolithic Period[link]

Around 5300 BCE pottery entered Finland. The earliest representatives belong to the Comb Ceramic Cultures, known for their distinctive decorating patterns. This marks the beginning of the Neolithic Period

Comb Ceramic Culture[link]

Neolithic period

Until the early 1980s, the arrival of Finnic peoples, the ancestors of the Estonians, Finns, and Livonians on the shores of the Baltic sea around 3000 BC, was associated with the Comb Ceramic Culture^[13] However, such a linking of archaeologically defined cultural entities with linguistic ones cannot be proven and it has been suggested that the increase of settlement finds in the period is more likely to have been associated with an economic boom related to the warming of climate. Some researchers have even argued that a form of Uralic languages may have been spoken in Estonia and Finland since the end of the last glaciation.^[14]

Bronze Age[link]

The beginning of the Bronze Age in Estonia is dated to approximately 1800 BC, in present-day Finland some time after 1500 BCE. The coastal regions of Finland were a part of the Nordic Bronze Culture, whereas in the inland regions the influences came from the bronze-using cultures of Northern Russia. The development of the borders between the Finnic peoples and the Balts was under way. The first fortified settlements, Asva and Ridala on the island of Saaremaa and Iru in the Northern Estonia, began to be built. The development of shipbuilding facilitated the spread of bronze. Changes took place in burial customs, a new type of burial ground spread from Germanic to Estonian areas, stone cist graves and cremation burials became increasingly common aside small number of boat-shaped stone graves.^[15]

The Iron Age[link]

The Pre-Roman Iron Age began in about 500 BC and lasted until the middle of the 1st century AD. The oldest iron items were imported, although since the 1st century iron was smelted from local marsh and lake ore. Settlement sites were located mostly in places that offered natural protection. Fortresses were built, although used temporarily. The appearance of square Celtic fields surrounded by enclosures in Estonia date from the Pre-Roman Iron Age. The majority of stones with man-made indents, which presumably were connected with magic designed to increase crop fertility, date from this period. A new type of grave, quadrangular burial mounds, began to develop. Burial traditions show the clear beginning of social stratification.

The Roman Iron Age is roughly dated to between 50 and 450 AD, the era that was affected by the influence of the Roman Empire. In material culture this is reflected by few Roman coins, some jewellery and artifacts. The abundance of iron artifacts in Southern Estonia speaks of closer mainland ties with southern areas while coastal Finland and the islands of western and northern Estonia communicated with their neighbors mainly by sea.

By the end of the period, clearly defined tribal dialectical areas - (proper-)Finns, Tavastians, Karelians, Northern Estonias, Southern Estonias, and Western Estonias including the islands - had emerged, the population of each having formed its own understanding of identity.^[16]

Early Middle Ages[link]

Finnic peoples in chronicles[link]

The word Finn is first mentioned in the form fenni in the 1st century AD by Tacitus, the Roman historian. However it is possible that he was referring to the people of northern Europe in general, particularly the Lappic or Sami people. After that the name finni is used by Claudius Ptolemaeus (170 AD) and the Byzantine writer Jordanes in his Getica (551 AD). References to Finnic tribes become much more numerous from the Viking era (800-1050). It was not until about 1171 that the word Finni was employed to mean the Finns.

The term Eesti, the name of the Estonians, occurs first again in Tacitus; however, it might have indicated Baltic peoples. In Northern Sagas (13th century) the term started to be used to indicate the Estonians.

In a Norwegian text (11-12th century) the name 'Kiriali referring to Karelians, and the term 'cornuti Finni, interpreted as referring to the Lapps or Sami people, first appear.

The Russian Primary Chronicle's opening chapter lists the following peoples living "in the share of Japheth" among others: Chud, Merya, Muroma, Ves, Mordvin (Moksha and Erzya), Chud beyond the portages, Perm, Pechera, Yam, Ugra, Liv.^[17]

The name Sum, possibly meaning Suomi (Finland in Finnish), is found in Nestor's Chronicle (1000–1100). The names of other Finnic tribes are also listed including Veps, Cheremis, Mordvin (Moksha and Erzya), Permian.^[18]

The Chudes, as mentioned by the monk Nestor in the earliest Russian chronicles, were the Ests or Esthonians.^[19] According to the Russian Primary Chronicle Chuds bordered on the Varangian Sea (Baltic sea).^[17] In 1030 Yaroslav I the Wise invaded the country of the Chuds and laid the foundations of Yuriev,^[20] (the historical Russian name of Tartu, Estonia). They remained until 1061 when, according to chronicles, Yuryev was burned down by the Chudes. According to Old East Slavic chronicles the Chudes were one of the founders of the Rus' state.^[19]

The Northern (or eastern) Chudes were also a mythical people in folklore among Northern Russians and their neighbours. In Komi mythology, the Northern Chudes represent the mythic ancestors of the Komi people^[21]

Middle Ages[link]

In the 13th century the east Baltic world was transformed by military conquest: first the Livs and Estonians, then the Finns underwent defeat, baptism, military occupation and sometimes extermination by groups of Germans, Danes and Swedes.^[22]

See also[link]

• Finnic peoples
• Volga Finns
• Pomors

References[link]

Halldór Ásgrímsson (pronounced [ˈhalːtour ˈaːuskrimsɔn]; born 8 September 1947) is an Icelandic politician, formerly Prime Minister of Iceland from 2004 to 2006 and leader of the Progressive Party from 1994 to 2006.

Education and early life[link]

Halldór earned a bachelor's degree from the Co-operative College of Iceland, and became a certified public accountant in 1970. He later completed graduate commerce studies at the Universities of Bergen and Copenhagen, and worked as a lecturer at the University of Iceland from 1973 to 1975.

Political career[link]

He represented the East constituency as a member of the Althing (Icelandic Parliament) from 1974 to 1978 and from 1979 to 2003, when he was elected to represent the Reykjavík North constituency. Over the years, he has served in a large number of ministerial portfolios, namely as Minister of Fisheries from 1983 to 1991, Minister of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs from 1988 to 1989, Minister for Nordic Cooperation from 1985 to 1987 and 1995 to 1999 and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1995 to 2004.

Halldór took over as Prime Minister on 15 September 2004, succeeding Independence Party leader Davíð Oddsson, while Davíð replaced Halldór as Foreign Minister.

On 5 June 2006, following poor results in municipal elections, Halldór announced his resignation as Prime Minister and stated that he intended to step down as leader of the Progressive Party in August 2006. Geir H. Haarde, the Foreign Minister of Iceland, succeeded him on 15 June 2006.

Halldór Ásgrímsson's successor as Progressive Party leader was Jón Sigurðsson, Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism, who was elected at the party's convention in August 2006. At the convention Halldór ended his political career with an emotional and dynamic farewell speech to the party. Halldór resigned as MP after the convention; he was the longest serving MP at the time.

On 31 October 2006, Halldór was chosen as the Secretary-General of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Halldór Ásgrímsson is an Honorary Member of The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation.

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Halldór Ásgrímsson

• (English) Halldór´s biography in English (since his tenure as PM)
• Nordic Council of Ministers

Raul Mälk (Born May 14, 1952 in Pärnu, Estonia) is an Estonian diplomat and a former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia. He was also head of the Estonian delegation for border negotiations with Russia from 1992-2005. Up to 2007 he was Chairman of the Board of International Centre for Defence Studies in Estonia.^[1]

References[link]

This article about an Estonian politician is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This article is an orphan, as few or no other articles link to it. Please introduce links to this page from related articles; suggestions may be available. (February 2009)

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The Artillery is a post-hardcore band that formed in Round Rock, Texas in 2000 management is SE Records.

Biography[link]

Brief history[link]

The Artillery is a four-piece band formed out of Round Rock, Texas. They have been together since 2000, and have been playing shows regionally since 2002, and nationally since 2006. Hailing from a suburb of the largest music scene in Texas, Chris Ellis, a swagger-savvy drummer, and Jonathan Macias, a natural born rocker, were urged to start a rock band. After trying out a few unfitting candidates, they came across a talented voice that went by the name of Dean Danger. Chris Reyes, another local artist, had proven himself to be the missing link that would bring The Artillery to their full potential.

Now that they were fully staffed, they began to write songs that combined energetic guitar leads with catchy vocals. The Artillery recorded their first E.P. entitled 'Fear Is In' with producer Paul Soroski, and released it on June 24, 2007. Throughout 'Fear is In' there’s a reoccurring theme of determination, strength through struggle, and an unwavering will to overcome all obstacles. The E.P. serves as a solid introduction to a band destined for bigger things. After their release they toured regionally, and have since made a name for themselves around the Lone Star State.

Soon after 'Fear Is In' they continued writing non-stop, in order to finish their first full-length entitled ‘Kings of the World’. After 2 years in the making, 'KOTW' has a mix-match of many genres, only to prove their ability to write in totally different mind-sets. After its release on June 26, 2009, their popularity only gained more. This time through the internet as well, Selling over fifteen-hundred album on iTunes and other various online media forms. The Artillery also got to #14 out of thousands in an online battle for Austin City Limits Festival.

With big dreams set in their sight, The Artillery is still creating and producing music. They currently plan on self-recording their next full length album by the end of 2011.

"We will always find new ways to musically express ourselves, and will always find new way to give it to the masses." - The Artillery

The Artillery and Paul Soroski[link]

Paul Soroski, bassist of the Southern Rock band Podunk, was introduced to The Artillery in the summer of 2003, they met at a local sound stage. He was intrigued by how young TA was, and how well they could play for their age. Right then and there, he became the producer and manager for the band. Over the years Paul molded the band and gave them opportunities to play amazing shows. Also, he helped them record their first EP, "Fear Is In", as well as book many shows during SXSW '07 to showcase the band.

Group members[link]

• Dean Barry (lead vocals/guitar/keyboards)
• JoJo Macias (guitar/back-up vocals)
• Chris Reyes (bass/back-up vocals)
• Chris Ellis (drums)