How has the prehistoric relationship between Finland and Estonia been used as a means to construct Finnish or Estonian identity in these countries? Have these neighbours represented similarity or difference to one another? On what kind of premises have interpretations been based? How have Finland and Estonia and their inhabitants been represented in the prehistory myths of the neighbouring country and people? This paper presents an overview of the main trends of development from the 1880s to the1940s concentrating mainly on general publications of prehistory. The methodological framework of the study consists of archaeology, the history of ideas and cultural semiotics.

The article deals with several layers of landscape. Nature and traces of human activities left there on different prehistoric periods are examined. Also the probable interpretation of these traces in later periods will be discussed. All that will be analysed on the basis of two archaeological objects – the stone grave of Varetimägi and a pit-grave cemetery, both in Kaberla village, north Estonia. Their location in nature and connection with previous and later settlement traces are observed, thus trying to find out the attitude of people of different periods towards their surrounding landscape.

The article discusses the process and results of experimental archaeology carried out in Tallinn in 2008/2009 to learn about and revive the technologies of making beaded wire. Such technologies that were once commonly known have by now been forgotten at least in Europe. Several experiments led to the recognition that beaded wire can be made with the aid of two iron knives. Knowing the material properties of gold and silver implementing specific working methods guarantees the making of beaded wire with the aid of two knives – the technology was easily understood, the result was effective and the quality constant. The use of beaded wire was closely connected with the filigree and granulation techniques and it may be possible that beaded wire was abandoned in favour of filigree wire that required less specific skills.