The stamp features the Jettböle idol, one of Åland’s most fascinating archaeological finds which has become a symbol of the Åland Stone Age.
The Jettböle idol was found in 1906 during the excavation of the 5000-year-old Stone Age settlement in Jomala, which had been discovered by chance in 1905. Led by Finnish archaeologist Björn Cederhvarf, the excavations revealed Åland’s first Stone Age settlement that could be linked to the Pitted Ware culture – which had not previously been discovered in Finland.
The Jettböle idol is one of several small burnt clay figures with geometric patterns and markings on the head and body that were found during the excavations. Clay idols of human figures from the Stone Age had not previously been found in Scandinavia. Their significance has been interpreted in numerous ways over the years, including as ritual objects.
The stamp motif was inspired by the collection of artefacts of the Åland Museum and the National Museum of Finland as well as visual material of the Finnish Heritage Agency.
The stamp is an issue in the PostEurop Europa stamp series, the 2025 theme of which is national archaeological discoveries.
The Europa denomination of the stamp indicates a specific postage value when used as postage on a card or letter. The value corresponds to the current postage for a shipment weighing up to 20 grams, sent by Priority from Åland to a Nordic or European country.
