Jüri Selirand
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Jüri Selirand | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 21, 1928 Vigala Parish (now, part of Märjamaa Parish), Estonia |
| Died | September 11, 2017 (aged 89) |
| Occupations | Archaeologist, historian, translator |
| Employer(s) | Institute of History (Tallinn), Estonian Academy of Sciences (Estonian SSR Academy of Sciences) |
| Known for | Research on Estonian Iron Age burial sites and hillforts; early Estonian underwater archaeology (incl. work connected with Lake Valgjärv (Koorküla Valgjärv)) |
| Notable work | Koorküla Valgjärv (1965); Esivanemate kalmeküngastel (1967); Muinasaeg, muinasteadus, muinasteadlased (1989) |
| Awards | Oscar Montelius Medal (1987); Order of the White Star (IV class, 2005) |
Jüri Selirand (21 July 1928 – 11 September 2017) was an Estonian archaeologist, historian, and translator associated with archaeological research and heritage popularisation in Estonia.[1]
He worked for decades at the Institute of History in Tallinn (Academy of Sciences system) and is cited in overviews of Estonian archaeological collections as a long-time head of the institute's collections sector (until 1991).[2]
Selirand's institutional career was closely tied to the Tallinn-based Institute of History (then within the Estonian SSR Academy of Sciences). A sector leadership role is described in institutional overviews of archaeological collections and their management history.[2]
In addition to research and collections work, Selirand also contributed to archaeological fieldwork reporting, appearing as an author/compiler in annual summaries published in the academy's proceedings series.[3]
Research
Broadcast material from Estonian Public Broadcasting has described Selirand as an early figure in Estonian underwater archaeology and has linked his work to the lake-settlement research at Koorküla Valgjärv (Lake Valgjärv).[4]
His published and bibliographically indexed work also includes writing on burial customs and related historical topics, reflected in subject bibliographies that list his archaeology-related chapters and articles.[5]
Honours
Selirand received the Oscar Montelius Medal in 1987 (as listed by the awarding Swedish learned society).[6]
In 2005, he was awarded Estonia's Order of the White Star (IV class) in an official state decorations act published in Riigi Teataja.[7]
Estonian period press also recorded his election as a foreign member of the Finnish Antiquarian Society (Suomen Muinaismuistoyhdistys) in 1976.[8]
Selected works
- Koorküla Valgjärv. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1965
- Esivanemate kalmeküngastel. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1967
- Muinasaeg, muinasteadus, muinasteadlased. Tallinn: Valgus, 1989
- Muinas- ja vanaaeg: ajalugu VI klassile. Tallinn: Koolibri, 1995
