Jüri Selirand
Jüri Selirand (21 July 1928 – 11 September 2017) was an Estonian archaeologist, historian, and translator associated with archaeological research and heritage popularisation in Estonia.
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).
Career
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.
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.
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).
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.
Honours
Selirand received the Oscar Montelius Medal in 1987 (as listed by the awarding Swedish learned society).
In 2005, he was awarded Estonia's Order of the White Star (IV class) in an official state decorations act published in Riigi Teataja.
Estonian period press also recorded his election as a foreign member of the Finnish Antiquarian Society (Suomen Muinaismuistoyhdistys) in 1976.
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
Authority control
Selirand is listed in international library authority files (VIAF) under the National Library of Estonia authority record.