The Stone Age in Finland begins with the earliest evidence of human presence in the region, possibly as far back as 125,000 years ago at the Wolf Cave in Kristinestad. This site, if confirmed, would be the only known pre-glacial Neanderthal settlement in the Nordic countries.
After the last ice age ended around 9000 BCE, humans began migrating to Finland. The earliest confirmed post-glacial settlements date to approximately 8900 BCE, with the people likely being seasonal hunter-gatherers. Significant archaeological finds from this period include the Antrea Net, the world’s oldest-known fishing net, dated to around 8300 BCE.
By 5300 BCE, Finland entered the Neolithic period, marked by the introduction of pottery through the Comb Ceramic culture, known for its distinct decorative patterns. While subsistence still relied on hunting and fishing, trade networks expanded, connecting Finland to other parts of northeastern Europe. Items like flint, amber, and slate from distant regions were found in Finnish sites, and Finnish materials, such as asbestos and soapstone, were exported.
Around 3500–2000 BCE, the mysterious "Giant's Churches," large stone enclosures, were built in the Ostrobothnia region, though their purpose remains unknown. The Kierikki site near Oulu revealed year-round habitation and extensive trade, indicating a more complex society.
From 3200 BCE, the Battle Axe (Cord Ceramic) culture arrived from the south, likely linked to Indo-European migrations. While agriculture took time to establish, hunting and gathering remained prevalent inland. Eventually, the Battle Axe and Comb Ceramic cultures merged, forming the Kiukainen culture, which blended the two traditions and persisted until around 1500 BCE.