Matts Emmanuel Dreijer (31. I 1901 Ruhnu – 15. IV 1998 Mariehamn), archeologist, researcher and promoter of history and culture of the Åland Islands, grandson of Adolf Frederik Dreijer. His son Stig Dreijer (9. IX 1939) is also an historian.

He was born on Ruhnu Island, lived in Marienhamn since age six. Studied economics, got a Master’s degree in philosophy and also studied archeology. 1933–70 was the county archeologist of the Åland Islands. Professor since 1969. In 1930, discovered traces of the earliest human habitation on the Åland Islands in Saltvik, Långbergsöda that belong to Pit-Comb Ware culture era. In 1946 found a Bronze Age settlement site in Kökar, Otterböte, and explored it with Carl Fredrik Meinander and Bengt Schönbeck. In his research, Dreijer strived to prove that the historical Birka settlement was on the Åland Islands and that the islands used to belong to Denmark.  He disagreed with the theory that the earlier population of the islands decreased significantly during the Iron Age, which caused the migration of Finns to the islands. Dreijer actively published his works and was an eager promoter of the unique culture of the Åland Islands; among other things, he was involved in the founding of the Åland Islands’ Museum (director 1934–70) and the Åland Islands’ Fund (chairman 1952–70). He was the Secretary of the Åland Islands Folklore Society and one of the authors of their annual Åländsk Odling.

Dreijer was also an active social figure. He helped organize ferry traffic, salmon fishing and the voluntary firefighting service on the Åland Islands. On his initiative, all local governments on the Åland Islands got their own coat of arms, which were made official in the 1950s.

There is a park named after him in Marienhamn.

Publications

• Åland och ålänningarna (1934)
• Det åländska folkets historia, I (1979)
• Genom livets snårskog (1984)
• The history of the Åland people: From the stone age to Gustavus Wasa, Volume 1, Issue 1 (1986)

Created in 2013