Database
Our database is free to use for all history and archaeology enthusiasts. If you use our database, please do not forget to cite correctly:
Mägi, Marika; Palm, Piia Sandra. Archaeological Artefacts of Saaremaa. Foundation Osiliana / Tallinn University. Accessed: date.
The Osiliana Archaeological Database presents artefacts from Saaremaa and the surrounding small islands.
The database contains mainly Iron Age and Medieval finds that can be classified.
Undated metal or other pieces were generally excluded from the database.
Ceramics are represented by isolated examples.
The database is a work in progress and is constantly being updated.
Finger-ring, copper alloy. Evenly wide, with overlapping ends.
Viltina
Finger-ring with a widening central part, copper alloy.
Finger-ring with a widening central part, copper alloy. Similar rings have been found in the Eura Luistari and Saramäki burials in Finland where they are dated to the 11th century (Lehtsalo-Hilander 1982, 124–126) and from Abelnieki burials in Latvia, where they are dated from the second half of the 11th century to the beginning of the 13th century (Vasks 2008, 157–158). These rings also occur in Gotland, where they are dated to the 11th-12th century in Gotland (Thunmark-Nylen 1998, Pl. 143). In Saaremaa, a similar finger-ring is recorded in Valjala churchyard where it, according to the context, belongs to the 13th or perhaps late 12th century.
Lehtsalo-Hilander, P.-L. 1982. Luistari II: The Artefacts. SMYA 82: 2. Helsinki.
Lehtsalo-Hilander, P.-L. 1982. Luistari II: The Artefacts. SMYA 82: 2. Helsinki.
Thunmark-Nylen, L. 2006. Die Wikingerzeit Gotlands. I. Abbildungen der Grabfunde. Almqvist & Wiksell, Stockholm.
Vasks, A. 2008. Kurši padurē? – Pētījumi Kuršu Senatnē. Rakstu Krājums. Latvijas Nacionālā Vēstures Muzeja Raksti, 14, 153–166.
Viltina
Big spiral, copper alloy.
Viltina
Big spiral, copper alloy.
Viltina
Big spiral, copper alloy.
Viltina
Big spiral, copper alloy.
Finger-ring, copper alloy. This type of finger-ring has a thickened middle section with engraved diagonal grooves. A well-known type of ring in the archaeological material of the Estonian islands often found in both stone graves with cremations as well as inhumation burials. Could have come into use already during the 12th century AD (Mägi 2002, 109).
Mägi, M. 2002. At the crossroads of space and time: graves, changing society and ideology on Saaremaa (Ösel), 9th–13th centuries AD. Tallinn.
Viltina
Finger-ring with double-spiral ends, copper alloy.
Finger-ring with double-spiral ends, copper alloy. Such rings were worn during a long period, but were widespread in Estonia from the 7th-the 11th century. (Mägi 2002, 108; Tvauri 2014, 149). The Viltina specimen belongs, according to the context, to the 10th-11th century.
Mägi, M. 2002. At the Crossroads of Space and Time. Graves, Changing Society and Ideology on Saaremaa (Ösel), 9th–13th Centuries AD. (CCC Papers, 6.) Tallinn.
Tvauri, A. 2014. Rahvasterännuaeg, eelviikingiaeg ja viikingiaeg Eestis. Tartu: Tartu Ülikooli Kirjastus.
Viltina
Big spiral, copper alloy.
