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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; Niinesalu-Moon, Maris; Rannaäär, Karin; Leiman, Lisanna Lee. 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.

GUIDE FOR DATABASE

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Viltina

Neck ring knob? Copper alloy.

Century:
10-13

Discovery code:
AI 3884: 2986

Century:

10-13

Discovery code:

AI 3884: 2986

Viltina

Fragment of chain woven of wires, copper alloy.

Century:
12-13

Discovery code:
AI 3884: 3211

Fragment of chain woven of wires, copper alloy. Such chains were less common in Estonia than chains made of double-looped links. In Latvia, chains like these are associated with Scandinavian impact and are primarily dated to the 10th–11th centuries, sometimes to the 12th century (Spirģis 2008, 175).

Literature:

Spirģis, R. 2008. Bruņrupuču saktas ar krūšu važiņrotām un lībiešu kultūras attīstība Daugavas lejtecē 10.–13. gadsimtā. Latvijas Vēstures Institūta Apgāds, Rīga.

Century:

12-13

Discovery code:

AI 3884: 3211

Viltina

Fragment of a neck ring, copper alloy.

Century:
10-11

Discovery code:
AI 3884: 3288

Fragment of a neck ring, copper alloy. Composite neck rings are usually assembled from three separate rings, using copper alloy clasps. This type of neck ring has only been found on Saaremaa (Mägi 2002, 107; 2019, 73). Similar finds have been obtained from Kurzeme, and they were also worn by Semigallians in the 10th–11th centuries (Tvauri 2014, 144; Griciuvienė 2005, 76-77).

Literature:

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.) Estonian Academy of Sciences, Institute of History, Tallinn / Gotland University College, Centre for Baltic Studies, Gotland.
Mägi, M. 2019. Late Viking Age burial place and ritual deposits at Lööne, Saaremaa. – Archaeological Fieldwork in Estonia 2018, 67–78.
Tvauri, A. 2014. Rahvasterännuaeg, eelviikingiaeg ja viikingiaeg Eestis. Tartu Ülikooli Kirjastus. Tartu.
Griciuvienė, E. (prepared by) 2005. Žiemgaliai. Baltų archeologijos paroda. Katalogas. The Semigallians. Baltic Archaeological Exhibition. Catalogue. Vilnius – Riga, Lietuvos nacionalis muziejus; Latvijas Vēstures muzejs.

Century:

10-11

Discovery code:

AI 3884: 3288

Viltina

Fragment of a neck ring, copper alloy.

Century:
10-11

Discovery code:
AI 3884: 3435

Literature:

Century:

10-11

Discovery code:

AI 3884: 3435

Viltina

Fragment of a neck ring, copper alloy.

Century:
10-11

Discovery code:
AI 3884: 3512

Literature:

Century:

10-11

Discovery code:

AI 3884: 3512

Viltina

Fragments of a neck ring, copper alloy.

Century:
10-11

Discovery code:
AI 3884: 3514

Fragments of a neck ring, copper alloy. Composite neck rings are usually assembled from three separate rings, using copper alloy clasps. This type of neck ring has only been found on Saaremaa (Mägi 2002, 107; 2019, 73). Similar finds have been obtained from Kurzeme, and they were also worn by Semigallians in the 10th–11th centuries (Tvauri 2014, 144; Griciuvienė 2005, 76-77).