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.
Spearhead, iron. With a leaf-shaped blade. Probably a further development of Petersen type G spearheads with curved blade edges. Such spearheads are abundant in stone graves in Saaremaa, sometimes also in probable complexes (e.g. in Käku cemetery, Mägi 2002, Pl. 14:6). In Latvia they were widespread mainly in the Livonian area and occasionally also in Courland, and they are dated primarily to the 11th century, possibly also to the first half of the 12th century (Atgāzis 2019, 55–57; Zariņa 2006, figs. 157–158, 174, 203).
Mägi, M. 2002. At the Crossroads of Space and Time. Graves, Changing Society and Ideology on Saaremaa (Ösel), 9th–13th centuries AD. Tallinn: Ajaloo Instituut, Tallinn/Center of Baltic Studies, Gotland. Loe kogu teost: siin. Arheoloogiliste leidude joonised on leitavad: siin
Zariņa, A. 2006. Salaspils Laukskolas kapulauks 10.–13. gadsimts. Rīga: Latvijas Vēstures Institūta Apgāds.
Atgāzis, M. 2019. Tuvcīņas ieroči Latvijā 10.–13. gadsimtā. Latvijas vēstures institūta apgāds. Rīga.
Javelin head, iron. With a knife-shaped blade, and a twisted neck section. Such javelin heads were especially characteristic for Saaremaa and coastal Estonia, but they are also found in surrounding areas. Although it has been suggested that such javelin heads came into use already at the end of the 11th century (Peets & Valt 2011), they nevertheless seem to be associated rather with the second half of the 12th century and the 13th century (Mandel 2017, 73). Among other contexts, they occur in 13th-century inhumation burials, for example at Pada in northern Estonia.
Peets, J. & Valt, J. 2011. Ühest rauaaja lõpu relvast Saarmaal, mandri-Eestis ja naaberpiirkondades. – Saaremaa Muuseum, kaheaastaraamat 2009–2010 (3–29). Saaremaa Muuseum, Kuressaare.
Mandel, M. 2017. Maidla muinaskalmistu saladused. Eesti Ajaloomuuseum, Tallinn.
Viltina
Fragment of a neck ring, copper alloy.
Fragment of a neck ring, copper alloy. Fragments of neck rings made of several twisted wires are common finds in Saaremaa stone graves with cremations. Since it is normally not possible to determine the exact type of these neck-rings, they can be dated to the whole period from the 10th to the 13th century (see also: Mägi 2002, 107).
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.
Viltina
Fragment of a neck ring, copper alloy.
Fragment of a neck ring, copper alloy. Fragments of neck rings made of several twisted wires are common finds in Saaremaa stone graves with cremations. Since it is normally not possible to determine the exact type of these neck-rings, they can be dated to the whole period from the 10th to the 13th century (see also: Mägi 2002, 107).
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.
Viltina
Neck ring fragment, with two twisted rings, connected with a hook and a loop, copper alloy.
Neck ring, with two twisted rings, connected with a hook and a loop, copper alloy. Such neck-rings have been found in inhumation graves (e.g. in Loona, Valjala; Mägi 2002, Pl. 98: 1; Mägi et al 2019, 97), but also in 13th-century hoards and deposits (e. g. Muhu, Lõhavere). Fragments of perhaps similar neck-rings have been also recorded in stone graves with cremations. Presumably appeared in the end of the 12th 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.
Viltina
Fragment of a neck ring, copper alloy.
Fragment of a neck ring, copper alloy. Fragments of neck rings made of several twisted wires are common finds in Saaremaa stone graves with cremations. Since it is normally not possible to determine the exact type of these neck-rings, they can be dated to the whole period from the 10th to the 13th century (see also: Mägi 2002, 107).
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.
Viltina
Fragment of a neck ring, copper alloy.
Fragment of a neck ring, copper alloy. Fragments of neck rings made of several twisted wires are common finds in Saaremaa stone graves with cremations. Since it is normally not possible to determine the exact type of these neck-rings, they can be dated to the whole period from the 10th to the 13th century (see also: Mägi 2002, 107).
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.
Viltina
Fragment of a neck ring, copper alloy.
Fragment of a neck ring, copper alloy. Fragments of neck rings made of several twisted wires are common finds in Saaremaa stone graves with cremations. Since it is normally not possible to determine the exact type of these neck-rings, they can be dated to the whole period from the 10th to the 13th century (see also: Mägi 2002, 107).
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.
Viltina
Fragment of a neck ring, copper alloy.
Fragment of a neck ring, copper alloy. Fragments of neck rings made of several twisted wires are common finds in Saaremaa stone graves with cremations. Since it is normally not possible to determine the exact type of these neck-rings, they can be dated to the whole period from the 10th to the 13th century (see also: Mägi 2002, 107).
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.
