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.
Valjala hillfort
Potsherds, wheel-thrown ceramic, decorated with wavy line, 2.
Potsherds, wheel-thrown ceramic, decorated with wavy line, 2.
Literature:
Tvauri, A. 2005. Latest Iron Age Pottery In Estonia (from the 11th century to the middle of the 13th century). – Muinasaja teadus, 16. Tartu-Tallinn, 60-61, drawing 38: 1. Read the article (ENG p. 161-163): here.
Valjala hillfort
Iron knife, found under the southern wall of the hill-fort.
Iron knife, found under the southern wall of the hill-fort. Such knives are normally dated to the 13th-14th century or later (Holtmann 2002, 101-108).
Literature:
Holtmann, W. 2002. Untersuchungen zu mittelalterlichen und frühneuzeitlichen Messern dargestellt am Beispiel von archäologischen Funden vornehmlich aus dem weiteren Küstenbereich von Nord- und Ostsee bis zur Mittelgebirgszone. Katalog Teil II. Göttingen.
Valjala hillfort
Potsherd, wheel-thrown ceramic, rim and profiled wall, decorated with wavy line.
Potsherd, wheel-thrown ceramic, rim and profiled wall, decorated with wavy line.
Literature:
Tvauri, A. 2005. Latest Iron Age Pottery In Estonia (from the 11th century to the middle of the 13th century). – Muinasaja teadus, 16. Tartu-Tallinn, 60-61, drawing 38: 1. Read the article (ENG p. 161-163): here.
Potsherd, rim part.
Valjala maalinn
Potsherd, rim part.
Valjala hillfort
Spiral.
Valjala hillfort
Crossbow bolt, iron. Crossbow bolt with a pyramid-shaped tip.
Crossbow bolt, iron. Crossbow bolt with a pyramid-shaped tip. The bolt has a wider part at the base, just before the socket. Mäesalu´s type A I. Compare with similar ones e g at Varbola hillfort (e g AI 3864: 1, 5299: 23, 305). Crossbow were taken into use in the Eastern Baltic as early as in the end of the 12th century, but heads of such type are in Estonia dated mainly to the first half of the 13th century (Mäesalu 1991). In Latvia they are dated from the end of the 12th century to the early 14th century (Mugurēvičs 2008, 202).
Literature:
Mugurēvičs, Ē. 2008. Viduslaiku ciems un pils Salaspils novadā. Rīga, 112, 202.
Mäesalu, A. 1991. Otepää linnuse ammunooleotsad. – Eds. L. Jaanits & V. Lang. Muinasaja teadus, 1. Agu, Tallinn.
Valjala hillfort
Crossbow bolt, iron. Crossbow bolt with a pyramid-shaped tip.
Crossbow bolt, iron. Crossbow bolt with a pyramid-shaped tip. The bolt has a wider part at the base, just before the socket. Mäesalu´s type A I. Compare with similar ones e g at Varbola hillfort (e g AI 3864: 1, 5299: 23, 305). Crossbow were taken into use in the Eastern Baltic as early as in the end of the 12th century, but heads of such type are in Estonia dated mainly to the first half of the 13th century (Mäesalu 1991). In Latvia they are dated from the end of the 12th century to the early 14th century (Mugurēvičs 2008, 202).
Literature:
Mugurēvičs, Ē. 2008. Viduslaiku ciems un pils Salaspils novadā. Rīga, 112, 202.
Mäesalu, A. 1991. Otepää linnuse ammunooleotsad. – Eds. L. Jaanits & V. Lang. Muinasaja teadus, 1. Agu, Tallinn.
Valjala hillfort
Fragment of a spiral bracelet, bronze.
