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.
Mullutu
Fragment of a flat crossbow-shaped brooch, probably have been with poppy-shaped ends, copper alloy.
Photo: Jaana Ratas.
Fragment of a flat crossbow-shaped brooch, probably have been with poppy-shaped ends, copper alloy. Big flat crossbow-brooches were widespread in the Eastern Baltic and Finland, which in Latvia and Lithuania were used mainly in the 7th/8th – 9th centuries, in Couronia also in the 10th-11th centuries (Bliujienė, A. 1999., 106-111; Vaska 2019, 170-175). Several fragments found with metal detector in stone graves of Coastal Estonia in the last decades (e.g. Kiudsoo 2016, 54–57; Mägi 2020) suggest that such brooches were also in Saaremaa used up to the early 11th century.
Literature:
Bliujienė, A. 1999. Vikingų epochos kuršių papuošalų ornamentika. Vilnius: Diemedžio Leidykla.
Mägi, M. 2020. Before the hill fort of Valjala was built. Landing places and graves along the Lõve River in Saaremaa. Arheoloogilised välitööd Eestis = Archeological fieldwork in Estonia, 2019, 69−78.
Kiudsoo, M. 2016. Viikingiaegsed aarded Eestist. Idateest, rauast ja hõbedast. Imeline Ajalugu, Äripäev, Tallinn.
Vaska, . 2019. Rotas un ornaments Latvijā no bronzas laikmeta līdz 13. gadsimtam. Latvijas Nacionālais vēstures muzejs. Rīga.
Mullutu
Penannular brooch with knob-shaped terminals, copper alloy. With a simple three-part gnarl.
Penannular brooch with knob-shaped terminals, copper alloy. With a simple three-part gnarl. Such brooches are in Estonia dated predominantly to the first half of the 13th century (Pauts 1997).
Literature:
Pauts, H. 1997. Pahaga hoburaudsõled Eestis. (Töid ajaloo alalt, I.) Eesti Ajaloomuuseum, Tallinn, 79-115.
Mullutu
Pendant, bronze. Similar ones have been found in Couronia and Semigallia.
Pendant, bronze. Similar ones have been found in Couronia and Semigallia.
Literature:
Griciuvienė, E. (prepared by). 2005. Žiemgaliai. Baltų archeologijos paroda. Katalogas. The Semigallians. Baltic Archaeological Exhibition. Catalogue. Lietuvos nacionalis muziejus, Latvijas Vēstures muzejs, Vilnius – Riga, 114.
Square belt mount, bronze.
Mullutu
Shield mount (?) of bronze. Similar fittings have been found in Birka and associated with shield handle’s decoration.
Last photo: Jaana Ratas.
Shield mount (?) of bronze. Similar fittings have been found in Birka and associated with shield handle’s decoration.
Read more:
Arbman, H. 1940. Birka I. Die Gräber. Tafeln. Stockholm, Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademien, Taf. 19: 1-6.
Mullutu
End of a sword sheath, bronze. A widespread type in Saaremaa and Couronia.
Photo: Jaana Ratas.
End of a sword sheath, bronze. A widespread type in Saaremaa and Couronia.
Literature:
Kazakevićius, V. 1998. Iś velyvojo geleźies amźiaus baltu ginklu istorijos (kalaviju makśtu galu apkalai). – Lietuvos Archeoligija, 15. Vilnius, 287–327, fig 30-31.
Tomsons, A. 2018. Zobeni Latvijas teritorijā no 7. līdz 16. gadsimtam. – Latvijas Nacionālā vēstures muzeja raksti Nr. 27. Rīga, 168.
Mullutu
Round pendant, decorated with Broa Style. Bronze, gilded.
First photo: Jaana Ratas.
Round pendant, decorated with Broa Style. Bronze, gilded.
Mullutu
Horse or dog figure of bronze. Since such figures are frequently found together with weights, they are often interpreted as a sort of weight as well.
Photos: Jaana Ratas.
Horse or dog figure of bronze. Since such figures are frequently found together with weights, they are often interpreted as a sort of weight as well.
Literature:
Kiudsoo, M. & Russow, E. 2011. Hoards discovered in 2010. – Archaeological Fieldworks in Estonia 2010, 225-232, fig. 7.
Mullutu
Pendant, bronze. Similar pendants were widespread in Couronia and Semigallia.
Photo: Jaana Ratas.
Pendant, bronze. Similar pendants were widespread in Couronia and Semigallia.
