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.
Fragment of a flat crossbow-shaped brooch, bronze. Such brooches were widespread in Finnish, Estonian and Latvian coastal areas.
Photo: Jaana Ratas.
Fragment of a flat crossbow-shaped brooch, bronze. Such brooches were widespread in Finnish, Estonian and Latvian coastal areas.
Literature:
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. Read the article: here.
Mägi, M. 2018. In Austrvegr: The Role of the Eastern Baltic in Viking Age Communication across the Baltic Sea. (The Northern World, Volume: 84). Brill; Leiden, 132-135.
Penannular brooch with irregularly faceted small terminals, bronze.
Penannular brooch with irregularly faceted small terminals, bronze.
Literature:
Pauts, H. 1997. Pahaga hoburaudsõled Eestis. (Töid ajaloo alalt, I.) Eesti Ajaloomuuseum, Tallinn, 79-115.
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.
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.
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.
Round pendant, decorated with Broa Style. Bronze, gilded.
First photo: Jaana Ratas.
Round pendant, decorated with Broa Style. Bronze, gilded.
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.
Pendant, bronze. Similar pendants were widespread in Couronia and Semigallia.
Photo: Jaana Ratas.
Pendant, bronze. Similar pendants were widespread in Couronia and Semigallia.
The negative value refers to time Before Christ.