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.
Fragment of a round belt divider, copper alloy.
Fragment of a round belt divider, copper alloy. Since dividers with a round central part are characteristic of the 10th–11th centuries (e.g., Thunmark-Nylén 1998, figs. 210, 236, 396; Zariņa 2006, 236), this object can probably also be dated to the same period.
Thunmark-Nylén, L. 1995. Die Wikingerzeit Gotlands I. Abbildungen der Grabfunde. Stockholm.
Zariņa, A. 2006. Salaspils Laukskolas kapulauks 10.–13. gadsimts. Latvijas Vēstures Institūta Apgāds, Rīga.
Two-part round strap divider with a protruding element, copper alloy.
Two-part round strap divider with a protruding element, copper alloy. Single such strap dividers have been falso found in mainland Estonia (e.g., Selirand 1974, Pl. XIX: 7). Flat strap ends with a bronze strip date it to the 12th century. They normally no longer occur in 13th-century inhumation burials.
Selirand, J. 1974. Eestlaste matmiskombed varafeodaalsete suhete tärkamise perioodil (11.–13. sajand). Tallinn.
Belt divider with belt mount, copper alloy.
Belt mount with stylized animal head, copper alloy.
Belt mount with stylized animal head, copper alloy. Such belt mounts were widespread in the coastal areas of Estonia, Latvia and Finland (Jets 2012, 166-178). Most of them date to the 11th-12th centuries, but the earliest ones may have appeared as early as in the late 10th century. Some similar belt mounts have been found in 13th-century inhumation graves, but there they are probably older than the rest of grave goods (e. g. Mandel 2017, 39, tahv. X).
Jets, I. 2012. Scandinavian Late Viking Age art styles as a part of the visual display of warriors in 11th century Estonia. – Estonian Journal of Archaeology, 16: 2, 118–139.
Mandel, M. 2017. Maidla muinaskalmistu saladused. Eesti Ajaloomuuseum, Tallinn.
Belt mount with stylized animal head, copper alloy.
Belt mount with stylized animal head, copper alloy. Such belt mounts were widespread in the coastal areas of Estonia, Latvia and Finland (Jets 2012, 166-178). Most of them date to the 11th-12th centuries, but the earliest ones may have appeared as early as in the late 10th century. Some similar belt mounts have been found in 13th-century inhumation graves, but there they are probably older than the rest of grave goods (e. g. Mandel 2017, 39, tahv. X).
Jets, I. 2012. Scandinavian Late Viking Age art styles as a part of the visual display of warriors in 11th century Estonia. – Estonian Journal of Archaeology, 16: 2, 118–139.
Mandel, M. 2017. Maidla muinaskalmistu saladused. Eesti Ajaloomuuseum, Tallinn.
Belt mount with stylized animal head, copper alloy.
Belt mount with stylized animal head, copper alloy. Such belt mounts were widespread in the coastal areas of Estonia, Latvia and Finland (Jets 2012, 166-178). Most of them date to the 11th-12th centuries, but the earliest ones may have appeared as early as in the late 10th century. Some similar belt mounts have been found in 13th-century inhumation graves, but there they are probably older than the rest of grave goods (e. g. Mandel 2017, 39, tahv. X).
Jets, I. 2012. Scandinavian Late Viking Age art styles as a part of the visual display of warriors in 11th century Estonia. – Estonian Journal of Archaeology, 16: 2, 118–139.
Mandel, M. 2017. Maidla muinaskalmistu saladused. Eesti Ajaloomuuseum, Tallinn.
Belt mount with stylized animal head, copper alloy.
Belt mount with stylized animal head, copper alloy. Such belt mounts were widespread in the coastal areas of Estonia, Latvia and Finland (Jets 2012, 166-178). Most of them date to the 11th-12th centuries, but the earliest ones may have appeared as early as in the late 10th century. Some similar belt mounts have been found in 13th-century inhumation graves, but there they are probably older than the rest of grave goods (e. g. Mandel 2017, 39, tahv. X).
Jets, I. 2012. Scandinavian Late Viking Age art styles as a part of the visual display of warriors in 11th century Estonia. – Estonian Journal of Archaeology, 16: 2, 118–139.
Mandel, M. 2017. Maidla muinaskalmistu saladused. Eesti Ajaloomuuseum, Tallinn.
Strap end, copper alloy. Such belt ends are mainly found in stone graves with cremations (e.g. Mägi 2002, Pl. 58; Mandel 2017, Pl. XL). They have not been found in the 13th-century inhumation graves.
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.
Mandel, M. 2017. Maidla muinaskalmistu saladused. Eesti Ajaloomuuseum, Tallinn.
Strap end fragment, copper alloy. Like no. AI 3884: 666. It cannot be dated more precisely.
Sihtasutus Osiliana uurib ja tutvustab Saaremaa arheoloogilist ja ajaloolist pärandit.
Sinu annetus aitab kaasa uutele uuringutele, arheoloogilistele kaevamistele ja muudele välitöödele ning uurimistulemuste avalikkusele kättesaadavaks tegemisele.
Meie tegevust on võimalik toetada, tehes ülekanne sihtasutuse kontole:
NIMI: SA Osiliana
IBAN: EE422200221074581431
