The Osiliana archaeological database brings together artefacts from Saaremaa and the surrounding small islands.
Most of Saaremaa’s archaeological finds are held in the collection of the Saaremaa Museum and in the Tallinn University Research Collection.
We are gradually adding more and more finds and hope that it will become a useful tool for all history and archaeology enthusiasts!
Triangel-headed dress pins, 2, with two semi-oval chain holders and chain arrangement wrapped around the pins. The heads of the pins are made of silver and decorated with Animal-style ornament. mushroom-shaped knobs. Other parts of bronze.
Photos: Jaana Ratas.
Triangel-headed dress pins, 2, with two semi-oval chain holders and chain arrangement wrapped around the pins. The heads of the pins are made of silver and decorated with Animal-style ornament. mushroom-shaped knobs. Other parts of bronze.
Read more:
Mägi, M. (1997). Decorative pins of the merovingian and viking ages in Estonia: foreign and local. (EST: Eesti merovingi- ja viikingiaegsed rinnanõelad – võõrapärased ja omad.) Estonian Journal of Archaeology, 1, 26−83. Read the article (ENG p. 58-73): here.
Jets, I., Mägi, M. (2015). Local shape, foreign decoration. Shared cultural values in dress pins from the Viidumäe sacrificial site on Saaremaa. Fornvännen. Journal of Swedish antiquarian research, 110 (4), 257−266. Read the article: here.
Fragment of a bronze ring-headed pin with a cross-shaped extension.
Photo: Jaana Ratas.
Fragment of a ring-headed pin with a cross-shaped extension, bronze.
Read more:
Mägi, M. (1997). Decorative pins of the merovingian and viking ages in Estonia: foreign and local. (EST: Eesti merovingi- ja viikingiaegsed rinnanõelad – võõrapärased ja omad.) Estonian Journal of Archaeology, 1, 26−83. Read the article (ENG p. 58-73): here.
Penannular brooch with irregularly funnel-shaped terminals, bronze.
Photo: Jaana Ratas.
Penannular brooch with irregularly funnel-shaped terminals, bronze.
Penannular brooch with irregularly funnel-shaped terminals, bronze. Similar ones have been found e g at Pöide and Valjala hill-forts, Karja and Valjala early Christian graveyards, and in the earliest layers of medieval Tallinn.
Photo: Jaana Ratas.
Penannular brooch with irregularly funnel-shaped terminals, bronze. Similar ones have been found e g at Pöide and Valjala hill-forts, Karja and Valjala early Christian graveyards, and in the earliest layers of medieval Tallinn.
Read more:
Mägi, M.; Malve, M. & Toome, T. (2019). Early Christian burials at Valjala churchyard, Saaremaa. Archaeological Fieldwork in Estonia, 2018, 93−118. Read the article: here.
Tanged arrow-head, iron. The blade cross-cut is shaped as a rhomb with four pointed ends, the cross-cut of the neck is rectangular. Analogues are known e g from Hedeby, Germany.
Photo: Jaana Ratas.
Tanged arrow-head, iron. The blade’s cross-cut is shaped as a rhomb with four pointed ends, the cross-cut of the neck is rectangular. Analogues are known e g from Hedeby, Germany.
Read more:
Schiezel, K. 2014. Spurensuche Haithabu. Dokumentation und Chronik 1963-2013. Schleswig, Wachholtz, 569.
Penannular brooch with rolled terminals and flat rectangular cross-section of the ring, bronze. Similar brooches have been found e.g. the Karja cemetery in Saaremaa. A similar one has been found in När, Gotland.
Photo: Jaana Ratas.
Penannular brooch with rolled terminals and flat rectangular cross-section of the ring, bronze. Similar brooches have been found e.g. the Karja cemetery in Saaremaa. A similar one has been found in När, Gotland.
Read more:
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. Read the book: here. Look at the drawings of the archaeological excavations: here.
Thunmark-Nylén, L. 1998. Die Wikingerzeit Gotlands, II. Typentafeln. Stockholm.
Penannular brooch with irregularly funnel-shaped terminals, bronze.
Photo: Jaana Ratas.
Penannular brooch with irregularly funnel-shaped terminals, bronze.
Read more:
Pauts, H. (1997). Pahaga hoburaudsõled Eestis. (Töid ajaloo alalt, I.) Eesti Ajaloomuuseum, Tallinn, 79-115.
Finger-ring with double-spiral ends, bronze. It is predominantly local type Estonian ornament, but sometimes also recorded in neighboring areas.
Photo: Jaana Ratas.
Finger-ring with double-spiral ends, bronze. It is predominantly local type Estonian ornament, but sometimes also recorded in neighboring areas.
Read more:
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, p. 108. Read the book: here. Look at the drawings of the archaeological excavations: here.
Penannular brooch with small faceted terminals, bronze. The arch is decorated with “wolf teeth” ornament. Dated mainly to the 12th century, or to the beginning of the 13th century.
Photo: Jaana Ratas.
Penannular brooch with small faceted terminals, bronze. The arch is decorated with “wolf teeth” ornament. Dated mainly to the 12th century, or to the beginning of the 13th century.
Read more:
Pauts, H. 1997. Pahaga hoburaudsõled Eestis. (Töid ajaloo alalt, I.) Eesti Ajaloomuuseum, Tallinn, 79-115.
The negative value refers to time Before Christ.