Database
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!
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.
Read more:
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.
Read more:
Kiudsoo, M. & Russow, E. 2011. Hoards discovered in 2010. – Archaeological Fieldworks in Estonia 2010, 225-232, fig. 7.
Mullutu
Gotlandic-Baltic type buckle, silver or lead.
Photo: Jaana Ratas.
Gotlandic-Baltic type buckle, silver or lead.
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. 97. Read the book: here. Look at the drawings of the archaeological excavations: here.
Mullutu
Pendant, bronze. Similar pendants were widespread in Couronia and Semigallia.
Photo: Jaana Ratas.
Pendant, bronze. Similar pendants were widespread in Couronia and Semigallia.
Photo: Jaana Ratas.
Bell, bronze.
Mullutu
Knife handle of bronze and iron. On facets text DAAM-+G-LE, and MÆ-N-EB-TS.
Knife handle of bronze and iron. On facets text DAAM-+G-LE, and MÆ-N-EB-TS.
Mullutu
Drawshave, iron. Similar ones are known e.g. from Kirimäe deposit. The type can be dated to a long period.
Drawshave, iron. Similar ones are known e.g. from Kirimäe deposit. The type can be dated to a long period.
Read more:
Tvauri, A. 2012. The Migration Period, Pre-Viking Age, and Viking Age in Estonia. (Estonian Archaeology, 4). Tartu University Press, Tartu, 127, fig. 83.
