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; 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.
Viltina
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.
Strap end, copper alloy. One item of a similar shape, but with a different ornament, is known from Gotland, although without a more precise find context (Thunmark-Nylén 1998, pl. 132: 5).
Thunmark-Nylén, L. 1998. Die Wikingerzeit Gotlands II, Typentafeln. Stockholm: Kungl.Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademien.
Loop-ended strap end, copper alloy. With concave sides. Similar examples are known, for instance, from Barshalder cemetery in Gotland and from Livic burials of the second half of the 11th century or the first half of the 12th century (Thunmark-Nylén 1998, pl. 131: 8; Zariņa 2006, 236). Judging by the style, it most likely dates to the 11th century.
Thunmark-Nylén, L. 1998. Die Wikingerzeit Gotlands II, Typentafeln. Stockholm: Kungl.Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademien.
Zariņa, A. 2006. Salaspils Laukskolas kapulauks 10.–13. gadsimts. Latvijas Vēstures Institūta Apgāds, Rīga.
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, 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, 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, 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.
