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.
Loop-ended strap end, copper alloy. Such strap ends occur in 10th–11th century burials in Gotland, especially at the Kopparsvik cemetery, and in Livonian burials from the second half of the 11th century or the first half of the 12th century (e.g., Thunmark-Nylén 1995, figs. 345, 359, 363, 370 etc.; Zariņa 2006, 236).
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.
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.
Loop-ended strap end, copper alloy. Such strap ends occur in 10th–11th century burials in Gotland, especially at the Kopparsvik cemetery, and in Livonian burials from the second half of the 11th century or the first half of the 12th century (e.g., Thunmark-Nylén 1995, figs. 345, 359, 363, 370 etc.; Zariņa 2006, 236).
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.
Joining mount, copper alloy. Can not be dated closer.
Loop-ended strap end, copper alloy. Such strap ends occur in 10th–11th century burials in Gotland, especially at the Kopparsvik cemetery, and in Livonian burials from the second half of the 11th century or the first half of the 12th century (e.g., Thunmark-Nylén 1995, figs. 345, 359, 363, 370 etc.; Zariņa 2006, 236).
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.
Chatelaine rod fragments, 3, iron. Chatelaines were worn by both men and women and were used to fasten various necessary items to the belt. Chatelaine rods have been found from many places in Estonia, including Saaremaa.
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.
Tamla, Ü. 2016. Ristimäe stone grave on the island of Muhu. – Archaeological Fieldwork in Estonia 2015, 121–126.
Viltina
Chain made of rings and small chain rods, iron.
Chain made of rings and small chain rods, iron and copper alloy. Such short links wrapped with copper wire already occur in 10th-century find assemblages, for example in the Lööne cemetery (Mägi 2019), but also together with Saaremaa-type knife sheaths, where they may also date to the early 13th century (e.g., Mägi 2002, 210; Zariņa 2006, 206).
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.) Estonian Academy of Sciences, Institute of History, Tallinn / Gotland University College, Centre for Baltic Studies, Gotland.
Zariņa, A. 2006. Salaspils Laukskolas kapulauks 10.–13. gadsimts. Latvijas Vēstures Institūta Apgāds, Rīga.
Mägi, M. 2019. Late Viking Age burial place and ritual deposits at Lööne, Saaremaa. – Archaeological Fieldwork in Estonia 2018, 69−78.
Chatelaine rod fragment, iron. Chatelaines were worn by both men and women and were used to fasten various necessary items to the belt. Chatelaine rods have been found from many places in Estonia, including Saaremaa.
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.
Tamla, Ü. 2016. Ristimäe stone grave on the island of Muhu. – Archaeological Fieldwork in Estonia 2015, 121–126.
Chatelaine rod fragment, iron. Chatelaines were worn by both men and women and were used to fasten various necessary items to the belt. Chatelaine rods have been found from many places in Estonia, including Saaremaa.
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.
Tamla, Ü. 2016. Ristimäe stone grave on the island of Muhu. – Archaeological Fieldwork in Estonia 2015, 121–126.
