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.
Belt mount, copper alloy. A widespread type of belt mount in Saaremaa and surrounding areas, often found in stone graves with cremation burials. Most likely date to the 12th century but could have also been used in the early 13th century (Griciuvienė 2009, 349; Mugurēvičs 2008, 122; Mägi 2002, 98).
Mägi, M. 2002. At the crossroads of space and time: graves, changing society and ideology on Saaremaa (Ösel), 9th–13th centuries AD. Tallinn.
Mugurēvičs, Ē. 2008. Viduslaiku ciems un pils Salaspils novadā. Latvijas Vēstures Institūta Apgāds, Rīga.
Griciuvienė, E. (prepared by) 2009. Kuršiai. Genties kultūra laidosenos duomenimis. Baltų archeologijos paroda. Katalogas. The Curonians. Tribe Culture According to the Burial Data. Baltic Archaeological Exhibition. Catalogue. Vilnius – Riga, Lietuvos nacionalis muziejus; Latvijas Nacionālais vēstures muzejs.
Belt mount, copper alloy. A widespread type of belt mount in Saaremaa and surrounding areas, often found in stone graves with cremation burials. Most likely date to the 12th century but could have also been used in the early 13th century (Griciuvienė 2009, 349; Mugurēvičs 2008, 122; Mägi 2002, 98).
Mägi, M. 2002. At the crossroads of space and time: graves, changing society and ideology on Saaremaa (Ösel), 9th–13th centuries AD. Tallinn.
Mugurēvičs, Ē. 2008. Viduslaiku ciems un pils Salaspils novadā. Latvijas Vēstures Institūta Apgāds, Rīga.
Griciuvienė, E. (prepared by) 2009. Kuršiai. Genties kultūra laidosenos duomenimis. Baltų archeologijos paroda. Katalogas. The Curonians. Tribe Culture According to the Burial Data. Baltic Archaeological Exhibition. Catalogue. Vilnius – Riga, Lietuvos nacionalis muziejus; Latvijas Nacionālais vēstures muzejs.
Square belt mounts, 2, copper alloy. Decorated in the Urnes style. Some similar examples have been found on Gotland (Thunmark-Nylén 1998, plate 140: 28c; Jets 2013, 160). Based on the Urnes style it could be dated to the second half of the 11th century to the beginning of 12th century (Jets, 2013).
Jets, I. 2013. Lahingu maod. Skandinaavia 9.-11. sajandi sajandi kunstistiilid Eesti arheoloogilistel leidudel. Tallinn: Tallinna Ülikooli Kirjastus.
Thunmark-Nylén, L. 1998. Die Wikingerzeit Gotlands II, Typentafeln. Stockholm: Kungl.Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademien.
Belt mounts, 2, copper alloy. Square-shaped mounts with cross-motifs are very widespread in Estonian stone graves with cremations (Mägi 2002, 96-99; Mandel 2017, 83, tahv XLII).They have been often found together with Gotland-Baltic type buckles and animal style joining mounts (e g Lehtsalo-Hilander 1982, 154).
Lehtsalo-Hilander, P.-L. 1982. Luistari II: The Artefacts. SMYA 82: 2. Helsinki.
Mägi, M. 2002. At the crossroads of space and time: graves, changing society and ideology on Saaremaa (Ösel), 9th–13th centuries AD. Tallinn.
Mandel, M. 2017. Maidla muinaskalmistu saladused. Eesti Ajaloomuuseum, Tallinn.
