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. 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.
Penannular brooch with massive faceted terminals, bronze.
First photo: Jaana Ratas.
Penannular brooch with massive faceted terminals, bronze.
Literature:
Mägi-Lõugas, M. (1994). Eesti viikingiaegsed hoburaudsõled ja nende ornament. – Eesti TA Toim. Humanitaar- ja Sotsiaalteadused 43, 4 (465-484). Read the ENG conclusion (p. 483-483): here.
Fragment of a coin, 0.81 g. Abbasid dynasty.
Fragment of a coin, 0.81 g. Abbasid dynasty.
Penannular brooch with poppy-shaped terminals, bronze.
Penannular brooch with poppy-shaped terminals, bronze.
Literature:
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. 100-101. Read the book: here. Look at the drawings of the archaeological excavations: here.
Fragment of a coin, 0.82 g. Samanid dynasty, the reign of Mansur ibn Nuh.
Fragment of a coin, 0.82 g. Samanid dynasty, the reign of Mansur ibn Nuh.
Semicircular chain holder, bronze, tinned. Fragment of one end.
Semicircular chain holder, bronze, tinned. Fragment of one end. Such chain holders were widespread in Couronia and Semgallia with dress pins dated to the 7th-9th century (Griciuvienė 2005, 98; 2009, 135; Bliujienė 1999, 138-149) but one specimen is also known from Rahu grave in Saaremaa, where it is together with 10th-century triangular-headed pins with leaf ornament (Mägi 2002, 223).
Literature:
Bliujienė, A. 1999. Vikingų epochos kuršių papuošalų ornamentika. Vilnius: Diemedžio Leidykla.
Griciuvienė, E. (prepared by) 2005. Žiemgaliai. Baltų archeologijos paroda. Katalogas. The Semigallians. Baltic Archaeological Exhibition. Catalogue. Vilnius – Riga, Lietuvos nacionalis muziejus; Latvijas Vēstures muzejs
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.
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.
Jagged flat belt mount, bronze.
Coin, 0.1 g. From the city of Golsar, the reign of Otto and Adelheid (985-…).
Coin, 0.1 g. From the city of Golsar, the reign of Otto and Adelheid (985-…).
Fragment of penannular brooch with rolled terminals, bronze.
Fragment of penannular brooch with rolled terminals, bronze.
Literature:
Mägi-Lõugas, M. 1994. Eesti viikingiaegsed hoburaudsõled ja nende ornament. – Eesti TA Toim. Humanitaar- ja Sotsiaalteadused 43, 4 (465-484). Read the ENG conclusion (p. 483-483): here.
Dirham fragment. Samanid dynasty, the reign of Nasr ibn Ahmad. 0.69 g, year 308 (Islamic calendar).
First photo: Jaana Ratas.
Dirham fragment. Samanid dynasty, the reign of Nasr ibn Ahmad. 0.69 g, year 308 (Islamic calendar).
The negative value refers to time Before Christ.