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
Pin of a penannular brooch (?), bronze.
Jagged flat belt mount, bronze.
Mullutu
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).
Read more:
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. CCC papers: 6. Gotland University College, Centre for Baltic Studies; Institute of History, Department of Archaeology. Tallinn, 2002. – pane link!
Valjala hillfort
Bits.
Mullutu
Horse bits, iron.
Mount, bronze.
Mullutu
Penannular brooch with poppy-shaped terminals, bronze.
Penannular brooch with poppy-shaped terminals, bronze.
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. 100-101. Read the book: here. Look at the drawings of the archaeological excavations: here.
Mullutu
Ring, bronze.
Mullutu
Buckle, iron, square.
