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. 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.
Upa
Spearhead, iron. With socket and rhombic blade.
Spearhead, iron. With socket and rhombic blade. Such spearheads are dated in Latvia to the 13th-14th centuries, especially to the period after the mid-13th century, although similar spearheads spread in Europe as early as the late 12th century (Brūzis 2012, 74-75). Similar ones have been found in Saaremaa, for example in the Rahu cemetery, where they are previously dated to the 11th century (Mägi 2002, Pl. XII, XV), but are probably later. Late 12th century – ca 1300.
Literature:
Brūzis, R. 2012.14.-16. gadsimta tuvcīņas ieroči Rīgā. – Sēna Rīga, 7. Pētījumi pilsētas arheoloģijā un vēsturē. Latvijas vēstures institūta apgāds: Rīga, 64-94.
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. Read the book: here. Look at the drawings of the archaeological excavations: here.
Valjala hillfort
Bracelet, bronze. Bracelets made of multiple twisted wires have been dated to the 12th and 13th centuries and are mainly found in mainland Estonia, especially in Northern Estonia.
Bracelet, bronze. Bracelets made of multiple twisted wires have been dated to the 12th and 13th centuries and are mainly found in mainland Estonia, especially in Northern Estonia (Valk & Laul 2014, 118). Bracelets of this type were also widespread in the territories of the Votes and Izhorians as well as in Novgorod (Mägi 2002, 106). Since such bracelets occur mainly in inhumation graves and only seldom in cremations, they were probably taken into use in the very end of the 12th century.
Literature:
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. Read the book: here. Look at the drawings of the archaeological excavations: here.
Laul, S., Valk, H. 2014. Siksälä kalme, I. Muistis ja ajalugu. Tartu ülikool: Tartu.
Fragment of chisel.
Chisel.
Valjala hillfort
Javelin head with short rhomboid blade and a long tang that thickens in the lowest part, iron.
Javelin head with short rhomboid blade and a long tang that thickens in the lowest part, iron. According to the context it can be dated mainly to the 12th-13th centuries, but as suggested by Brūzis, such rhomboid blades were also characteristic of 14th century javelins (Brūzis 2016, 120-121, Pl. I XIV).
Literature:
Brūzis R. 2016. Tuvcīņas ieroči Latvijā 14.–16. gadsimtā. – Rīga: Latvijas vēstures institūta apgāds.
Semi-manufactured row, iron. Such finds in Sigtuna have been associated with ship-building (Edberg 2013).
Literature:
Edberg, R. 2013. Subterranean Maritime Archaeology in Sigtuna, Sweden: Excavated evidence of Viking Age boat building and repair. – International Journal of Nautical Archaeology 42(1), 196-204.
Cross-shaped pendant. According to Tuuli Kurisoo’s classification subtype B1.5.1 that have, among othrs, been found from Pada inhumation cemetery of mainly the 13th century (e. g. grave XXV). Unusual subtype that has presently only been found in Estonia (Kurisoo 2021, 62-63).
Literature:
Kurisoo, T. 2021. Adornment, self-definition, religion: Pendants of the north-eastern Baltic Sea region, 9th-13th century. Studien zur Siedlungsgeschichte und Archäologie der Ostseegebiete, Band 19. Hamburg: Wachholz.
Valjala hillfort
Bronze penannular brooch with faceted terminals, decorated. Widespread type in Estonia, mainly in the 12th century.
Bronze penannular brooch with faceted terminals, decorated. Widespread type in Estonia, mainly in the 12th century.
Literature:
Pauts, H. 1997. Pahaga hoburaudsõled Eestis. (Töid ajaloo alalt, I.) Eesti Ajaloomuuseum, Tallinn, 79-115.
Valjala hillfort
Fragment of a bronze bracelet, re-made as a finger-ring (?).
Bracelet, bronze. Bracelets made of multiple twisted wires have been dated to the 12th and 13th centuries and are mainly found in mainland Estonia, especially in Northern Estonia (Valk & Laul 2014, 118). Bracelets of this type were also widespread in the territories of the Votes and Izhorians as well as in Novgorod (Mägi 2002, 106). Since such bracelets occur mainly in inhumation graves and only seldom in cremations, they were probably taken into use in the very end of the 12th century.
Literature:
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. Read the book: here. Look at the drawings of the archaeological excavations: here.
Laul, S., Valk, H. 2014. Siksälä kalme, I. Muistis ja ajalugu. Tartu ülikool: Tartu.
