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.
First photo: Jaana Ratas.
Spearhead of Petersen’s E-type, iron.
Literature:
Pedersen, A. 2014. Dead Warriors in Living Memory. A Study of Weapon and Equestrian Burials in Viking-Age Denmark, AD 800-1000. – National Museums Studies in Archaeology and History, Vol. 20: 1. Copenhagen, 92-93.
Last photo: Jaana Ratas.
Spearhead of Petersen’s E-type, iron.
Literature:
Pedersen, A. 2014. Dead Warriors in Living Memory. A Study of Weapon and Equestrian Burials in Viking-Age Denmark, AD 800-1000. – National Museums Studies in Archaeology and History, Vol. 20: 1. Copenhagen, 92-93.
Mullutu
Broad-bladed bearded axe with double lugs, iron.
First photo: Jaana Ratas.
Broad-bladed bearded axe with double lugs, iron (Griciuvienė 2009, 397).
Literature:
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.
Mullutu
Disc-shaped sword pommel, iron. Such sword pommels can be dated mainly to the second half of the 12th century and to the 13th century in Latvia and probably also in Saaremaa. In Western Europe, sword pommel shapes of similar shape are known from earlier times.
Photo: Jaana Ratas.
Disc-shaped sword pommel, iron. Such sword pommels can be dated mainly to the second half of the 12th century and to the 13th century in Latvia and probably also in Saaremaa. In Western Europe, sword pommel shapes of similar shape are known from earlier times. Disc-shaped sword pommels in Estonia and Latvia have been associated with the Crusades, but quite a number have also been found in local burial sites, in Saaremaa in stone graves and in Latvia in inhumations. One has also been found in the fortress of Mārtiņsala in the lower reaches of the Daugava (Mägi 2002, 87; Tomsons 2012, 148-152).
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.
Tomsons, A. 2018. Zobeni Latvijas teritorijā no 7. līdz 16. gadsimtam. – Latvijas nacionālā vēstures muzeja raksti nr. 27. Rīga.
Mandel, M. 1991. Eesti 8. – 13. sajandi mõõkade tüpoloogiast ja dateerimisest. – Lang, V. (toim.) Muinasaja teadus I. Arheoloogiline kogumik, Tallinn, Agu, 122.
Mullutu
Sickle, iron. Similar types were used in Estonia from the 9th until the 19th century.
Sickle, iron. Similar types were used in Estonia from the 9th until the 19th century.
Literature:
Laul, S., Tõnisson, E. 1991. Muistsete sirpide ja vikatite kujunemisloost Eestis. – Lang, V. (toim.) Muinasaja teadus I. Arheoloogiline kogumik.
Mullutu
Hoe, iron. Such hoes are widespread burial goods e g in Simigallian 5th-10th century inhumations. Some are also registered in inland Estonia.
Hoe, iron. Such hoes are widespread burial goods e g in Simigallian 5th-10th century inhumations (The Semigallians, 133). Some are also registered in inland Estonia (Tvauri 2014, 89).
Literature:
Griciuvienė, E. (prepared by). 2005. Žiemgaliai. Baltų archeologijos paroda. Katalogas. The Semigallians. Baltic Archaeological Exhibition. Catalogue. Lietuvos nacionalis muziejus, Latvijas Vēstures muzejs, Vilnius – Riga, 133.
Tvauri, A. 2012. The Migration Period, Pre-Viking Age, and Viking Age in Estonia. (Estonian Archaeology, 4). Tartu University Press, Tartu, 99.
Mullutu
Stirrup, iron with silver plating. Similar stirrups are known e g from Birka and Hedeby, antoher specimen is also known from Saaremaa.
First two photos: Jaana Ratas.
Stirrup, iron with silver plating. Similar stirrups are known e g from Birka (Arbman 1940, eriti Taf. 35: 1-2) and Hedeby (Schiezel 2014, 582), antoher specimen is also known from Saaremaa (AI K 89: 28).
Literature:
Arbman, H. 1940. Birka I. Die Gräber. Tafeln. Stockholm, Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademien, esp. Taf. 35: 1-2.
Schiezel, K. 2014. Spurensuche Haithabu. Dokumentation und Chronik 1963-2013. Schleswig, Wachholtz, 582.
Disc, iron.
First photo: Jaana Ratas.
Spur, iron.
Literature
Tvauri, A. 2012. The Migration Period, Pre-Viking Age, and Viking Age in Estonia. (Estonian Archaeology, 4). Tartu University Press, Tartu, 186.
