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.
Valjala hillfort
Javelin head with knife-shaped blade and twisted neck. This weapon type was widespread in Saaremaa and coastal Estonia.
Javelin head with knife-shaped blade and twisted neck. This weapon type was widespread in Saaremaa and coastal Estonia. Similar items have been found at Valjala, Pöide and Muhu hillforts as well as in stone graves, but also in 13th-century inhumation graves at Pada, North-Estonia.
Literature:
Peets, J. & Valt, J. 2011. Ühest rauaaja lõpu relvast Saaremaal, Mandri-Eestis ja naaberpiirkondades. – Saaremaa Muuseum, kaheaastaraamat 2009–2010 (3–29). Saaremaa Muuseum, Kuressaare.
Valjala hillfort
Rivet, iron.
Valjala hillfort
Fire striking iron. Similar stike-a-ligts were used over a long period. Dated here due to the context.
Valjala hillfort
Awl.
Tanged javelin head. Similar javelin head has been found, for instance, in grave No 5 at Dundaga Laukmuiźa, Couronia, which is dated to the second half of the 13th or the first half of the 14th century (Muižnieks & Žeiere 2021, Fig. 104).
Literature:
Muižnieks, V. & Žeiere, I. 2021. Dundagas Laukmuižas 13. – 14. gadsimta senkapi. The 13th-14th Century Cemetery of Dundagas Laukmuiža. – Latvias nacionālā vēstures muzeja raksti nr. 30. Arheoloģija. Rīga, fig. 104.
Valjala hillfort
Finger-ring, bronze. This type of finger-ring has a thickened middle section with engraved diagonal grooves. A well-known type of ring in the archaeological material of the Estonian islands often found in both stone graves with cremations as well as inhumation burials.
Finger-ring, bronze. This type of finger-ring has a thickened middle section with engraved diagonal grooves. A well-known type of ring in the archaeological material of the Estonian islands often found in both stone graves with cremations as well as inhumation burials. Could have come into use already during the 12th century AD (Mägi 2002, 109).
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.
Mägi, M.; Malve, M. & Toome, T. (2019). Early Christian burials at Valjala churchyard, Saaremaa. – Archaeological Fieldwork in Estonia 2018, 93−118, 109. Read the article: here.
Valjala hillfort
Rudder? Found from the well.
Valjala hillfort
Fragments of a bark box, from the well.
Valjala hillfort
Wooden spade or paddleboard. Found from the well. At the exhibition of Saaremaa Museum.
Wooden spade or paddleboard. Found from the well. At the exhibition of Saaremaa Museum.
