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.
Saaremaa type chain holder, copper alloy.
Saaremaa type chain holder, copper alloy. Semi-oval. It is a typical chain holder of Saaremaa, also found in northern and western Estonia, with a few examples in the surrounding areas. They can be found in both cremations and inhumation burials, often together with pins of Saaremaa type. Similar chain holders are also known from the Livic areas in Latvia, where they have often been uncovered in inhumation graves together with other Saaremaa-type artefacts (Spirgis 2008, 144-145). Although previously dated to the 11th century, they were probably mainly in use in the 12th-13th centuries (Mägi 2002, 105).
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.
Spirģis, R. 2008. Bruņrupuču saktas ar krūšu važiņrotām un lībiešu kultūras attīstība Daugavs lejtecē 10.-13. gadsimtā. Rīga: Latvijas Vēstures Institūta Apgāds.
Saaremaa type chain holder, copper alloy.
Saaremaa type chain holder, copper alloy. Semi-oval, partly melted. It is a typical chain holder of Saaremaa, also found in northern and western Estonia, with a few examples in the surrounding areas. They can be found in both cremations and inhumation burials, often together with pins of Saaremaa type. Similar chain holders are also known from the Livic areas in Latvia, where they have often been uncovered in inhumation graves together with other Saaremaa-type artefacts (Spirgis 2008, 144-145). Although previously dated to the 11th century, they were probably mainly in use in the 12th-13th centuries (Mägi 2002, 105).
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.
Spirģis, R. 2008. Bruņrupuču saktas ar krūšu važiņrotām un lībiešu kultūras attīstība Daugavs lejtecē 10.-13. gadsimtā. Rīga: Latvijas Vēstures Institūta Apgāds.
Saaremaa type chain holder, copper alloy.
Saaremaa type chain holder, copper alloy. Semi-oval. It is a typical chain holder of Saaremaa, also found in northern and western Estonia, with a few examples in the surrounding areas. They can be found in both cremations and inhumation burials, often together with pins of Saaremaa type. Similar chain holders are also known from the Livic areas in Latvia, where they have often been uncovered in inhumation graves together with other Saaremaa-type artefacts (Spirgis 2008, 144-145). Although previously dated to the 11th century, they were probably mainly in use in the 12th-13th centuries (Mägi 2002, 105).
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.
Spirģis, R. 2008. Bruņrupuču saktas ar krūšu važiņrotām un lībiešu kultūras attīstība Daugavs lejtecē 10.-13. gadsimtā. Rīga: Latvijas Vēstures Institūta Apgāds.
Saaremaa type chain holder, copper alloy.
Saaremaa type chain holder, copper alloy. Semi-oval. It is a typical chain holder of Saaremaa, also found in northern and western Estonia, with a few examples in the surrounding areas. They can be found in both cremations and inhumation burials, often together with pins of Saaremaa type. Similar chain holders are also known from the Livic areas in Latvia, where they have often been uncovered in inhumation graves together with other Saaremaa-type artefacts (Spirgis 2008, 144-145). Although previously dated to the 11th century, they were probably mainly in use in the 12th-13th centuries (Mägi 2002, 105).
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.
Spirģis, R. 2008. Bruņrupuču saktas ar krūšu važiņrotām un lībiešu kultūras attīstība Daugavs lejtecē 10.-13. gadsimtā. Rīga: Latvijas Vēstures Institūta Apgāds.
Penannular brooch with faceted terminals and big spiral, copper alloy.
Penannular brooch with faceted terminals and big spiral, copper alloy. Such penannular brooches are very widespread in Estonian archaeological material (see also Mägi 2002; Mandel 2017). A big spiral is attached to the brooch’s arch.
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.) Tallinn.
Mandel, M. 2017. Maidla muinaskalmistu saladused. Eesti Ajaloomuuseum, Tallinn.12.–13. sajand
Finger-ring with a widening central part, copper alloy.
Finger-ring with a widening central part, copper alloy. Similar rings have been found in the Eura Luistari and Saramäki burials in Finland where they are dated to the 11th century (Lehtsalo-Hilander 1982, 124–126) and from Abelnieki burials in Latvia, where they are dated from the second half of the 11th century to the beginning of the 13th century (Vasks 2008, 157–158). These rings also occur in Gotland, where they are dated to the 11th-12th century in Gotland (Thunmark-Nylen 1998, Pl. 143). In Saaremaa, a similar finger-ring is recorded in Valjala churchyard where it, according to the context, belongs to the 13th or perhaps late 12th century.
Lehtsalo-Hilander, P.-L. 1982. Luistari II: The Artefacts. SMYA 82: 2. Helsinki.
Lehtsalo-Hilander, P.-L. 1982. Luistari II: The Artefacts. SMYA 82: 2. Helsinki.
Thunmark-Nylen, L. 2006. Die Wikingerzeit Gotlands. I. Abbildungen der Grabfunde. Almqvist & Wiksell, Stockholm.
Vasks, A. 2008. Kurši padurē? – Pētījumi Kuršu Senatnē. Rakstu Krājums. Latvijas Nacionālā Vēstures Muzeja Raksti, 14, 153–166.
Big spiral, copper alloy.
Big spiral, copper alloy.
Big spiral, copper alloy.
The negative value refers to time Before Christ.