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.
Viltina
Big spiral, copper alloy.
Viltina
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.
Spiral finger-ring, copper alloy. Spiral finger-rings were worn in a wide area on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea and the north-western part of Russia. In some cases, it can be difficult to differentiate between simple spiral finger-rings and larger bronze spirals used for other purposes (Mägi 2002, 108).
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.
Valk, H. & Laul, S. 2014. Siksälä kalme I: Muistis ja Ajalugu. Tartu ülikool, Ajaloo ja arheoloogia instituut, Tallinn.
Viltina
Big spirals, 4, copper alloy.
Viltina
Big spiral, copper alloy.
Viltina
Big spiral, copper alloy.
Viltina
Big spirals, 3, copper alloy.
Finger-ring, copper alloy. 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).
Mägi, M. 2002. At the crossroads of space and time: graves, changing society and ideology on Saaremaa (Ösel), 9th–13th centuries AD. Tallinn.
Viltina
Big spirals, 4, copper alloy.
