The Migration Period, Pre-Viking Age, and Viking Age in Estonia

386 Pages·2012·7.39 MB·English

by  Andres Tvauri

Estonian Archaeology 4
Andres Tvauri
The Migration Period,
Pre-Viking Age, and
Viking Age in Estonia

The Migration Period, Pre-Viking
Age, and Viking Age in Estonia
- 1 -
The Bronze and Early Iron Ages in Estonia
- 2 -
Contents
Estonian Archaeology 4
ANDRES TVAURI
THE MIGRATION PERIOD,
PRE-VIKING AGE, AND
VIKING AGE IN ESTONIA
Tartu University Press
Humaniora: archaeologica
- 3 -
The Bronze and Early Iron Ages in Estonia
Official publication of the Institute of History and Archaeology of the University of Tartu
Estonian Archaeology
Editor-in-Chief: Valter Lang University of Tartu, Estonia
Editorial Board: Anders Andrén Stockholm University, Sweden
Bernhard Hänsel Free University of Berlin, Germany
Volli Kalm University of Tartu, Estonia
Aivar Kriiska University of Tartu, Estonia
Mika Lavento University of Helsinki, Finland
Lembi Lõugas Tallinn University, Estonia
Heidi Luik Tallinn University, Estonia
Evgeni Nosov Saint Petersburg State University, Russia
Jüri Peets Tallinn University, Estonia
Klavs Randsborg University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Jussi-Pekka Taavitsainen University of Turku, Finland
Heiki Valk University of Tartu, Estonia
Andrejs Vasks University of Latvia, Latvia
Vladas Žulkus Klaipeda University, Lithuania
Estonian Archaeology, 4
The Migration Period, Pre-Viking Age, and Viking Age in Estonia
Author: Andres Tvauri
Editor: Margot Laneman
Translators: Alexander Harding, Enn Veldi, Margot Laneman
Language editor: Mara Woods
Lay-out and illustrations: Kristel Külljastinen
Cover design: Meelis Friedenthal
Copyright University of Tartu and Andres Tvauri, 2012
ISSN 1736-3810
ISBN 978-9949-19-936-5
Tartu University Press (www.tyk.ee)
This book has been published with the support of the Centre of Excellence in Cultural Theory.
- 4 -
Contents
Contents
List of Figures 11
Abbreviations 16
Introduction
Chronology 17
About this work 19
Acknowledgements 23
Chapter 1. Historical and Natural Background
1.1. Early medieval Europe 25
1.2. Written references to Estonian territory 29
1.2.1. Icelandic sagas 29
1.2.2. Scandinavian rune stones 31
1.2.3. Latin and East Slavonic chronicles 32
1.2.4. Summary 35
1.3. Changes in natural conditions 35
1.3.1. Climate change 35
1.3.2. Neotectonic uplift 37
Chapter 2. Settlements and Households
2.1. Forts and settlement sites 39
2.1.1. The distribution and typology of forts 41
- 5 -
The Migration Period, Pre-Viking Age, and Viking Age in Estonia
2.1.2. Migration Period forts 43
2.1.3. Pre-Viking Age and Viking Age forts 45
2.1.4. The fortifications of forts 51
2.1.5. Fort-and-settlement centres 56
2.1.6. The fort and settlement of Jur’ev in Tartu 59
2.1.7. Valgjärv lake settlement 62
2.1.8. Other settlements 63
2.1.9. Buildings 65
2.2. Household tools and everyday items 69
2.2.1. Grinding stones 69
2.2.2. Pottery 69
2.2.2.1. Iru-type pottery 70
2.2.2.2. Rõuge-type pottery 76
2.2.2.3. Rare handmade pottery 79
2.2.2.4. Slavic-type wheel-thrown earthenware 82
2.2.3. Metal vessels 86
2.2.4. Vessels made of wood or bark 87
2.2.5. Lid of a small antler box 87
2.2.6. Wooden hook 87
2.2.7. Fire-making devices 88
2.2.8. Knives 90
2.2.9. Whetstones 91
2.2.10. Combs 91
2.2.11. Tweezers 92
2.2.12. Locks and keys 93
2.2.13. Nails 93
2.3. Summary 93
Chapter 3. Main Sources of Sustenance
3.1. Land cultivation 95
3.1.1. Remains of fields 95
- 6 -
Contents
3.1.2. Agricultural tools 99
3.1.2.1. Hoe blades 99
3.1.2.2. Ard-shares 99
3.1.2.3. Scythe-knives and scythes 101
3.1.2.4. Sickles 102
3.1.3. Palaeobotanical data 102
3.2. Cattle raising 105
3.3. Hunting, fishing, and forest produce 108
3.3.1. Hunting and fishing tools 108
3.3.2. Bones of wild animals and fish 109
3.3.3. Forest produce 111
3.4. Summary 111
Chapter 4. Handicrafts and Early Industry
4.1. Production sites 113
4.1.1. Iron production sites 113
4.1.2. Smelting sites for non-ferrous metals 117
4.1.3. Production sites for clay pottery 118
4.1.4. Residues and unfinished pieces of bone working 118
4.2. Tools for handicrafts 119
4.2.1. Smithing tools 119
4.2.2. Equipment for non-ferrous metal working 120
4.2.3. Leatherworking tools 123
4.2.4. Axes and other woodworking tools 123
4.2.5. Textile tools 128
4.2.6. Other handicraft tools 131
4.3. Jewellery and clothing 131
4.3.1. Jewellery 132
4.3.1.1. Brooches 132
4.3.1.2. Pins 138
4.3.1.3. Small bronze pins 144
- 7 -
The Migration Period, Pre-Viking Age, and Viking Age in Estonia
4.3.1.4. Breast chains and components thereof 145
4.3.1.5. Beads 147
4.3.1.6. Pendants 150
4.3.1.7. Neck rings 156
4.3.1.8. Bracelets 161
4.3.1.9. Finger rings 164
4.3.2. Belts and components thereof 166
4.3.2.1. Buckles 167
4.3.2.2. Belt distributors, loops, ends, and fastening plates 168
4.3.2.3. Mounts 169
4.3.2.4. Chatelaine chains 172
4.3.3. Knife sheaths 172
4.3.4. Agraffes 173
4.3.5. Textile finds and clothing 174
4.3.6. Development and regional features in jewellery fashion 177
4.4. Weapons and riding gear 180
4.4.1. Weapons 180
4.4.1.1. Swords and sword components 181
4.4.1.2. Seaxes 186
4.4.1.3. Scabbard fittings 188
4.4.1.4. Spearheads 189
4.4.1.5. Arrowheads 197
4.4.1.6. Shield parts 200
4.4.2. Riding gear 203
4.4.2.1. Bridle parts 203
4.4.2.2. Stirrups 205
4.4.2.3. Spurs 205
4.4.3. Development of weaponry 206
4.5. Production volumes and organization 209
4.6. Summary 214
- 8 -