On the relations between the countries around the Baltic as indicated by the background of Viking Age spearhead ornament Mägi-Lôugas, Marika Fornvännen 88(1993), 211-221 http://kulturarvsdata.se/raa/fornvannen/html/1993_211 Ingår i: samla.raa.se On the Relations between the Countries around the Baltic as Indicated by the Background of Viking Age Spearhead Ornament

By Marika Mägi-Löugas

Mägi-I.eiugas, M., 1994. On lhe relations belween the countries around the Baltic as indicated by lhe background of Viking Age spearhead ornament.

The artide deals wilh Estonian silver-ornamenled spearheads from lhe Viking Age, the ornaments of which are mostly unpublished as yet. Twenty-eight such spearheads have been found in Estonia. They can be divided according lo the ornament into three groups which have been widespread at different times. The temporal differences are also reflected by the distribution maps of the three spearhead ornament groups. A paralld study of the 16 Latvian and 64 Finnish decorated spearheads has been provided. The silver-ornamenled spearheads in the easlern Baltic area and Finland are Scandinavian imports, although lhe possibility of their having been manufac­ lured locally, especially in the second half of the llth century, cannol be exduded.

Marika Mägi-Löugas, Department of Archaeology, Institute of History, Ruutli 6, 200101 Tallinn, Estonia.

As demonstrated hy grave finds, the spear was role among the Estemians' arms. In addition the most common weapon of the Viking Age to its functions as a weapon the spear was also Estonian warrior. Other weapons like the a ritual artefact used in e.g. casting lots, de- hattle axe and particularly the sword occur daring war and conduding peace (HCL 1982, considerably less often in graves here. The I: 10, II: 5, XII: 6). burials of Estonian warriors have been similar The custom of decorating swords and in this regard to Finnish ones but different spears with different ornaments reached Esto­ from Scandinavian graves where the sword nia from the west, obviously primarily from too occupied a rather important place. It was central Sweden and Gotland. No local method an expensive weapon and probably difficult to of decoration has come tei light; although to­ obtain for warriors on the eastern shore of the wards the end of the Viking Age spearheads Baltic Sea, hence the far more extensive use of were partly decorated locally, Scandinavian the spear. examples were followed. The types of spear­ The first descriptions of the Estonians' heads to be decorated, too, are mostly com­ arms derive from the early 13th century mon in the Baltic area. There are few traces of chronicle written by Henricus de Lettis, i.e. ornaments of a different type among grave from the post-Viking Age period. Notwith- furniture in Estonia. Only the Raatvere ceme­ standing the chrcinider gives the impression tery in east Estonia has yielded spearheads that then at least the spear played the leading where the upper part of the shaft is sunound-

15-935224 Fornvännen ss (1993) 212 M. Mägi-Löugas

Fig, 1. Some Estonian silver-decorated spearheads. Left to right: Ulemiste (No. 16), Kaarma (No, 1), Viltina (No. 2), Viltina (No. 3). Photo by E. Väljal.

Fornvännen 88 (1993) \ ikiug Age spearhead ornament 213 ed by a ring with a pendant or a banner (Lavi riods. The Estonian material thus offers more 1984, p. 406). The scant material need not possibilities than do Finnish and Latvian reflect lack of interest in decorating weapons spearheads for dassifying and dating the dif­ in the Viking Age, however; rather, it may be a ferent types of ornament. case of burial customs unsuitable for preser­ The ornamentation of the Finnish spear­ vation of such attributes. heads was dassified by P.-L. Lehtosalo-Hi- The chronology of weapons in Estonia in lander (Lditosalo-Hilander 1985). She divid­ the Late Irein Age, i.e. the Viking Age and the ed the 64 spearheads feiund there into nine or subsequent period, relies principally on the 10 groups according to their ornament. Un­ chronology of Scandinavian weapon types and fortunatdy no detailed description of the five is not yet definite. The distribution, and par­ M-type spearheads is available. The ornament ticularly the time of use, of different spear­ of one eif them has been published and is of head types in Estonia are undear. The solu­ the Ringcrike type, while there is no informa­ tion of these questions is complicated by the tion about the rest. fact that cremation burials were common in There are no detailed studies of the Latvian Estonia throughout the Viking Age as well as silver-decorated spearheads but they are men­ the greater part of the subsequent period, and tioned by E. lYinisson and A. Anteins who human remains and finds tend to be in disor­ examined the technique of damascening der in the grave. Obvieiusly such confusion (Tcinisson 1974, Anteins 1973). Since several makes dating more difficult since it is rarely spearheads mentioned by the latter either lack possible to determine which grave goods be­ a precise number or are not to be found un­ long tei which burial. der the given number, the total quantity of Traces of Scandinavian ornament have the Latvian silver-decorated spearheads re­ been discovered on the stickets of 28 Estonian mains uncertain. In view of the fact that doser spearheads frenn the Viking Age. The original investigation revealed no ornament at all on at silver coating on the socket has in most cases least one of the spearheads mentioned by A. either melted in the fire during cremation or Anteins lhe present paper takes the number acquired a blackish hue eibviously because of of Latvian spearheads to be 16, some of which burning in a sulphur-rich environment. The are not definite (see the Table). blackish hue resembles dross. The lines of the As to Scandinavian researchers, S. Horn ornament have often also been preserved Fäiglesang has studied the ornamented spear­ witheiut their silver covering since they have heads of the Ringerike type (Funglesang cut into the surface of the plated socket. At 1980). Since it is obvious that by no means all the same time in several cases the silver, ex- of them have been published it is impossible panding in the heat, has Glied the lines so they to determine the exact number of Swedish, are barely discemible. It can be stated wilh Norwegian and Danish spearheads. full certainly that part of the eirnamentation The Estonian silver-ornamented spearheads of spearhead sockels has been completely de­ can be divided into three groups. The first of st re lyed. them is represented by a single E-type spear­ The ornaments of Estonian silver-plated head found in Kaarma parish on the Island of spearheads are mostly unpublished a.s yet. The Saaremaa (No. 1; Fig. 1). The eirnament con­ majority of the published drawings date from sists of graduatcd rhombs and dates frenn ei­ the beginning of this century and represent ther the Oth, or the first hall of the 1 Oth onlv the best preserved specimens. Only the century. Spearheads with an ornament of geo­ ornament of the Randvere spearhead has metrical elements or rows of loops and other been published since then. motifs have been feiund in different parts of Iu the course eif the present study the orna­ Seandinavia. The majority come from Norway ments of all the silver-plated spearheads have but they also occur in Sweden, particularly been copied. The general picture is varied and Gotland, and Denmark. On the other hand, obviously contains ornaments of different pe­ only single- linds of such spearheads are

Förmannen 88 (1993) 214 M. Mägi-Löugas

Table. Silver-decorated spearheads in Estonia and Latvia

Spear­ Orna­ head Damase, mental Ornament earlier Museum, No. type or not group published

Estonian spearheads 1. Kaarma AI 499 E -(?) I Aspelin 1884, No. 1960; Anteins 1973, Fig. 98: 26 ecl. 2. Viltina, Pöide, AI 3884: 1671 M + II: 1 - Saaremaa 3. Viltina, Pöide, AI 3884: 3905 K/M + II: 2 Anteins 1973, Saaremaa Fig. 98: 18 ecl. 4. Muhu, Saaremaa AI K 43: 3 K/M + II - 5. Paju, Kihelkonna, ? M ? II: 1 partly: Aspelin 1884, No. Saaremaa 1954; Nerman 1929, Fig. 105 ect. 6. Saaremaa Al K 88: 199 G + II: 2 Ebert 1914, Fig. 8; Nerman 1929, Fig. 108; Anteins 1973, Fig. 98: 21 ect. 7. Saaremaa AI K 85: 119 G + II: 3 Anteins 1973, Fig. 98: 22 ecl. 8. Rahu, Valjala, AI 4213 G + II Saaremaa 9. Viltina, Pöide, AI 3884: 1537 G + III — Saaremaa 10. Randvere, Kaarma, AI 3895: 242 G + III: 1 Kustin 1962, Pl. XII: 1 ect. Saaremaa 11. Saaremaa AI K 85: 116 G + III: 1 partly: Nerman 1929, Fig. 107; Anteins 1973, Fig. 98: 7 ect. 12. Saaremaa AI K 85: 117 G + III: 3 - 13. Kurevere graveyard, AI 4368: 140 G 5 III: 1 — Kihelkonna, Saaremaa 14. Loona, Kaarma, AI 507: 4 G ? III — Saaremaa 15. Mui, Pöide, AI 2712: 15 G + ? - Saaremaa 16. Ulemiste, Tallinn AI 2840 M — 11: 1 - 17. Igavere, AI 2516: 1 M + II: 1 — Maarja-Magdaleena 18. Lttmandu, Märjamaa AI 2555: 1 G + II - 19. Rabavere, Mihkli AI 3316: 1 K/M + II: 1 - 20. Sammaste, Halliste VM 10234: 278 K/M? ? II: 1 - 21. Kalmeistri, Liiganuse AI 4183 G + III: 1 - 22. Lahepera, Kodavere AI 1984: 131 G — III: 2 - 23. Rohu, Simuna AM 107: 2 G + III: 1 partly: Anteins 1973, Fig. 98: 6. 24. Varbola, Nissi AI 3403: 3 G — 111 - 25. I.ehtse, Ambla AI 3937 G + III: 1 Anteins 1973, Fig. 98: 16 ect. 26. I.iimandu, Märjamaa AM 369: 38 G + III: 1 - 27. Väike-Kareda, Peelri AM613 G + 111:2 - 28. I.eevre, Kullamaa HM 3074: 43 G + III: 1 -

Latvian spearheads 29. Cämkanu-Drengeru ? I-K + 1 Atgazis 1990, Fig. 8. 30. I.aukskola, Salaspils LVM V 8943: 1 E + I Anteins 1973, Fig. 98: 28. 31. Laukskola, Salaspils I.VI 1228: 2 G + 11: 1 -

Fornvännen 88 (1993) Viking Age spearhead ornament 215

Spear­ Orna­ head Damase. mental Ornament earlier Museum, No. type or nen group published

32. Salaspils LVM I 907 G + II: 3 Anteins 1973, Fig. 98: 19. 33. Vampeniesi 5 G + ? - 34. Krimulda LVM A 65121 G + special Anteins 1973, Fig. 98: 20. 35. Turaida Berlin? G + special Nerman 1929, Fig. 104; Anteins 1973, Fig. 98: 27, 36. Krimulda AI 1968: 7 G + p - 37. Krimulda LVM I 1004 G + III: 1 Anteins 1973, Fig. 98: 4. 38. Salaspils LVM I 905 G + 111:2 Anteins 1973, Fig. 98: 1. 39. Turaida Berlin? G + p - 40. Turaida Berlin? G + III: 1 Nerman 1929, Fig. 103; Anteins 1973, Fig. 98: 17. 41. Liepkalne LVM V 8284: 1 G + p - 42. Sigulda London? G + special Anteins 1973, Fig. 98: 8. 43. Courland l.VM 30 A/64 G + III: 1? Anteins 1967, Fig. 3: 2. 44. Kazdanga LVM V 7968: 1 G + III: 1 -

known in the eastern Baltic area, with the spearheads with a transitional ornament exception of East-Prussia where at least 15 which includes elements of both the Ringerike spearheads ornamented with the "herring- and the Runic style. The description of only bone pattern", loops or a geometrical pattern one of the five possible Finnish spearheads have come to light (Kulakeiv 1990). with the type of ornament mentioned abeive The group I ornament is characterised by has been published (Leppäaho 1064, pl. 56). the use of different metals, or metals of differ­ On the other hand, the number of the Ringe- ent colours, to form the ornament (Oldeberg rike-style spearheads feiund in Estonia roughly 1066, pp. 105-200). Judging by the spear­ corresponds to that of runic animal-style head types, this technique of ornamentation spearheads (12 to 14). Towards the end of the seems to have been used for a leing period Viking Age and thereafter, when runic ani­ throughout the Viking Age. Such ornamenta­ mals were engraved on spearhead sockels, tion has been applied to E-, I- K- and K-type such luxurious weapons spread to all these spearheads, but also in some cases to G-type areas. No cardinal differences in burial cus­ spearheads dating from the second half of the toms which might account for the different Viking Age. The spearheads found in Kaarma, distribution of different ornaments in the Estonia, and Cunkanu-Drengcru and Lauks- above-mentieined three countries at the time kola, Latvia (Nos. 20 and 30) belong to the E- when the Ringerikc style was widespread can and I-K-types and seem to fäll into an earlier be observed, at least on the basis of available period than the rest, therefore eibviously the material. middle or first half of the Viking Age. The Ringerike style is generally dated in the When the Ringerike style evolved in Seandi­ Neirdic countries from the end of the lOth navia towards the end of the lOth centuiy it century until the middle or perhaps third soon reached the territory of present-day Es- quarter of the 1 Ith centuiy. During senne two tonia on spearhead sockels, 12 eif which are decades in the middle of lhe 1 Ith centuiy the represented here. Ringerikc and the subsequent Urnes or Riniit One cannot help noticing thal considerably style existed simullancously. more spearheads decorated in the Ringerikc The spearhead types used for ornamenling style have been found in Estonia than in either also correspond to the Ringerikc period. Latvia or Finland. Only three Latvian finds Types K and M are generally linked with this are known. 'fo this number can be added two style. In addition some researchers have elis-

Inrnvnnnen SS (1991) 216 Af. Mägi-Löugas

Fig. 2. Some ornaments in lhe Ringerike style on the sockels of Estonian spear­ heads. 1-Viltina (No. 2); 2-Rabavere (No. 19); 3—Igavere (No, 17); 4—Saaremaa (No. 7); 5-Viltina (No. 3); Sam- maste (No. 20).

tinguished an intermediate form. S. Horn Ringerikc style (group II) may be divided into Fuglesang calls it the K/M-type and, relying three subgroups according to their ornament. on the ornament, supposes that the K-type The first (Fig. 2: 1, 2, 3, 6) is the typical preceded the M-type, while the K/M-type was Ringerike ornament with the surface of the the transitional form (Horn Funglesang 1980, socket divided into separate pictorial fields p. 41). It must be noted that while in Seandi­ which on Estonian spearheads are rhombic or navia all the above-mentioned types were triangulär. Notched lines to bring out certain widespread among the decorated spearheads, elements and piles in the upper part of the the decorated K-type is entirely missing east of socket (Fig. 2: 2, 3) often occur. In one case a the Baltic Sea. Yet four Estonian spearheads part of the ornament has been covered with decorated in the Ringerike style belong to the gold (Fig. 2: 2). All the spearheads belonging K/M-type. Occurrence of the Ringerike style to group II: 1 fall under either the K/M- or on G-type spearhead sockels may be also con­ M-type which may be an indication of the sidered a peculiarity of Estonia and Latvia. It somewhat earlier occurrence of this subgroup may be a reflection of their derivalion from in comparison with the rest of the group II the final stage of the Ringerike phase, consid- spearheads. It is borne out by comparative ering the fact that the spearheads eif the fol­ material, e.g. the sword pommel found in the lowing group, i.e. those decorated with runic Liiva-Putla grave in Saaremaa decorated with animals, belong without exception to the G- a typical Ringerike-style ornament, which be­ type. The intermediate forms between the longs to Petersen's T-type and is dated to the Ringerikc and the Runic style are also known end of the lOth or beginning of the llth to occur on the G-type spearhead stickets. century. The Estonian spearheads decorated in the Analogues to subgroup II: 1 spearheads are

Fornvännen 88 (1993) Viking Age spearhead ornament 217

known to have been found in several parts of In the middle of the llth century a new Seandinavia, particularly the Mälar area in style prevailed in Seandinavia, known as the Sweden. The Latvian spearheads, too, as well Urnes or, prindpally in Sweden, Runic style. as the single published M-type spearhead A new, accompanying, feature was the ele­ from Finland, belong to this subgroup. gant, snake-like runic animals to be seen on Two Estonian spearheads (Fig. 2:5), one of numerous runic stones which naturally them the K/M-, the other the G-type, belong enough also appear in spearhead ornamenta­ to subgroup 11:2. Their ornament is dominat- tion. ed by large spirals in the middle of the socket. Spearheads with ornamentation in the Ru­ The only known analogue is the M-type spear­ nic style were widespread primarily in Fin­ head found in Valsgärde cemetery. A sword land. The number of finds reaches 56 (Lehto- pommel decorated with similar spirals has salo-Hilander 1085, tab. 7). Half of the Esto­ been feiund in the Maidla stone-grave in West nian (14) and the majeirity of the Latvian (9) Estonia. Judging by its shape it dates from silver-ornamented spearheads, too, are deco­ about the year 1000 or the beginning of the rated with runic animals. In addition two llth century. specimens are kneiwn to have been found near Subgroup 11:3 (Fig. 2: 4) is peculiar and the Kiev in the Ukraine (Kirpitshnikov 1966, pl. only known paralld comes from Salaspils in VI: 2). the lower reaches of the Daugava in Latvia. As far as is known, the Runic style occurs The ornament is characterised by the "sun only on the G-type spearheads' sockels. The motif" in the centre of a rhombic pictorial G-type has several subtypes in Estonia but field. Since both known spearheads of this their tempenal sequence and distribution is kind belong to the G-type and their ornament not entirely clear. This spearhead type was already contains features indicative of the Ru- used at least east of the Baltic Sea until the nic style it is to be supposed thal they repre­ end of the 1 Ith century. sent the last subgroup of group II which most The Estonian Runic-style spearheads probably dates from the middle of the llth (group 111) can be divided into three sub- century. groups according to the shape of the animal Aneither kind of ornament which might be depicted. As it is, Estonia cannot even ap­ considered a transitional form between the proach Finland in the abundance and diversi- Ringerikc and the Runic style has been found ty of spearheads decorated with runic ani­ in the territory of the Gauja Livonians. I am mals. referring to the Krimulda (No. 34) and Tur­ In the Baltic countries subgroup III: 1 (Fig. aida (No. 35) G-type spearheads decorated 3: 1,2, 4, 6), which corresponds to group 6 with an ornament of closely interwoven plant in P.-L. Lehtosalo-Hilander's dassification, and animal motifs. The animals with heads seemt to be lhe most widespread. Its charac­ resenibling the early Urnes-style and ends teristic feature is the twisting of the animafs typical of the plant ornament are interwoven body and tail into the shape of a figure eight, according to the scheme characteristic eif the with the head usually located on the side. Ringerikc style, feirming rhombic and triangu­ Teardrop- or leaf-shapeel or either motifs are lär pictorial fields. This intermediate group common in the upper part of the socket. Part includes also the Kyrings spearhead from of the ornament on one of the Estonian spear­ Gotland (Thålin-Bergman 1983, Fig. 15), the heads (Fig. 3: 6) has been gilded. spearhead found in the Danubc at Budapest In case of subgroup III: 2 the head of the (Horn Fuglesang 1080, pl. 81: D) and the animal lies along the lower edge of the socket Bondary spearhead found near Kiev (Arne while its body forms a single loop (Fig. 3: 2). It 1043, Fig. 1). All the above-mentiemed spear­ corresponds to P.-L. Lehtosalo-Hilander's heads with the exception of the Budapest one group 3 represented by five specimens in Fin­ whose shape is not known belong to the G- land. type. The feature meist characteristic of sub-

Fomvännen 88 (1993) 218 M. Mägi-Löugas

Fig. 3. Some ornaments in the Runic slyle on the sock­ els of Estonian spearheads. 1—Saarema (No. 11); 2-V äike-Kareda (No. 27); 3-Leevre (No. 28); 4-Kal- meislri (No. 21); 5—Saare­ maa (No. 12); 6—Randvere (No. 10).

group III: 3 is a clearly defined foreleg with a types is confirmed by the distribution maps of spiral formed at its attachment to the body. the silver-ornamented spearheads (Figs. 4—6). The only spearhead with such an ornament It seems as if a shift towards the east occurred found outside Finland so far comes from Saa­ in the course of time. While decorated spear­ remaa (Fig. 3: 5). Four such spearheads have heads belonging to group 1 are mostly found been feiund in Finland, and belong to group 2 in Seandinavia, the Ringerike-style specimens in P.-L. Lehtosalo-Hilander's dassification. are already distributed more or less equally Since the G-type spearheads were used över between central Sweden and the Baltic coun­ a fairly long period the ornament is the princi­ tries. Spearheads with runic animals have pal guide to dating greiup 111 spearheads. been found almost without exception in Fin­ Considering the prevalence of the Runic style, land and the Baltic countries. they fall inte) the period from the seceind quar­ The explanatiem obviously lies in different ter of the 1 Ith centuiy until the beginning of burial customs. The greater part of the Late the 12th centuiy, but most preibably the sec­ Iron Age grave finds in Estonia date from the ond half of the llth centuiy. The possible second half of this period. Already the 7th temporal differences between the subgroups and the Sth centuiy, i.e. the period innnedi- cannot be distinguished on the basis of the ately preceding the Viking Age, is conspicu- available material. ous for the small number of remains. At the A good many swordhilt delails with Runic- same time it was in the Early Viking Age that style ornament have been found in Estemia, many weapons were laid in graves in Seandi­ too, bul in those cases the ornament is on the navia. Towards the middle of the Viking Age- whole limited to a simple figure eight motif. the importance of weapons as grave goods The sequence of the different ornament declined and had become negligible by the

Fornvännen SS (1993) Viking Age spearhead ornament 219

Fig. 4. Distribution of silver-decorated spearheads Fig. 6. Distribution of silver-decorated spearheads of group I in Europé. 1—One specimen; 2—Two to of group III in Europé. 1—Spearhead with Runic- ten specimens. slyle ornament; 2—Spearhead with presumably Ru­ nic-slyle ornament; 3—Finnish spearheads with Ru­ nic-slyle ornament (56 specimens). end eif the period. The scarcity of Scandina­ vian imports, induding ornamented spear­ heads, in Estonia in the first half of the Viking subsequent period. It was not until the llth Age may also be indicative of the comparative century that enrichment of the society could poverty of the society in comparison with the be observed in Estonia. All researchers dealing with silver-decorat­ ed spearheads have generally regarded such luxurious weapons as produets of Seandina­ via. Yet the opinion that some of them may have been manufactured locally in the eastern Baltic area or Finland has also been put for­ ward. E. Tonisson has suggested that decorat­ ed spearheads may have been manufactured in lhe territory of the Gauja Livonians (Tonis­ son 1074, p. 108). This theory was supported by P.-L. Lehtosalo-Hilander who sees it as a possible explanation for the differences of spearhead ornaments between Finland and the eastern Baltic area. In her opinion tlie- Riugerike-style spearheads found in Latvia and Estonia may have been manufacturecl lo­ cally while Finland, having doser links with Sweden, received ornamented weapons from Seandinavia (Lehtosalo-Hilander 1085, p. Fig. 5. Distribution of silver-decorated spearheads 27). However, from thal particular point of of group II in Europé-. 1—Spearhead wilh Ringe- view this hypothesis is not convincing as the rike-Style ornament; 2—Spearhead with presumably Ringerike-style ornament; 3—Spearhead with låter specimens with innit animals have also Ringerike and Runic-slyle ornament (iransilional been found inostly in the neighbourhood of form). Gauja.

Fornvännen 88 (1993) 220 M. Mägi-Löugas

A more accurate answer to the question of they are to be found chiefly in regions closely origin might be provided by a doser study of connected with western trade right down to the spearhead ornament techniques. In the Kiev, located by one of the major east-west framework of the present research, too, some water routes. attention was paid to the silver-plating and ornament techniques, which revealed some Referenser differences connected primarily with the obvi­ Anteins, A. K. 1973. Damastskaya stal v stranah has- ously latest spearheads. For example, some seina Baltiiskova morya. Riga. group III spearheads lack the usual grooving Arne, T. J. 1943. Gotland-Kiev under vikingatiden. Gotländsk Arkiv. under the coating of silver which was intended Aspelin, J. R. 1884. Muinasjäännöksiä Suomen suvun to fadlitate the combination of the two met­ asumusaloilta. V. Helsingfors. als. Instead, the surface of the socket has been Atgazis, M. 1990. Petijumi Cunkanu-Drengeru ka- simply roughened. Such spearheads usually pulauka un aizsardzibas izrakumi Pludonu II belong to the short G-type with sometimes apmetne. Zinatniskas at.skaites sesijas materiali par arheologu un etnografi! 1988. un 1989. goda peti- rounded blade which in some cases is not jumu rezultatiem. Riga. damascened. Another conspicuous feature is Ebert, M. 1914. Zu den Beziehungen der Ostsee­ the rough execution of the ornament often provinzen mit Skandinavien in der ersten Hälfte connected with the above-mentioned differ­ des 11. Jhs. Baltische Studien zur Archäologie und Geschichte. Berlin. ences. Henriku Liivimaa kroonika (Henrici Chronicon Lyvon- In a comparison of such short, coarsely ex­ iae) (HCL). 1982. Tallinn. ecuted Runic-slyle spearheads with more lux- Horn Fuglesang, S. 1980. Some Aspects of the Ringe­ urious specimens, particularly those belong­ rike Style. A Phase of 1 Ith Century Scandinavian ing to group II, the difference becomes glar- Art. Odense. Kirpilshnikov, A. N. 1966. Drevnerusskoje oruzhie. ing. However, it must be noted here that 11. Moscow-Leningrad. group II spearheads are also better preserved Kulakov, V. I. 1990. Drevno.sti prussov Vl-XllI vv. and some of them have obviously never been Moscow. in fire. This may result from differences in Kustin, A. 1962. Randvere kivikalmistu Saaremaal. burial customs. Group II spearheads, on the Muistsed kalmedja aarded. Tallinn. Lavi, A. 1984. Ob issledovaniyah v Raatvere. Arheo- other hand, have for the most part been great­ logicheskie otkrytya 1982 goda. Moscow. ly damaged by fire which of course makes it Lehtosalo-Hilander, P.-L. 1985. Viikinkiajan more difficult to study their ornamentation aseista. Leikkejä luvuilla ja lohikäärmeillä. Suo­ technique. men Muinaismuistoyhdistys. Suomen Museo 1985. Leppäaho, J. 1964. Späleisenzeilliche Waffen aus To sum up, it can be said that, although the Finland. Schwertinschriflen und Waffenverzie- greater part of silver-ornamented spearheads rungen de-s 9.-12. Jahrhunderts. Suomen Muina- come from Seandinavia and were obviously ismuistoyhdislyksen Aikakauskirja 61. brought to the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea Nerman, B. 1929. Die Verbindungen zwischen Skan­ from central Sweden and Gotland, the possi­ dinavien und dem Ostbaltikum in der jungeren Ei­ senzeit. Stockholm. bility cannot be entirely exduded that at­ Oldeberg, A. 1966. Metallteknik under vikingatid och tempts were made to manufacture them local­ medeltid. Slockholm. ly, particularly in the second half eif the 11 th Thålin-Bergman, L. 1983. Järn och järnsmide för centuiy. Scandinavian patterns have been fol­ hemmabruk och avsalu. Gutar och vikingar. Stockholm. lowed in any case. The location of finds of Tonisson, E. 1974. Die Cuuja-Liven und ihre materi­ such spearheads east of the Baltic Sea, too, elie Kultur (II. fh. —Anfang 13. jhs.). Ein Beitrag reflects links with the Scandinavian countries: zur ostbaltischen Eruhgeschichte. Tallinn.

Fornvännen 88 (1993) Viking Age spearhead ornament 221

Sammanfattning

Materialet från Estlands vikingatid (ca förknippas med denna stil, är det i Estland 800-1050) är ganska sällsynt och det är ofta huvudsakligen spjutspetsar av M-typ, en över­ svårt att avgöra vad som tillhör vikingatiden gångsform K/M och till och med G-typ som och vad som tillhör tidig medeltid. Datering har smyckats på detta sätt. De kan dateras från och typologisering kompliceras av det faktum slutet av 900-talet till 1000-talets mitt. att brandgravskicket allmänt förekom i Est­ Fjorton estniska ornerade spjutspetsar land under hela vikingatiden liksom under tillhör grupp III, som kännetecknas av run­ den följande perioden, och bålrester, brända stens- eller Urnesstil. De flesta spjutspetsar, ben och fynd ligger vanligtvis omblandade i som har ornerats i denna stil, har påträffats i gravarna. Detta försvårar dateringsarbetet, Finland (64 exemplar). eftersom det oftast är omöjligt att avgöra till På spjutspetsar förekommer runstensstilen, vilken grav gravgodset hör. såvitt bekant, endast på spetsar av G-typ. Vissa ornamentmotiv har endast bevarats Grupp III kan efter utformningen av djur- på metallföremål, framförallt på beslag och framställningen delas in i tre undergrupper. vapen. Denna artikel utgör det första försöket Estland kan inte ens närma sig Finland när det i Estland att typindda ornamentiken och att gäller antalet och överflödet på varianter av uppskatta vad som är av lokalt ursprung och spjutspetsar ornerade med runstensdjur. De varifrån inflytandet kommit. estniska spjutspetsarna tillhörande grupp 111 Bland vapnen är det främst svärdsfästen kan dateras från 1000-talets andra fjärdedel och spjutspetsholkar som dekorerats; denna till 1100-talet; de flesta tillhör dock troligen studie behandlar den sistnämnda gruppen. 1000-talets andra hälft. Här kan man se ett starkt skandinaviskt infly­ Ornamenttypernas utveckling visas av ut- tande. Även spjutspelstyperna tycks vara im­ bredningskartorna över de silvertauscherade porterade från Skandinavien, framförallt från spjutspetsarna (fig. 4—6). Det förefaller som Sverige. De estniska dekorerade spjutspet­ om det med tiden blir dominans österut. sarna är ännu till största delen eipublicerade; Förklaringen torde ligga i förändringen av endasl de bäst bevarade exemplaren publicer­ gravskicket. I Skandinavien lades under tidig ades i början av seklet. vikingatid många vapen ned i gravarna. Denna Tjugoåtta estniska dekorerade spjutspetsar period karaktäriseras i Estland av ett litet antal kan delas in i tre huvudgrupper, som kan gravfynd. Under 1000-talet, när hela det est­ dateras med hjälp av de skandinaviska cijursti- niska samhället fick ett ökat välstånd, lades larna. många vapen ned där, medan inan i Skandina­ Den första gruppen representeras av en vien vid denna tid börjar frångå denna enda spjutspets av E-typ, påträffad i Kaarma sedvänja. socken på ön Saarema (fig. 1). Ornamentiken Man kan säga att, även om de flesta silver­ utgörs av geometriska former. Fyndet kan da­ tauscherade spjutspetsarna kom till Öster­ teras till 800-talet eller 900-talets första hälft. sjöns östkuster från Mellansverige och Got­ Spjutspetsarna i grupp II har utsmyckning i land, man inte kan utesluta möjligheten att de Ringerikestil. Denna stil är företrädd på 12 tillverkas lokalt; man har i alla fall alllid följt exemplar i Estland (fig. 2). Fastän det i Skan­ skandinaviska mönster. dinavien är spjutspetsar av K- och M-typ som

Fornvännen 88 (1993)