Säilivusajast

Säilivusajast is a term used to describe a specific historical period in Estonia, which is roughly equivalent to the 13th to 14th centuries. During this time, the Estonian land was largely inhabited by the Oeselians, the Livonians, and the Sāmsalas.

The Säilivusajast period began after the end of the Livonian crusade, which had seen the Livonian Order establish dominance over the region. However, the term Säilivusajast does not specifically refer to a period of foreign rule, but rather to the time when the ethnic Estonian inhabitants of the land began to resist their foreign overlords.

In historical records, the Säilivusajast period is notable for a significant increase in the number of landowners who identified themselves as Estonians, rather than being classified solely as Livonians or Oeselians. This development suggests an emerging sense of national identity among the Estonian people during this time.

Archaeological evidence from settlements, coins, and cultural artifacts confirm that the Säilivusajast period saw significant economic, social, and cultural changes in the region. The limited and scattered nature of available records, however, makes it difficult to draw a full picture of the era.

The Säilivusajast period is often regarded as a time of transition and resurgence for the Estonian people, marking the beginning of a gradual reassertion of Estonian dominance over the territory that would eventually become the modern nation state of Estonia.