diff --git a/src/core/server/README.md b/src/core/server/README.md
index 48baf35af760f..53807c4f036b8 100644
--- a/src/core/server/README.md
+++ b/src/core/server/README.md
@@ -4,9 +4,3 @@ Platform Server Modules
 Http Server
 -----------
 TODO: explain
-
-Saved Objects Service
------------
-
-Elasticsearch Service
------------
diff --git a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/__snapshots__/index_mappings.test.ts.snap b/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/__snapshots__/index_mappings.test.ts.snap
deleted file mode 100644
index 0faa88bbddebb..0000000000000
--- a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/__snapshots__/index_mappings.test.ts.snap
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
-// Jest Snapshot v1, https://goo.gl/fbAQLP
-
-exports[`saved objects index mapping constructor includes the pluginId from the extension in the _ error message if defined 1`] = `"Property names _foo registered by plugin abc123 are not allowed to start with an underscore (_)"`;
-
-exports[`saved objects index mapping constructor throws if any of the new properties start with _ 1`] = `"Property names _foo are not allowed to start with an underscore (_)"`;
diff --git a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/index_mappings.ts b/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/index_mappings.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index f3af04376be32..0000000000000
--- a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/index_mappings.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,92 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one or more contributor
- * license agreements. See the NOTICE file distributed with
- * this work for additional information regarding copyright
- * ownership. Elasticsearch B.V. licenses this file to you under
- * the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
- * not use this file except in compliance with the License.
- * You may obtain a copy of the License at
- *
- *    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- *
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
- * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
- * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
- * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
- * specific language governing permissions and limitations
- * under the License.
- */
-
-import { cloneDeep } from 'lodash';
-
-import { EsMapping, EsMappings, getRootProperties, getRootType } from './lib';
-import { formatListAsProse } from './utils';
-
-interface MappingExtension {
-  pluginId?: string;
-  properties: { [key: string]: EsMapping };
-}
-
-const DEFAULT_INITIAL_DSL: EsMappings = {
-  rootType: {
-    type: 'object',
-    properties: {},
-  },
-};
-
-export class IndexMappings {
-  private dsl: EsMappings = this.initialDsl;
-
-  constructor(
-    private initialDsl: EsMappings = DEFAULT_INITIAL_DSL,
-    mappingExtensions: MappingExtension[] = []
-  ) {
-    // ensure that the dsl can be parsed with getRootProperties() and kin
-    this.setProperties(getRootProperties(this.dsl) || {});
-
-    // extend this.dsl with each extension (which currently come from uiExports.savedObjectMappings)
-    mappingExtensions.forEach(({ properties, pluginId }) => {
-      const rootProperties = getRootProperties(this.dsl);
-
-      const conflicts = Object.keys(properties).filter(key => rootProperties.hasOwnProperty(key));
-
-      const illegal = Object.keys(properties).filter(key => key.startsWith('_'));
-
-      if (conflicts.length) {
-        const props = formatListAsProse(conflicts);
-        const owner = pluginId ? `registered by plugin ${pluginId} ` : '';
-        throw new Error(`Mappings for ${props} ${owner}have already been defined`);
-      }
-
-      if (illegal.length) {
-        const props = formatListAsProse(illegal);
-        const owner = pluginId ? `registered by plugin ${pluginId} ` : '';
-        throw new Error(
-          `Property name${
-            props.length > 1 ? 's' : ''
-          } ${props} ${owner}are not allowed to start with an underscore (_)`
-        );
-      }
-
-      this.setProperties({
-        ...rootProperties,
-        ...properties,
-      });
-    });
-  }
-
-  public getDsl() {
-    return cloneDeep(this.dsl);
-  }
-
-  private setProperties(newProperties: MappingExtension['properties']) {
-    const rootType = getRootType(this.dsl);
-    this.dsl = {
-      ...this.dsl,
-      [rootType]: {
-        ...this.dsl[rootType],
-        properties: newProperties,
-      },
-    };
-  }
-}
diff --git a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/types.ts b/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/types.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 340594dc8bef2..0000000000000
--- a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/types.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,35 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one or more contributor
- * license agreements. See the NOTICE file distributed with
- * this work for additional information regarding copyright
- * ownership. Elasticsearch B.V. licenses this file to you under
- * the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
- * not use this file except in compliance with the License.
- * You may obtain a copy of the License at
- *
- *    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- *
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
- * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
- * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
- * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
- * specific language governing permissions and limitations
- * under the License.
- */
-
-export interface EsMapping {
-  type?: string;
-  dynamic?: true | false | 'strict';
-  properties?: {
-    [key: string]: EsMapping;
-  };
-  fields?: {
-    [key: string]: EsMapping;
-  };
-}
-
-export interface EsMappings {
-  // When _doc change enforced, hardcode this to be
-  // '_doc': EsMapping;
-  [rootType: string]: EsMapping;
-}
diff --git a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/utils/index.ts b/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/utils/index.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 4f4baa2a612d0..0000000000000
--- a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/utils/index.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,20 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one or more contributor
- * license agreements. See the NOTICE file distributed with
- * this work for additional information regarding copyright
- * ownership. Elasticsearch B.V. licenses this file to you under
- * the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
- * not use this file except in compliance with the License.
- * You may obtain a copy of the License at
- *
- *    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- *
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
- * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
- * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
- * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
- * specific language governing permissions and limitations
- * under the License.
- */
-
-export { formatListAsProse } from './prose';
diff --git a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/utils/prose.ts b/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/utils/prose.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index eaa979825bb6b..0000000000000
--- a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/utils/prose.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,37 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one or more contributor
- * license agreements. See the NOTICE file distributed with
- * this work for additional information regarding copyright
- * ownership. Elasticsearch B.V. licenses this file to you under
- * the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
- * not use this file except in compliance with the License.
- * You may obtain a copy of the License at
- *
- *    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- *
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
- * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
- * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
- * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
- * specific language governing permissions and limitations
- * under the License.
- */
-
-/**
- *  Converts an array of items into a sentence-ready string.
- */
-export function formatListAsProse(list: string[], options = { inclusive: true }) {
-  const { inclusive } = options;
-
-  const count = list.length;
-  const conjunction = inclusive ? 'and' : 'or';
-
-  if (count <= 2) {
-    return list.join(` ${conjunction} `);
-  }
-
-  return list
-    .slice(0, -1)
-    .concat(`${conjunction} ${list[count - 1]}`)
-    .join(', ');
-}
diff --git a/src/core_plugins/elasticsearch/lib/__tests__/patch_kibana_index.js b/src/core_plugins/elasticsearch/lib/__tests__/patch_kibana_index.js
index 3159e1a24f97f..97301c705be1b 100644
--- a/src/core_plugins/elasticsearch/lib/__tests__/patch_kibana_index.js
+++ b/src/core_plugins/elasticsearch/lib/__tests__/patch_kibana_index.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ import { times, cloneDeep, pick, partition } from 'lodash';
 import Chance from 'chance';
 
 import { patchKibanaIndex } from '../patch_kibana_index';
-import { getRootProperties, getRootType } from '../../../../core/server/saved_objects/mappings';
+import { getRootProperties, getRootType } from '../../../../server/mappings';
 
 const chance = new Chance();
 
diff --git a/src/core_plugins/elasticsearch/lib/patch_kibana_index.js b/src/core_plugins/elasticsearch/lib/patch_kibana_index.js
index 590151b9f5459..7c52003fd1894 100644
--- a/src/core_plugins/elasticsearch/lib/patch_kibana_index.js
+++ b/src/core_plugins/elasticsearch/lib/patch_kibana_index.js
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import {
   getTypes,
   getRootType,
   getRootProperties
-} from '../../../core/server/saved_objects/mappings';
+} from '../../../server/mappings';
 
 /**
  *  Checks that the root type in the kibana index has all of the
diff --git a/src/server/kbn_server.js b/src/server/kbn_server.js
index 898f993676be9..aeae7fd60d516 100644
--- a/src/server/kbn_server.js
+++ b/src/server/kbn_server.js
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ import * as Plugins from './plugins';
 import { indexPatternsMixin } from './index_patterns';
 import { savedObjectsMixin } from './saved_objects';
 import { sampleDataMixin } from './sample_data';
-import { kibanaIndexMappingsMixin } from './saved_objects/mappings';
+import { kibanaIndexMappingsMixin } from './mappings';
 import { urlShorteningMixin } from './url_shortening';
 import { serverExtensionsMixin } from './server_extensions';
 import { uiMixin } from '../ui';
diff --git a/src/server/mappings/__snapshots__/index_mappings.test.js.snap b/src/server/mappings/__snapshots__/index_mappings.test.js.snap
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..8028886691f76
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/server/mappings/__snapshots__/index_mappings.test.js.snap
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+// Jest Snapshot v1, https://goo.gl/fbAQLP
+
+exports[`server/mapping/index_mapping constructor includes the pluginId from the extension in the _ error message if defined 1`] = `"Property names _foo registered by plugin abc123 are not allowed to start with an underscore (_)"`;
+
+exports[`server/mapping/index_mapping constructor throws if any of the new properties start with _ 1`] = `"Property names _foo are not allowed to start with an underscore (_)"`;
diff --git a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/index.ts b/src/server/mappings/index.js
similarity index 92%
rename from src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/index.ts
rename to src/server/mappings/index.js
index 4b01905bbb9f2..a5eb60dd6748e 100644
--- a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/index.ts
+++ b/src/server/mappings/index.js
@@ -17,7 +17,9 @@
  * under the License.
  */
 
-export { IndexMappings } from './index_mappings';
+export {
+  kibanaIndexMappingsMixin
+} from './kibana_index_mappings_mixin';
 
 export {
   getTypes,
diff --git a/src/server/mappings/index_mappings.js b/src/server/mappings/index_mappings.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..2a60ae7f44220
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/server/mappings/index_mappings.js
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+/*
+ * Licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one or more contributor
+ * license agreements. See the NOTICE file distributed with
+ * this work for additional information regarding copyright
+ * ownership. Elasticsearch B.V. licenses this file to you under
+ * the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+ * not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
+ * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
+ * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
+ * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
+ * specific language governing permissions and limitations
+ * under the License.
+ */
+
+import { cloneDeep, isPlainObject } from 'lodash';
+
+import { formatListAsProse } from '../../utils';
+import { getRootProperties, getRootType } from './lib';
+
+const DEFAULT_INITIAL_DSL = {
+  rootType: {
+    type: 'object',
+    properties: {},
+  },
+};
+
+export class IndexMappings {
+  constructor(initialDsl = DEFAULT_INITIAL_DSL, mappingExtensions = []) {
+    this._dsl = cloneDeep(initialDsl);
+    if (!isPlainObject(this._dsl)) {
+      throw new TypeError('initial mapping must be an object');
+    }
+
+    // ensure that we have a properties object in the dsl
+    // and that the dsl can be parsed with getRootProperties() and kin
+    this._setProperties(getRootProperties(this._dsl) || {});
+
+    // extend this._dsl with each extension (which currently come from uiExports.savedObjectMappings)
+    mappingExtensions.forEach(({ properties, pluginId }) => {
+      const rootProperties = getRootProperties(this._dsl);
+
+      const conflicts = Object.keys(properties)
+        .filter(key => rootProperties.hasOwnProperty(key));
+
+      const illegal = Object.keys(properties)
+        .filter(key => key.startsWith('_'));
+
+      if (conflicts.length) {
+        const props = formatListAsProse(conflicts);
+        const owner = pluginId ? `registered by plugin ${pluginId} ` : '';
+        throw new Error(
+          `Mappings for ${props} ${owner}have already been defined`
+        );
+      }
+
+      if (illegal.length) {
+        const props = formatListAsProse(illegal);
+        const owner = pluginId ? `registered by plugin ${pluginId} ` : '';
+        throw new Error(
+          `Property name${props.length > 1 ? 's' : ''} ${props} ${owner}are not allowed to start with an underscore (_)`
+        );
+      }
+
+      this._setProperties({
+        ...rootProperties,
+        ...properties
+      });
+    });
+  }
+
+  getDsl() {
+    return cloneDeep(this._dsl);
+  }
+
+  _setProperties(newProperties) {
+    const rootType = getRootType(this._dsl);
+    this._dsl = {
+      ...this._dsl,
+      [rootType]: {
+        ...this._dsl[rootType],
+        properties: newProperties
+      }
+    };
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/index_mappings.test.ts b/src/server/mappings/index_mappings.test.js
similarity index 71%
rename from src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/index_mappings.test.ts
rename to src/server/mappings/index_mappings.test.js
index 5075ab18c5227..f7692b1c7c6a1 100644
--- a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/index_mappings.test.ts
+++ b/src/server/mappings/index_mappings.test.js
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ import { getRootType } from './lib';
 
 const chance = new Chance();
 
-describe('saved objects index mapping', () => {
+describe('server/mapping/index_mapping', function () {
   describe('constructor', () => {
     it('initializes with a default mapping when no args', () => {
       const mapping = new IndexMappings();
@@ -38,56 +38,54 @@ describe('saved objects index mapping', () => {
       const mapping = new IndexMappings({
         foobar: {
           dynamic: false,
-          properties: {},
-        },
+          properties: {}
+        }
       });
 
       expect(mapping.getDsl()).toEqual({
         foobar: {
           dynamic: false,
-          properties: {},
-        },
+          properties: {}
+        }
       });
     });
 
     it('throws if root type is of type=anything-but-object', () => {
       expect(() => {
-        // tslint:disable-next-line:no-unused-expression
         new IndexMappings({
           root: {
-            type: chance.pickone(['string', 'keyword', 'geo_point']),
-          },
+            type: chance.pickone(['string', 'keyword', 'geo_point'])
+          }
         });
-      }).toThrowError(/not an object/);
+      }).toThrowError(/non-object/);
     });
 
     it('throws if root type has no type and no properties', () => {
       expect(() => {
-        // tslint:disable-next-line:no-unused-expression
         new IndexMappings({
-          root: {},
+          root: {}
         });
-      }).toThrowError(/not an object/);
+      }).toThrowError(/non-object/);
     });
 
     it('initialized root type with properties object if not set', () => {
       const mapping = new IndexMappings({
         root: {
-          type: 'object',
-        },
+          type: 'object'
+        }
       });
 
       expect(mapping.getDsl()).toEqual({
         root: {
           type: 'object',
-          properties: {},
-        },
+          properties: {}
+        }
       });
     });
 
     it('accepts an array of new extensions that will be added to the mapping', () => {
       const initialMapping = {
-        x: { properties: {} },
+        x: { properties: {} }
       };
       const extensions = [
         {
@@ -95,12 +93,12 @@ describe('saved objects index mapping', () => {
             y: {
               properties: {
                 z: {
-                  type: 'text',
-                },
-              },
-            },
-          },
-        },
+                  type: 'text'
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        }
       ];
 
       const mapping = new IndexMappings(initialMapping, extensions);
@@ -110,89 +108,89 @@ describe('saved objects index mapping', () => {
             y: {
               properties: {
                 z: {
-                  type: 'text',
-                },
-              },
-            },
-          },
-        },
+                  type: 'text'
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        }
       });
     });
 
     it('throws if any of the new properties conflict', () => {
       const initialMapping = {
-        root: { properties: { foo: { type: 'string' } } },
+        root: { properties: { foo: 'bar' } }
       };
       const extensions = [
         {
           properties: {
-            foo: { type: 'string' },
-          },
-        },
+            foo: 'bar'
+          }
+        }
       ];
 
       expect(() => {
-        new IndexMappings(initialMapping, extensions); // tslint:disable-line:no-unused-expression
+        new IndexMappings(initialMapping, extensions);
       }).toThrowError(/foo/);
     });
 
     it('includes the pluginId from the extension in the error message if defined', () => {
       const initialMapping = {
-        root: { properties: { foo: { type: 'string' } } },
+        root: { properties: { foo: 'bar' } }
       };
       const extensions = [
         {
           pluginId: 'abc123',
           properties: {
-            foo: { type: 'string' },
-          },
-        },
+            foo: 'bar'
+          }
+        }
       ];
 
       expect(() => {
-        new IndexMappings(initialMapping, extensions); // tslint:disable-line:no-unused-expression
+        new IndexMappings(initialMapping, extensions);
       }).toThrowError(/plugin abc123/);
     });
 
     it('throws if any of the new properties start with _', () => {
       const initialMapping = {
-        root: { properties: { foo: { type: 'string' } } },
+        root: { properties: { foo: 'bar' } }
       };
       const extensions = [
         {
           properties: {
-            _foo: { type: 'string' },
-          },
-        },
+            _foo: 'bar'
+          }
+        }
       ];
 
       expect(() => {
-        new IndexMappings(initialMapping, extensions); // tslint:disable-line:no-unused-expression
+        new IndexMappings(initialMapping, extensions);
       }).toThrowErrorMatchingSnapshot();
     });
 
     it('includes the pluginId from the extension in the _ error message if defined', () => {
       const initialMapping = {
-        root: { properties: { foo: { type: 'string' } } },
+        root: { properties: { foo: 'bar' } }
       };
       const extensions = [
         {
           pluginId: 'abc123',
           properties: {
-            _foo: { type: 'string' },
-          },
-        },
+            _foo: 'bar'
+          }
+        }
       ];
 
       expect(() => {
-        new IndexMappings(initialMapping, extensions); // tslint:disable-line:no-unused-expression
+        new IndexMappings(initialMapping, extensions);
       }).toThrowErrorMatchingSnapshot();
     });
   });
 
   describe('#getDsl()', () => {
     // tests are light because this method is used all over these tests
-    it('returns mapping as es dsl', () => {
+    it('returns mapping as es dsl', function () {
       const mapping = new IndexMappings();
       expect(typeof mapping.getDsl()).toBe('object');
     });
diff --git a/src/server/saved_objects/mappings/kibana_index_mappings_mixin.js b/src/server/mappings/kibana_index_mappings_mixin.js
similarity index 62%
rename from src/server/saved_objects/mappings/kibana_index_mappings_mixin.js
rename to src/server/mappings/kibana_index_mappings_mixin.js
index bf3d66a0093cc..5b7d8fb683c58 100644
--- a/src/server/saved_objects/mappings/kibana_index_mappings_mixin.js
+++ b/src/server/mappings/kibana_index_mappings_mixin.js
@@ -17,33 +17,34 @@
  * under the License.
  */
 
-import { IndexMappings } from '../../../core/server/saved_objects/mappings';
+import { IndexMappings } from './index_mappings';
 
 /**
- *  The default mappings used for the Kibana index. This is
- *  extended via uiExports type "mappings". See the Kibana
- *  and Timelion plugins for examples.
+ *  The default mappings used for the kibana index. This is
+ *  extended via uiExports type "mappings". See the kibana
+ *  and timelion plugins for examples.
+ *  @type {EsMappingDsl}
  */
 const BASE_SAVED_OBJECT_MAPPINGS = {
   doc: {
     dynamic: 'strict',
     properties: {
       type: {
-        type: 'keyword',
+        type: 'keyword'
       },
       updated_at: {
-        type: 'date',
+        type: 'date'
       },
       config: {
         dynamic: true,
         properties: {
           buildNum: {
-            type: 'keyword',
-          },
-        },
+            type: 'keyword'
+          }
+        }
       },
-    },
-  },
+    }
+  }
 };
 
 export function kibanaIndexMappingsMixin(kbnServer, server) {
@@ -53,14 +54,17 @@ export function kibanaIndexMappingsMixin(kbnServer, server) {
   );
 
   /**
-   *  Get the mappings that we expect to see in the
-   *  Kibana index. Used by the Elasticsearch plugin to create
-   *  and update the Kibana index. Also used by the SavedObjectsClient
-   *  to determine the properties defined in the mapping and
-   *  the "rootType".
+   *  Get the mappings dsl that we expect to see in the
+   *  Kibana index. Used by the elasticsearch plugin to create
+   *  and update the kibana index. Also used by the SavedObjectsClient
+   *  to determine the properties defined in the mapping as well as
+   *  things like the "rootType".
    *
-   *  See `src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/index.js` for
-   *  helpers useful for reading the EsMappings object.
+   *  See `src/server/mappings/lib/index.js` for helpers useful for reading
+   *  the EsMappingDsl object.
+   *
+   *  @method server.getKibanaIndexMappingsDsl
+   *  @returns {EsMappingDsl}
    */
   server.decorate('server', 'getKibanaIndexMappingsDsl', () => {
     return mappings.getDsl();
diff --git a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_property.ts b/src/server/mappings/lib/get_property.js
similarity index 68%
rename from src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_property.ts
rename to src/server/mappings/lib/get_property.js
index f11a194736356..d71c97b9185b7 100644
--- a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_property.ts
+++ b/src/server/mappings/lib/get_property.js
@@ -17,35 +17,43 @@
  * under the License.
  */
 
-// @ts-ignore internal modules are not typed
 import toPath from 'lodash/internal/toPath';
+
 import { getRootType } from './get_root_type';
-import { EsMapping, EsMappings } from './types';
 
 /**
  *  Recursively read properties from the mapping object of type "object"
  *  until the `path` is resolved.
+ *  @param  {EsObjectMapping} mapping
+ *  @param  {Array<string>} path
+ *  @return {Objects|undefined}
  */
-function getPropertyMappingFromObjectMapping(
-  mapping: EsMapping,
-  path: string[]
-): EsMapping | undefined {
+function getPropertyMappingFromObjectMapping(mapping, path) {
   const props = mapping && (mapping.properties || mapping.fields);
 
   if (!props) {
-    return;
+    return undefined;
   }
 
   if (path.length > 1) {
-    return getPropertyMappingFromObjectMapping(props[path[0]], path.slice(1));
+    return getPropertyMappingFromObjectMapping(
+      props[path[0]],
+      path.slice(1)
+    );
   } else {
     return props[path[0]];
   }
 }
 
 /**
- *  Get the mapping for a specific property within the root type of the EsMappings.
+ *  Get the mapping for a specific property within the root type of the EsMappingsDsl.
+ *  @param  {EsMappingsDsl} mappings
+ *  @param  {string|Array<string>} path
+ *  @return {Object|undefined}
  */
-export function getProperty(mappings: EsMappings, path: string | string[]) {
-  return getPropertyMappingFromObjectMapping(mappings[getRootType(mappings)], toPath(path));
+export function getProperty(mappings, path) {
+  return getPropertyMappingFromObjectMapping(
+    mappings[getRootType(mappings)],
+    toPath(path)
+  );
 }
diff --git a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_property.test.ts b/src/server/mappings/lib/get_property.test.js
similarity index 86%
rename from src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_property.test.ts
rename to src/server/mappings/lib/get_property.test.js
index bb200820c6432..cf460e58fd752 100644
--- a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_property.test.ts
+++ b/src/server/mappings/lib/get_property.test.js
@@ -25,12 +25,12 @@ const MAPPINGS = {
       foo: {
         properties: {
           name: {
-            type: 'text',
+            type: 'text'
           },
           description: {
-            type: 'text',
-          },
-        },
+            type: 'text'
+          }
+        }
       },
       bar: {
         properties: {
@@ -38,18 +38,21 @@ const MAPPINGS = {
             type: 'text',
             fields: {
               box: {
-                type: 'keyword',
-              },
-            },
-          },
-        },
-      },
-    },
-  },
+                type: 'keyword'
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
 };
 
-function runTest(path: string | string[], mapping: { [key: string]: any }) {
-  expect(getProperty(MAPPINGS, path)).toBe(mapping);
+function runTest(key, mapping) {
+  expect(typeof key === 'string' || Array.isArray(key)).toBeTruthy();
+  expect(typeof mapping).toBe('object');
+
+  expect(getProperty(MAPPINGS, key)).toBe(mapping);
 }
 
 describe('getProperty(mappings, path)', () => {
diff --git a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_root_properties.ts b/src/server/mappings/lib/get_root_properties.js
similarity index 84%
rename from src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_root_properties.ts
rename to src/server/mappings/lib/get_root_properties.js
index 62b499625b3ed..7e99f94d38f86 100644
--- a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_root_properties.ts
+++ b/src/server/mappings/lib/get_root_properties.js
@@ -18,28 +18,30 @@
  */
 
 import { getRootType } from './get_root_type';
-import { EsMappings } from './types';
 
 /**
- *  Get the property mappings for the root type in the EsMappings
+ *  Get the property mappings for the root type in the EsMappingsDsl
  *
  *  If the mappings don't have a root type, or the root type is not
  *  an object type (it's a keyword or something) this function will
  *  throw an error.
  *
- *  EsMappings objects have the root property names as their
+ *  EsPropertyMappings objects have the root property names as their
  *  first level keys which map to the mappings object for each property.
  *  If the property is of type object it too could have a `properties`
  *  key whose value follows the same format.
  *
  *  This data can be found at `{indexName}.mappings.{typeName}.properties`
  *  in the es indices.get() response.
+ *
+ *  @param  {EsMappingsDsl} mappings
+ *  @return {EsPropertyMappings}
  */
-export function getRootProperties(mappings: EsMappings) {
+export function getRootProperties(mappings) {
   const mapping = mappings[getRootType(mappings)];
 
   if (mapping.type !== 'object' && !mapping.properties) {
-    throw new TypeError('Root mapping is not an object type. Unable to get properties.');
+    throw new TypeError('Unable to get property names non-object root mapping');
   }
 
   return mapping.properties || {};
diff --git a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_root_properties_objects.ts b/src/server/mappings/lib/get_root_properties_objects.js
similarity index 75%
rename from src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_root_properties_objects.ts
rename to src/server/mappings/lib/get_root_properties_objects.js
index 3224efbd7662b..4962cc0bed19d 100644
--- a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_root_properties_objects.ts
+++ b/src/server/mappings/lib/get_root_properties_objects.js
@@ -18,10 +18,9 @@
  */
 
 import { getRootProperties } from './get_root_properties';
-import { EsMappings } from './types';
 
 /**
- *  Get the property mappings for the root type in the EsMappings
+ *  Get the property mappings for the root type in the EsMappingsDsl
  *  where the properties are objects
  *
  *  If the mappings don't have a root type, or the root type is not
@@ -30,18 +29,19 @@ import { EsMappings } from './types';
  *
  *  This data can be found at `{indexName}.mappings.{typeName}.properties`
  *  in the es indices.get() response where the properties are objects.
+ *
+ *  @param  {EsMappingsDsl} mappings
+ *  @return {EsPropertyMappings}
  */
-export function getRootPropertiesObjects(mappings: EsMappings) {
+export function getRootPropertiesObjects(mappings) {
   const rootProperties = getRootProperties(mappings);
-  return Object.entries(rootProperties).reduce(
-    (acc: EsMappings, [key, value]) => {
-      // if value has properties or a type of object, we assume it is an object datatype
-      if (value.properties || value.type === 'object') {
-        acc[key] = value;
-      }
+  return Object.entries(rootProperties).reduce((acc, [key, value]) => {
+
+    // we consider the existence of the properties or type of object to designate that this is an object datatype
+    if (value.properties || value.type === 'object') {
+      acc[key] = value;
+    }
 
-      return acc;
-    },
-    {} as any
-  ) as EsMappings;
+    return acc;
+  }, {});
 }
diff --git a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_root_properties_objects.test.ts b/src/server/mappings/lib/get_root_properties_objects.test.js
similarity index 79%
rename from src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_root_properties_objects.test.ts
rename to src/server/mappings/lib/get_root_properties_objects.test.js
index 5772866cb1fd0..6b193bdaca262 100644
--- a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_root_properties_objects.test.ts
+++ b/src/server/mappings/lib/get_root_properties_objects.test.js
@@ -24,17 +24,17 @@ test(`returns single object with properties`, () => {
     rootType: {
       properties: {
         foo: {
-          properties: {},
-        },
-      },
-    },
+          properties: {}
+        }
+      }
+    }
   };
 
   const result = getRootPropertiesObjects(mappings);
   expect(result).toEqual({
     foo: {
-      properties: {},
-    },
+      properties: {}
+    }
   });
 });
 
@@ -43,17 +43,17 @@ test(`returns single object with type === 'object'`, () => {
     rootType: {
       properties: {
         foo: {
-          type: 'object',
-        },
-      },
-    },
+          type: 'object'
+        }
+      }
+    }
   };
 
   const result = getRootPropertiesObjects(mappings);
   expect(result).toEqual({
     foo: {
-      type: 'object',
-    },
+      type: 'object'
+    }
   });
 });
 
@@ -62,23 +62,23 @@ test(`returns two objects with properties`, () => {
     rootType: {
       properties: {
         foo: {
-          properties: {},
+          properties: {}
         },
         bar: {
-          properties: {},
-        },
-      },
-    },
+          properties: {}
+        }
+      }
+    }
   };
 
   const result = getRootPropertiesObjects(mappings);
   expect(result).toEqual({
     foo: {
-      properties: {},
+      properties: {}
     },
     bar: {
-      properties: {},
-    },
+      properties: {}
+    }
   });
 });
 
@@ -87,23 +87,23 @@ test(`returns two objects with type === 'object'`, () => {
     rootType: {
       properties: {
         foo: {
-          type: 'object',
+          type: 'object'
         },
         bar: {
-          type: 'object',
-        },
-      },
-    },
+          type: 'object'
+        }
+      }
+    }
   };
 
   const result = getRootPropertiesObjects(mappings);
   expect(result).toEqual({
     foo: {
-      type: 'object',
+      type: 'object'
     },
     bar: {
-      type: 'object',
-    },
+      type: 'object'
+    }
   });
 });
 
@@ -112,10 +112,10 @@ test(`excludes objects without properties and type of keyword`, () => {
     rootType: {
       properties: {
         foo: {
-          type: 'keyword',
-        },
-      },
-    },
+          type: 'keyword'
+        }
+      }
+    }
   };
 
   const result = getRootPropertiesObjects(mappings);
@@ -127,13 +127,13 @@ test(`excludes two objects without properties and type of keyword`, () => {
     rootType: {
       properties: {
         foo: {
-          type: 'keyword',
+          type: 'keyword'
         },
         bar: {
-          type: 'keyword',
-        },
-      },
-    },
+          type: 'keyword'
+        }
+      }
+    }
   };
 
   const result = getRootPropertiesObjects(mappings);
@@ -145,20 +145,20 @@ test(`includes one object with properties and excludes one object without proper
     rootType: {
       properties: {
         foo: {
-          properties: {},
+          properties: {}
         },
         bar: {
-          type: 'keyword',
-        },
-      },
-    },
+          type: 'keyword'
+        }
+      }
+    }
   };
 
   const result = getRootPropertiesObjects(mappings);
   expect(result).toEqual({
     foo: {
-      properties: {},
-    },
+      properties: {}
+    }
   });
 });
 
@@ -167,19 +167,19 @@ test(`includes one object with type === 'object' and excludes one object without
     rootType: {
       properties: {
         foo: {
-          type: 'object',
+          type: 'object'
         },
         bar: {
-          type: 'keyword',
-        },
-      },
-    },
+          type: 'keyword'
+        }
+      }
+    }
   };
 
   const result = getRootPropertiesObjects(mappings);
   expect(result).toEqual({
     foo: {
-      type: 'object',
-    },
+      type: 'object'
+    }
   });
 });
diff --git a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_root_type.ts b/src/server/mappings/lib/get_root_type.js
similarity index 80%
rename from src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_root_type.ts
rename to src/server/mappings/lib/get_root_type.js
index bca1be7d57833..4c861e2a1d915 100644
--- a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_root_type.ts
+++ b/src/server/mappings/lib/get_root_type.js
@@ -18,20 +18,20 @@
  */
 
 import { getTypes } from './get_types';
-import { EsMappings } from './types';
 
 /**
- *  Get the singular root type in the EsMappings
+ *  Get the singular root type in the EsMappingsDsl
  *  object. If there are no types, or there are more
  *  that one type, this function will throw an error.
+ *
+ *  @param  {EsMappingsDsl} mappings
+ *  @return {string}
  */
-export function getRootType(mappings: EsMappings) {
+export function getRootType(mappings) {
   const allTypes = getTypes(mappings);
 
   if (allTypes.length !== 1) {
-    throw new TypeError(
-      `Unable to get root type of mappings object with ${allTypes.length} root types.`
-    );
+    throw new TypeError(`Unable to get root type of mappings object with ${allTypes.length} root types.`);
   }
 
   return allTypes[0];
diff --git a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_types.ts b/src/server/mappings/lib/get_types.js
similarity index 84%
rename from src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_types.ts
rename to src/server/mappings/lib/get_types.js
index ba17c3bf8751b..26a8a70fb4f0b 100644
--- a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/get_types.ts
+++ b/src/server/mappings/lib/get_types.js
@@ -17,11 +17,12 @@
  * under the License.
  */
 
-import { EsMappings } from './types';
-
 /**
- *  Get the names of the types defined in the EsMappings
+ *  Get the names of the types defined in the EsMappingsDsl
+ *
+ *  @param  {EsMappingsDsl} mappings
+ *  @return {Array<string>}
  */
-export function getTypes(mappings: EsMappings) {
+export function getTypes(mappings) {
   return Object.keys(mappings).filter(type => type !== '_default_');
 }
diff --git a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/index.ts b/src/server/mappings/lib/index.js
similarity index 95%
rename from src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/index.ts
rename to src/server/mappings/lib/index.js
index 57f924ee0e291..9cbe8d56e2372 100644
--- a/src/core/server/saved_objects/mappings/lib/index.ts
+++ b/src/server/mappings/lib/index.js
@@ -22,4 +22,3 @@ export { getTypes } from './get_types';
 export { getRootType } from './get_root_type';
 export { getRootProperties } from './get_root_properties';
 export { getRootPropertiesObjects } from './get_root_properties_objects';
-export { EsMapping, EsMappings } from './types';
diff --git a/src/server/saved_objects/mappings/index.js b/src/server/saved_objects/mappings/index.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 193d590d87b1b..0000000000000
--- a/src/server/saved_objects/mappings/index.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,20 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one or more contributor
- * license agreements. See the NOTICE file distributed with
- * this work for additional information regarding copyright
- * ownership. Elasticsearch B.V. licenses this file to you under
- * the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
- * not use this file except in compliance with the License.
- * You may obtain a copy of the License at
- *
- *    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- *
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
- * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
- * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
- * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
- * specific language governing permissions and limitations
- * under the License.
- */
-
-export { kibanaIndexMappingsMixin } from './kibana_index_mappings_mixin';
diff --git a/src/server/saved_objects/service/create_saved_objects_service.js b/src/server/saved_objects/service/create_saved_objects_service.js
index 0150046992209..edb6b0093b0ba 100644
--- a/src/server/saved_objects/service/create_saved_objects_service.js
+++ b/src/server/saved_objects/service/create_saved_objects_service.js
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
  * under the License.
  */
 
-import { getRootPropertiesObjects } from '../../../core/server/saved_objects/mappings';
+import { getRootPropertiesObjects } from '../..//mappings';
 import { SavedObjectsRepository, ScopedSavedObjectsClientProvider, SavedObjectsRepositoryProvider } from './lib';
 import { SavedObjectsClient } from './saved_objects_client';
 
diff --git a/src/server/saved_objects/service/lib/repository.js b/src/server/saved_objects/service/lib/repository.js
index eb632a16003c8..4ff8eaa8d6b6e 100644
--- a/src/server/saved_objects/service/lib/repository.js
+++ b/src/server/saved_objects/service/lib/repository.js
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 
 import uuid from 'uuid';
 
-import { getRootType } from '../../../../core/server/saved_objects/mappings';
+import { getRootType } from '../../../mappings';
 import { getSearchDsl } from './search_dsl';
 import { trimIdPrefix } from './trim_id_prefix';
 import { includedFields } from './included_fields';
diff --git a/src/server/saved_objects/service/lib/search_dsl/query_params.js b/src/server/saved_objects/service/lib/search_dsl/query_params.js
index 3f0758ffb07c8..bcf62f21ef415 100644
--- a/src/server/saved_objects/service/lib/search_dsl/query_params.js
+++ b/src/server/saved_objects/service/lib/search_dsl/query_params.js
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
  * under the License.
  */
 
-import { getRootPropertiesObjects } from '../../../../../core/server/saved_objects/mappings';
+import { getRootPropertiesObjects } from '../../../../mappings';
 
 /**
  * Gets the types based on the type. Uses mappings to support
diff --git a/src/server/saved_objects/service/lib/search_dsl/sorting_params.js b/src/server/saved_objects/service/lib/search_dsl/sorting_params.js
index 0a43748622e0d..b977924ff62c5 100644
--- a/src/server/saved_objects/service/lib/search_dsl/sorting_params.js
+++ b/src/server/saved_objects/service/lib/search_dsl/sorting_params.js
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 
 import Boom from 'boom';
 
-import { getProperty } from '../../../../../core/server/saved_objects/mappings';
+import { getProperty } from '../../../../mappings';
 
 export function getSortingParams(mappings, type, sortField, sortOrder) {
   if (!sortField) {