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Elites, networks and the Finnish connection in Birka

På svenska

Author

Editor

  • Lena Holmquist
  • Sven Kalmring
  • Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson

Summary, in English

In research on Birka strong focus has since long been directed towards long-distance contacts with Western as well with and Northeastern Europe (todays Russia, Belarus and Ukraine). The great attention paid to west- and east European contacts has likely contributed to that contacts with Finland have fallen out of the discussions. However as seen from studies of the pottery in Birka the Baltic Finnish ware constitute the second largest group when it comes to imports to the town. In the graves on Björkö there are finds of this type of ware as well as of dress details deriving from or showing heavy influence from the Finnish mainland. Some of these finds derive from the most lavishly furnished chamber graves in Birka, indicating that the elite in the town were part of a network that was directly or indirectly connected to groups on the Finnish mainland. Besides Baltic Finnish pottery or dress details from Finland these graves also contained objects such as weights, scales and Islamic coins – items indicating an affiliation to groups involved in the sale and exchange of goods. Finds of standardized weights in south western Finland is a clear indication that this region was part of a supra regional network in the Viking Age just like Birka. Objects from Finland found in Birka on one hand and objects from Scandinavian and central Sweden found in Finland on the other confirm that there has been a close connection between the Mälaren region and south western Finland. Probably products such as furs distributed by the elite in Vakka Suomi attracted groups in eastern Sweden and Birka. However the elite in Birka might also have had other reasons for maintaining contacts with groups in south western Finland. People in south western Finland were linked to routes and networks spanning much further east and by extension also to the riches of the Caliphate.

Publishing year

2016

Language

English

Pages

49-61

Publication/Series

Theses and papers in archaeology. B

Volume

12

Document type

Book chapter

Publisher

Archaeological Research Laboratory, Stockhom University

Topic

  • Archaeology
  • History

Keywords

  • Trade
  • Finland
  • the Mälaren Valley
  • Birka
  • Archaeology
  • long-distance contacts
  • The Viking Age
  • Networks
  • Furs

Conference name

Ancient Centres, Special Economic Zones and - Restart!

Conference date

2013-04-17 - 2013-04-20

Conference place

Stockholm, Sweden

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1102-1195
  • ISBN: 978-91-89338-20-3