Globalization - Muzeum Archeologiczno
Transcription
Globalization - Muzeum Archeologiczno
Viking Globalization TRUSO FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF BALTIC COMMERCIAL CENTRES THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TRUSO E L B L Ą G M A Y 1 8 T H CONFERENCE - 19TH 2015 PROGRAM C TABLE OF CONTENT Timetable ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 Session Topics First session ............................................................................................................................................... 5 Second session .......................................................................................................................................... 7 Third session .............................................................................................................................................. 9 Poster session .......................................................................................................................................... 11 Guest list.............................................................................................................................................. 13 Abstracts Felix Biermann, The Contacts between Viking Sea Traders and Slavic tribal Rulers south-west of the Baltic Sea ................................................................................................................................................. 15 Marie Brinch, A new Viking age trading place at Gl. Holeby, Lolland – a preliminary view ...........................16 Leszek Gardeła, Scandinavian Amulets from Truso ........................................................................................17 Christoph Jahn, Next stop Linkuhnen? The site of Linkuhnen at the Memel region and its role for the Viking age transit from the Baltic to East Europe ......................................................................................................18 Jakub Jagodziński, Early medieval ports of trade- globalization accomplished by the Vikings? ....................19 Dr Marek F. Jagodziński, Janów Pomorski/Truso - 34 years of research and study on the early medieval settlement ......................................................................................................................................................20 Charlotta Lindblom, The Kings palisade in Viking-Age Jelling ........................................................................21 Marika Mägi, Viking Age trade routes through the Eastern Baltic and their change in time ........................22 Daniel Makowiecki, Martyna Wiejacka, Jan Wiejacki, What is known, what is still to do? The archaeozoology of Truso .........................................................................................................................23 Anne Pedersen, Power and Politics at the time of King Harald Bluetooth, Denmark.....................................24 Fred Ruchhöft, Arkona - the holy place in the centre of the western Baltic Sea. New excavations an new results ..............................................................................................................................................................25 Roman Shiroukhov, Western Balts in the 10/11th-first half of the 13th centuries: after the Vikings and just before the Crusades. Results of the 2013-2015 post-doctoral project in Vilnius University. ..........................26 Heiko Steuer, Truso in the geographic middle between England and the River Volga – the globalisation of the weight-based silver economy................................................................................................................27 Wojciech Wróblewski, Salt was in the beginning…? The role of Truso in the formation of early Polish statehood ........................................................................................................................................................28 Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 2 Taś TIMETABLE May 17th Arrival and accommodation - the reception “Under Lion” Hotel in the Old Town Elbląg May 18th 9.00 - 9.45 - Registration - Museum of Archaeology and History 10.00 - 12.00 - Museum of Archaeology and History . The opening of the exhibition “Truso - legend of the Baltic Sea”, visiting other exhibition, projection of holographic film 12.00 - 13.30 - free time – lunch | optional walk through the Old Town 14.00 - 18.00 – THE FIRST SESSION - the Old Town Hall 18.30 - 22.30 - integration meeting - courtyard and dining rooms next to the Museum and the reconstructed building from Truso at the courtyard of the Museum. May 19th 9.00 - 13.00 - THE SECOND SESSION - the Old Town Hall 13.00 - 14.30 - free time - lunch 14.30 - 16.30 - excursion to Truso 17.00 - 20.00 - THE THIRD SESSION - the Old Town Hall 20.15 - 21.30 - summary discussion session - the Old Town Hall May 18 th- 19th POSTER SESSION - the Old Town Hall Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 3 1 3 2 1 Hotel Pod Lwem | “Under the Lion” Hotel 2 Muzeum Archeologiczno-Historyczne | Museum of Archaeology and History 3 Ratusz Staromiejski | Old Town Hall Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 4 THE FIRST SESSION 1. Dr Marek F. Jagodziński Museum of Archaeology and History in Elbląg [email protected] „Janów Pomorski/Truso - 34 years of research and study on the early medieval settlement” 2. Prof. Dr Heiko Steuer Institute of Prehistory, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg [email protected] „Truso in the geographic middle between England and the River Wolga globalization of weight based silver economy” 3. Prof. Dr Sebastian Brather Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg [email protected] „Janów and early medieval urbanization around the Baltic Sea” 4. Dr Mateusz Bogucki Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences [email protected] “Prussian, Scandinavian or Slavic? Comments on the Ethnicity of Truso inhabitants” 5. Dr Leszek Gardeła University of Rzeszów, Institute of Archaeology [email protected] „Scandinavian amulets from Truso” Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 5 6. Dr Hab. Waldemar Ossowski National Maritime Museum [email protected] „Boats and ships in the region of the Vistula River Mount in the early Middle Ages.” 7 Dr hab. inż. Daniel Makowiecki, mgr Martyna Wiejacka, mgr Jan Wiejacki Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] „Zooarchaeology of Truso. - What is known what is still to do?” 8 Doc. Dr Wojciech Wróblewski Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw [email protected] „Salt was in the beginning. The role of Truso in the formation of early Polish statehood” 9 Jakub Jagodziński Student of archaeology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń [email protected] „Early medieval port of trade - globalization accomplished by the Vikings?” Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 6 THE SECOND SESSION 1. Prof. Gunnar Heinson University of Bremen [email protected] „How did so many Roman artifacts make it into the Viking Early Middle Ages?” 2. Dr hab. Prof. AH Władysław Duczko Academy of Humanities Aleksander Gieysztor name in Pułtusk [email protected] „Eastern Beginnings of the Viking Age seen through the early Swedish expansion on the Balt and Finn territories” 3. Dr Morten Søvsø Museum of South West Jutland [email protected] „Ribe in the Viking Period“ 4. Prof. Dr Hauke Jöns Heinrich-Schliemann Institute of the University of Rostock [email protected] „Recent Research on early medieval trading centres in the western Baltic Region. The case studies of Groß Strömkendorf, Rostock-Dierkow, Ralswiek and Usedom” 5. Dr Fred Ruchhöft Ernst Moritz Arndt Universität Greifswald [email protected] „Arkona - the holy place in the centre of the western Baltic Sea. New excavations an new results” Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 7 6. Charlotta Lindblom Vejle Museum „The Kings palisade in Viking-Age Jelling” 7. Dr Anne Pedersen National Museum Copenhagen [email protected] „Power and Politics at the time of King Harald Bluetooth, Denmark” Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 8 THE THIRD SESSION 1. PD Dr Felix Biermann Georg-August-Universität Göttingen [email protected] „The Contacts between Viking Sea Traders and Slavic tribal Rulers south-west of the Baltic Sea” 2. Dr Christoph Jahn , Norbert Großler Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte Staatliche Museen zu Berlin [email protected] „Next stop Linkuhnen? The site of Linkuhnen at the Memel region and its role for the Viking age transit from the Baltic to East Europe” 3. Dr Konstantin Skvortsov Institute of Archaeology Russian Academy of Science [email protected] „Contacts between Scandinavian and the Sambian and Natangian inhabitants during Vendel and Viking period (according to archaeological sources)” 4. Dr Marika Mägi Tallin University Institute of History [email protected] „Viking Age communication over the Baltic Sea. Trade routes through the Eastern Baltic and their change in time” 5. Dr Vladimir Kulakov Institute of Archaeology Russian Academy of Sciences [email protected] „West Baltic phenomenon in an era of Vikings” Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 9 6. Anna-Elisabeth Jensen & Marie Brinch Museum Lolland-Falster [email protected] [email protected] „Viking artefacts found on Lolland-Falster with connection across the Baltic sea” 7. Dr Roman Shiroukhov Vilnius University [email protected] „Western Balts in the 10/11th-first half of the 13th centuries: after the Vikings and just before the Crusades. Results of the 2013-2015 post-doctoral project in Vilnius University.” 8. Charlotta Lindblom & Dr Mads Ravn Vejle Museum [email protected] „A presentation of a proposed Baltic travel exhibition project “Vikings in the Baltic” Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 10 POSTER SESSION 1. Dr Anna B. Kowalska & Dr Sebastian Messal National Museum in Szczecin [email protected] Arbeitsbereich Kulturgüterschutz und Site Management Deutsches Archäologisches Institut Berlin „The latest, non-invasive research above the Parsęta river in the area of stronghold Bardy / Świelubie” 2. Rafał Panfil Provincial Office of Monument Preservation, Regional Office in Elbląg [email protected] „<<Þæt is mid Estum þeaw þæt þær sceal ælces geðeodes man beon forbærned>> – what exactly Wulfstan said about the custom of cremation of the dead by Old Prussians in his report on his journey to Truso?” 3. Jarosław Strobin Museum of Archaeology in Gdańsk [email protected] „Metalwork and jewelery in Truso“ 4. Eryk Popkiewicz & Joanna Jarzęcka-Stąporek Archaeologist, amber craftsman [email protected] Archaeologist, Badania Naukowe M. Stąporek [email protected] „Amber craft in Truso“ Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 11 5. Kacper Martyka Warmia and Mazury Museum in Olsztyn [email protected] „Third force on Pomesania’s border? Unknown sites in Jerzwałd and Bronowo in north - eastern Poland” 6. Ewelina Miśtal, Krystian Trela “Air prospection of Baltic Sea islands” 7. Bartosz Świątkowski, Karolina Czosnke The island at the crossroads of two worlds -Bornholm in the Early Middle Ages. Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 12 Participants / Guests Dr Heino Neumayer Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte - Redaktion Archäologisches Zentrum Geschwister [email protected] Lars Krants Moesgaatd Museum [email protected] Prof. Dr Franz Schopper Brandenburgisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologisches Landesmuseum [email protected] Dr Błażej Stanisławski Centre for research on Late Antiquity Culture and Early Medieval IAE PAN in Wroclaw [email protected] Mathias Bäck [email protected] Doc. Dr Jonas Genys History Museum of Lithuania [email protected] Anders Söderberg Sigtuna Museum [email protected] Prof. dr hab. Leszek Paweł Słupecki University of Rzeszów, Institute of Archaeology [email protected] Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 13 ABSTRACTS Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 14 Felix Biermann The Contacts between Viking Sea Traders and Slavic tribal Rulers south -west of the Baltic Sea In the 8th Century arose several Slavic-Scandinavian Trading Places (Emporia) at the Southern Coast of the Baltic, between Reric (Groß Strömkendorf near Wismar) in the West and Truso (Janów Pomorski) in the East. The Trade and the Cultural Contacts led to an Economic Upswing of the Slavic Settlement Territories in the Coastal Hinterland which caused also an Increase of Social and Political Conditions: Large Tribal Organizations under the Rule of powerful Chieftains emerged; we hear about these Rulers in Written Sources since the late 8th Century. Archaeological Witnesses of these Rules are the large strongholds of so-called Feldberg type, built probably since the Middle of the 8th Century. These mighty Hill Forts had their Heyday in the 9th Century, like the most Sea Trading Places. The Strongholds are never situated directly in the Emporia, which are usually unfortified until the 10th Century. As a Rule, there is a Distance of some Kilometers between a Sea Trading Place and the neighboring Stronghold. This spatial Relationship gave Reason to different Hypotheses – for instance Emporia could have been “Ports of Trade” privileged and accepted by the local Rulers or the Traders could have been autonomous and compete with the Rulers in the Strongholds, also for the control of their surroundings. An increasing number of archaeological Finds from the Strongholds – for instance Arabic Silver Coins or elitist Far Trade Goods – illuminate the Contacts between the Inhabitants of Strongholds and Trading Places, the same applies for some Graves with special Layout and Equipment. On the Base of old and new Archaeological Evidence the Paper deals with the Character of the Contacts between the Sea Traders and the Tribal Rulers in the 8th-10th Century. Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 15 Marie Brinch A NEW VIKING AGE TRA DING PLACE AT GL. HOLEBY, LOLLAND – A PRELIMINARY VIEW In the last few years amateur-archaeologists with metaldetectors have been very active on the Danish island of Lolland. Many new and interesting locations have been brought to our attention through their finds. Among them is a new site, Gl. Holeby, on central Lolland, which is thought to be a trading place, which was mainly active during the Viking age. We will present some of the finds from the new site and offer some preliminary reflections on the implications of such a location on central Lolland. Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 16 Leszek Gardeła SCANDINAVIAN AMULETS FROM TRUSO This paper will discuss the complete corpus of Scandinavian-style amulets discovered in Truso. So far the largest group among them comprises Thor’s hammers of various types and manufactured from different materials (e.g. amber, iron). A separate group of amulets includes miniatures of weapons such as spears or shields, but some intriguing amber axes have also been discovered here. Particularly interesting are also the small anthropomorphic figures, perhaps representing humans or supernatural beings (e.g. valkyrjur, disir or other), which may have been worn as pendants, brooches or clothing appliques. While a significant number of amulets from Truso have direct parallels in various areas of the Viking world, there are also several objects which are absolutely unique, yet they clearly originate from the Scandinavian cultural milieu. All of these finds will be presented in detail and interpreted in the context of Old Norse textual sources and comparative archaeological evidence. Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 17 Christoph Jahn NEXT STOP LINKUHNEN? THE SITE OF LINKUHNEN AT THE MEMEL REGION AND ITS ROLE FOR THE VIK ING AGE TRANSIT FROM THE BALTIC TO EAST EUROP E The presentation summarizes new investigations on the famous site of Linkuhnen and its material culture, which was excavated between 1928 and 1939, but never really published. The surviving finds of the cemetery together with information collected from diverse archival sources show a picture of a burial ground, which was probably used from the 2nd to 11th century. When we try to analyze the material culture of the cemetery it is like looking through a magnifying glass at the networks of cultural communication and trade in the West Baltic during the Viking Age: there are local costume elements form the Memel region, but also from other West Baltic regions, further on decorations and ornamental motives of a Scandinavian tradition, finally weaponry of an “international” Viking Age standard, among them several sword blades with inscriptions of the VLFBERHT-type. Before 1945 the site of Linkuhnen was interpreted as evidence of the Viking impact on the Lower Memel, the existence of a Viking “colony” somewhere in the region of Linkuhnen was assumed. The new investigations at Linkuhnen show that in spite of the foreign influences on material culture the burial rites at the cemetery represent a local West Baltic population strongly affected by Viking globalization since the 8th century. The site of Linkuhnen seemed to have been resided on a junction between North, West and East. These connections of material culture, preserved in very rich graves of competing families, resulted from the extraordinarily favorable topography of the site: situated on a low hill over Memel River where the Memel delta turned into a single stream, the people of Linkuhnen were able to control all the shipping traffic with its transit of goods. For Scandinavians coming directly across the Baltic Sea and on a way to the East it was a first stop after a longer sea voyage where travellers could rest and get new supplies. The assumption of an “emporium” just like in Truso isn’t therefore necessary to explain the archaeological record of Linkuhnen which makes the site an alternative model for the illustration of Scandinavian influences in the West Baltic. We can suppose that Linkuhnen and its leading families were part of the local tribe-society of Scalvians which settled in the Memel region. Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 18 Jakub Jagodziński EARLY MEDIEVAL PORTS OF TRADEGLOBALIZATION ACCOMP LISHED BY THE VIKINGS? On the basis of numerous studies about early medieval European archaeological sites, the Viking aggrandizement from Jutland and Scandinavia to continental Europe’s interior became clear. Range of Viking influences is exampled in the Baltic area ports of trade. It were the settlements of handcraft-trade-port character, which were located near the Baltic Sea shores. The aim of this paper is to present the phenomenon, which author calls “globalization”, in the realities of early Medieval based on selected archaeological sites, including Hedeby, Birka, Wolin or Groβ Strömkendorf, with Janów Pomorski (Truso) especially taken into account. All of these places show clearly the percolation of cultural influences, far-reaching trade and interactions, furthermore they still managed to conserve similar spatial structure and coherent functions model. Basing on archeological references (ex. silver coins, weights, folding balances, ceramic, amber goods), sometimes supplemented by historical references, it is possible to create a reliable image of ports of trade network. In certain context, I believe it can be called “Viking globalization” phenomenon. Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 19 Dr Marek F. Jagodziński JANÓW POMORSKI/TRUSO - 34 YEARS OF RESEARCH AND STUDY ON THE EAR LY MEDIEVAL SETTLEMENT In my paper I briefly summarize 34 years of research Truso settlement, mainly in statistical terms. I will present the scope and results of surface, including using metal detectors; scope and results of geological surveys; scope and results of non-invasive (geomagnetic, aerial photographs); scope and results of excavations. Also present state of development of research results. Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 20 Charlotta Lindblom THE KINGS PALISADE I N VIKING-AGE JELLING Recent excavations, as a part of a joint research-project in Jelling have revealed the remains of a massive wooden palisade demarcating an area of c. 12.5 hectares, encircling a series of buildings and monuments. The impressive structure follows a strict architectural regularity and demonstrates a rigid concept behind the laying out of the monumental parts. Furthermore, preserved wood was found during the excavation of a small wetland area, hereby permitting a more precise dating of the structure by dendrochronology. The resulting dates firmly link the palisade and the individual components to the royal family named on the rune stones in Jelling and in particular to the reign of King Harald Bluetooth. The paper will also focus on what local/regional landscape Jelling was a part of and interacted in and last but not least – looking into possible interpretations of the palisade. I would appreciate any additional information you can give me on the conference as I have heard very little. Is there a website or a Call for papers that I might find? Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 21 Marika Mägi VIKING AGE TRADE ROUTES THROUGH THE EAST ERN BALTIC AND THEIR CHA NGE IN TIME The most convenient trade routes from Viking Age Scandinavia towards the East run through the present-day Baltic States. It is, therefore, somewhat surprising that these areas often seem to have been left out in the discussions about Viking Age East-West communication. The best known and often cited big 12th-century international trade route through Novgorod, called “the Route from the Varangians to the Greeks”, run partly along the northern coast of Estonia. Still, the number of travellers who decided to travel to Byzantium via Novgorod increased only in the 11th century. Before that, it was mainly the Eastern way, Austrveg, that led from the Baltic Sea to the Arabic caliphates, and brought Kufic silver to the lands around the Baltic Sea. At least a part of Austrveg was used already before the “real” Viking Age, as is indicated by artefacts from both Scandinavia and Volga area, found in present-day Finland and Estonia. That the island of Saaremaa also was included, is demonstrated by some recent finds at Salme. Strong Scandinavian influences were recorded nearly everywhere in the coastal areas of Estonia and Finland, were we can talk of common culture in the military sphere. Another big route that existed long before the Viking Age was the Amber route that run through Grobina. Scandinavians established themselves there before the Viking Age as well. Still, theScandinavian colony seemed not to have influenced local culture around it or its closest neighbourhood, and the colony stopped existing as early as in the middle of the 9 th century. The disappearance of Swedish colony marked the diminishing importance of the Amber way. Other international routes through the Eastern Baltic were the Daugava River, the Memel River and the river system and winter routes through the central Estonia. In the 11 th century, the Daugava River became the most important of them. Contacts further east to the Volga River nearly disappeared after 1000 AD, and from now on the most important destination was Byzantium. Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 22 Daniel Makowiecki, Martyna Wiejacka, Jan Wiejacki WHAT IS KNOWN, WHAT IS STILL TO DO? THE ARCHAEOZOOLOGY O F TRUSO The animals played an important role during the European Middle Ages. Their exploitation is reflected in faunal assemblages recorded in archaeological sites. The archaeological research in Janów Pomorski provided such data. Among them the most numerous are remains from household waste, consisting of the bones of domestic mammals. The abundance of fish remains points that this group of animals played also an important part of the diet. Aside from food, animals were source of raw materials where wild mammals were willingly used. However analyses revealed some aspects of animal economy, the whole picture of animal exploitation in Truso still needs to be revised. The latter aspect makes a contribution to further, many-sided, interdisciplinary research. Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 23 Anne Pedersen POWER AND POLITICS A T THE TIME OF KING HARALD BLUETOOTH, DENMARK The discovery of a monumental palisade complex in Jelling, Jutland, has added yet another piece to our knowledge of Denmark at the time of King Harald Bluetooth. The individual features of the complex closely link it to other major buildings of the second half of the 10th century, the circular fortress (Aggersborg, Fyrkat, Nonnebakken, Trelleborg and the recently discovered Borgring), a 760m long bridge 10km south of Jelling, and building works at Danevirke at the southern border of Denmark. These monuments all demonstrate a command of material and human resources, and together with other contempory evidence they bears witness to a particularly resourceful ruler, who applied impressive and innovative means to communicate his status and ambitions, but also one who acknowledged the importance of referring to a traditional, royal style of ancestral worship. Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 24 Fred Ruchhöft ARKONA - THE HOLY PLACE IN TH E CENTRE OF THE WESTERN BALTIC SEA. NEW EXCAVATIONS AN N EW RESULTS In the lecture it will be presented information about the famous temple-stronghold of Arkona (Rügen, Germany), final destroyed by the Danes in 1168. Year by year we lose small areas by coastal erosion. In front of this we have excavations to serve the archaeological information in endangered parts since 1994. There are opened near 2500 sqm and moved more than 800 cubic meters soil. In the last years we got a lot of findings showing a 11th century living area around the already lost holy place. Inside the stronghold we have many traces of destruction by Viking tribes long before 1168. In the wall can be seen 3 up to 5 brand layers. In time we have more than 10.000 single finds and complexes from bone and ceramic up to weapons, coins and jewelry. For instance there are 6 fragments of swords, more than 300 arrowheads (most Scandinavian type), 200 silver peaces and some more beads, some balances and weights, a hook of a load balance, parts of a Scandinavian chest, fishing hooks, knifes and so on... Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 25 Roman Shiroukhov WESTERN BALTS IN THE 10/11TH-FIRST HALF OF THE 13TH CENTURIES: AFTER THE VIKINGS AND JUST BEFORE THE CRUSADES . RESULTS OF THE 201 3-2015 POST-DOCTORAL PROJECT IN VILNIUS UNIVERSITY. The study briefly represents the course and results of the post-doctoral research project, which is the first comparative study of the post-Viking age Western Balts material culture. The questions of trans-regional contacts in the area of South-Eastern Baltic, comparative analysis of the statistical data of the Western Balts ornaments, arms, horse harness, ceramics, different tools and imported goods with some general features of burial rite, cemeteries based on social structure, contact zones and trade routes are described in the study. Typology and chronology of Prussian, Curonian and Scalvian grave goods are also clarified during the research. The problem of cross-contact regions of the Western Balts, altogether with possible routes of cultural interaction and trade were also revised on a basis of newly investigated and archival data. Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 26 Heiko Steuer TRUSO IN THE GEOGRAP HIC MIDDLE BETWEEN ENGLAND AND THE RIVER VOLGA – THE GLOBALISATION OF THE WEIGHT-BASED SILVER ECONOMY. In the late 9th and the 10th century, there existed a vast economic community that extended over more than 3000 km and whose members had come together over a neutral currency on the basis of weighed silver. The western realms, such as France, England and the German Reich, had much earlier developed a coin economy, organised and monopolised by the governmental authorities, which in the new kingdoms along the Baltic Sea and south and east of it was not introduced until around 1000 – not least, for purposes of propaganda. The weight-based economy, in contrast, was in the hands of the traders, who travelled across regions. For every transaction, the parties used their own scales to compare weights and reach an agreement on a price. Therefore, in my opinion, all attempts to reconstruct local units of weight for different central places based on the finds are working under a faulty model. Evidence showing that weights were produced in many places does not contradict this view. The wide area containing identically constructed scales and, in particular, identical cubo-octahedral and spherical weights reflects the existence of a cohesive economic area, which, after its occupation by Scandinavians, included England as well. Based on the finds and their cartography, this paper shows that the dating as well as the uniformity of the objects depicts a currency community in which Truso in fact lies roughly at the geographic centre. Reference is also made to the hypothesis that the basic idea of scales and weights originated in Central Asia and Arabia and was imported with the Arabic-Kufic dirham, and that this large economic area was on the verge of an Islamisation. In addition, some observations will be made on the question of why there seems to have been a special situation in Truso of all places; for there is a dating discrepancy between the early (cut) Arabic dirham and the later weights, that is, in this central place the simultaneity of dirham and weights is lacking. Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 27 Wojciech Wróblewski SALT WAS IN THE BEGI NNING…? THE ROLE OF TRUSO IN THE FORMATION OF EAR LY POLISH STATEHOOD The main thesis of this presentation was published in the popular paper in September 2012. Many scholars believe that the name of Truso came from Old Balts (contemporary Lithuanian) word *Drusa: that means salt, saline, salt production. But the location of the archaeological site in Janów Pomorski does not approve such a qualification. From the geological point of view there were neither saline nor salt production places in the close neighborhood of the place. What does it mean? The only explanation is that Truso was the place of the trading of salt, the fair of salt. From which region salt was distributed to Truso? How big may have been the amount of salt to mark the name of the place? And how important is this conclusion for the formulating the hypothetical answer of one of the main reasons of the beginning of early Polish statehood? In his presentation author will try to answer for all these questions. Viking Globalization. Truso from the perspective of Baltic Commercial Centres 28