“I have never seen more perfect physical specimens, tall as palm trees. Their hair is blonde and ruddy. (…) Each man has an axe, a sword, and a knife and keeps each by him at all times. (…) From the tips of their toes to their necks, each man had tattoos of dark green ink. (...) Their women all wear circular brooches on their breast, made from iron, silver, copper, gold, depending on their husbands’ wealth and social standing. (...) Around their necks, they wear rings of gold and silver.”
It is mainly archaeological finds that now provide information about the activities of Scandinavians in the East. Grave finds document wide-ranging cultural contacts and an exchange not just between travellers but also with the settled population. Scandinavian arts and crafts as well as Scandinavian fashion were highly esteemed in the trade centres of the East. At the same time, the archaeological finds also show other cultural influences: pagan traditions are evident alongside Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Around the central places in the “realm of fortresses” (Gardarike), as the region was known in Scandinavia, an empire formed, with Byzantine influences playing an important role. Under the Rurikids, the characteristically multi-ethnic territory of the Rus’ developed.
In Eastern Europe, unlike in Western Europe, the influence of the Scandinavians can be traced especially through trading and settlement activities from the 8th century onwards. In order to understand the activities and the living environment of the Scandinavians in the area of the Kievan Rus’, archaeology is of central importance. Grave goods, finds from old settlements and hoards play a major role. They show the high degree of interconnectedness and the multi-ethnic composition of the population in Rus’. Through the finds we also learn a lot about fashions, techniques, trade goods and living conditions.
The settlements of early Rus’
The Treasure of Gnezdovo
Reasons for depositions of hoards or treasures:
Graves
In Kievan Rus’, tumuli or burial mounds were common, as they were in Scandinavia. In Gnezdovo, for example, several thousand burial mounds were counted. They were often furnished with grave goods that show Scandinavian influence.
Did you know?
Amber was an extremely important and sought-after trade good in the Baltic Sea region and exported to the east. Can you find the little amber cat hiding on this wall?
Note: The objects and graves on this wall have been assembled for the purpose of this presentation and do not represent actual graves.
Tjulenino, 10th–11th c.
Iron
Berlin, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte, Inv. PM Pr 7437
From the Viking Age, axes are mainly known as weapons. However, they were also used as multifunctional tools, for example to chop and work wood. Because of its shape, this axe can be identified as a battle-axe. It was found in the grave of a wealthy person.
Sigtuna, 11th c.
Copper alloy
Sigtuna, Sigtuna Museum & Art, Inv. 13883
Axe heads of this size were used as amulets and are common as grave finds in the area of the Kievan Rus’. They probably symbolised/were associated with a warrior ideal. Objects of this type were also found in large numbers in Sigtuna.
Region of Kaliningrad, 800–1100
Iron
Berlin, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte, Inv. PM Pr 7430
Weapons were deformed or destroyed mainly in a ritual context: e.g. at a or after the victory over an enemy whose weapons were then broken. This custom is mainly known from Scandinavia. However, during the Viking Age it also spread to the Western Baltic area. The rolled sword shown here is of Scandinavian origin and has a decorated pommel.
Production: eichfelder artworks
Length part 1: 05:39 min
Length part 2: 04:56 min
Listen to the travelogue of Ibn Fadlãn, an emissary of the Caliph of Baghdad, who undertook a long journey into the territory of the Volgabulgars. On his way, he met people he called Rus’ (Rūsiyyah) and gives a detailed account of their appearance and their (in his eyes) strange customs.
Attention:
The text contains descriptions of sexualised violence (Part 2).