Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson

In Relations and Runes a number of specialists from the fields of archaeology, numismatics and runology explore the complexity of developments and relations in the Baltic Sea region during the Late Iron Age and Early Middle Ages. The contributions in the book cover a wide spectrum of topics and approaches highlighting how islands functioned as nodes in interaction and communication, while constructing and maintaining individual identities. With special focus on the islands of Öland, Gotland and Bornholm, in-depth studies of specific archaeological materials are set in a broader context of cultural development and change in the Baltic. This book is the outcome of a joint venture between two research projects – The Viking Phenomenon and Everlasting Runes, and Gotland Museum.

Vikingatiden i Skandinavien börjar samtidigt som Birka grundas. Nordbornas skepp har nu utvecklats och förbättrats i samspel med den ökande sjöfarten. Framför allt är seglet en stor nyhet i vår del av världen. En nyhet som radikalt förenklar långväga handelsresor och krigståg. Boken sätter in Birkas skepp i en omvärld av handelskontakter, den värld som skeppen rörde sig i. Birka framstår som en betydande sjöfartsstad i ett närmast världsomspännande handelsnät. Ny forskning omvärderar mycket av det vi trott oss veta om vikingatiden. Det gäller inte minst handelsresorna i österled och kontakterna med slaverna och det bysantinska kejsarriket. Hur gick sjöresorna till? Hur långt kunde man egentligen ta sig med ett vikingaskepp på de ryska och ukrainska floderna? Boken utgår från Sjöhistoriska museets nyligen avslutade utgrävningar av Birkas hamn. Fynden presenteras tillsammans med rekonstruktioner av skeppen och båtarna med deras rigg och segel de "svenska" vikingaskeppen.

During three archaeological excavation campaigns in the Garrison area of Birka, unique evidence of Viking Age military material culture was uncovered. Numerous finds show evidence of links between the Birka warriors and the Eastern trade route. The cultural exchange that took place along this route influenced both weaponry and dress, creating a stylistic expression described in archaeological research as oriental, oriental-style or orient-influenced. The nomadic mounted warrior of the Eastern steppes was a major influence, and the Garrison material indicates direct contact, exemplified by a complete belt-set of steppe nomadic origin. This paper focuses on the variety of oriental-style mounts found in the Garrison that had originally served as mounts on the costume and equipment of the nomad rider where they functioned as symbols of rank and status. The study shows that the Birka warriors were aware of the original intrinsic meaning and symbolism of the Eastern mounted warrior's dress, belt and belt-pouch and to an extent adopted the ideological framework associated with these.