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28.11.2020

Birka, Bjorko

Birka, situated on the island of Björkö in present-day Sweden, played a significant role as a bustling Viking trade hub. It facilitated the exchange of goods from Scandinavia, Finland, Central and Eastern Europe, and the East. Located on Lake Mälaren, approximately 30 kilometers west of modern Stockholm, in the Eckero municipality, Birka was established around 750 AD and thrived for over two centuries. Its decline began around 975 AD, coinciding with the founding of Sigtuna, a Christian city located about 35 kilometers northeast of Birka. Historical estimates suggest that during the Viking Age, Birka had a population ranging from 500 to 1000 individuals.

The archaeological sites of Birka and Hovgorden on the neighboring Adelso Island constitute an archaeological complex that vividly illustrates the intricate trading networks of Viking Scandinavia and their lasting impact on European history. Often regarded as the oldest city in Sweden, Birka, along with Hovgorden, earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1993. Notably, a silver ring with an Arabic inscription discovered in a Viking Age tomb at Birka represents the first such ring found in Scandinavia from that era.

Birka's establishment in around 750 AD can be attributed to either royal initiative aimed at controlling and expanding trade or the evolution of a seasonal trading location. It stands as one of the earliest urban settlements in Scandinavia and served as a vital link for Baltic trade routes connecting Ladoga (Aldeya), Novgorod (Holmsgard), the Byzantine Empire, and the Abbasid Caliphate. Birka also holds significance as the site of Sweden's first known Christian community, established by St. Ansgar in 831 AD.

As a trading center, Birka likely offered fur and iron products, as well as various handicrafts, in exchange for a wide range of materials from across Europe and Western Asia. Fur commodities came from the Saami, Finns, residents of Northwest Russia, and local hunters, including bear, fox, marten, otter, beaver, and other species. Deer antlers held substantial value as a trade item, as did horn-made combs. Other goods exchanged included walrus teeth, amber, and honey.

Birka, Bjorko

"The tombs in Birka have yielded a variety of foreign items, including glass and metal tableware, earthenware from the Rhine region, garments and textiles, such as Chinese silk, intricate Byzantine gold thread embroidery, brocade with golden motifs, and high-quality wicker cords. Starting from the ninth century, there was an emergence of coins minted in places like Haitabu in northern Germany and other parts of Scandinavia. Nevertheless, the predominant currency discovered in Birka consists of silver dirhams from the Caliphate, with English and Carolingian coins being quite rare.

The primary sources of information about Birka mainly stem from archaeological discoveries. No written texts from this area have survived, although the written account of Vita Ansgari Rimbert (circa 865) narrates the missionary endeavors of Ansgar around 830 in Birka, and the Gesta Hammaburgensis Ecclesiae Pontificum (Acts of the Bishops of the Great Church) by Adam of Bremen in 1075 describes Archbishop Unni, who passed away in Birka in 936. The efforts of St. Ansgar represented the initial endeavor to convert the indigenous Scandinavian population from their native religion to Christianity, but it did not achieve significant success."

Birka, Bjorko

Over the centuries, the precise location of Birka was lost, leading to various assumptions by Swedish historians. However, in the "Chronicles of Sweden," dating back to around 1450, the island of Björkö was already referred to as Birka:

"In Sweden, there were three capitals, two of which were not far from Uppsala. One was called Sigtuna, and the other was Birka. Birka was situated on an island in Lake Mälaren known as Björkö. The third capital was in West Götaland and was called Skara."

The first attempts to excavate Birka on Björkö were made by the national antiquities dealer Johan Hadorf in the late 17th century.

Towards the end of the 19th century, Jalmar Stolpe, primarily an entomologist by training, arrived on Björkö to study the fossilized insects found in amber on the island. Stolpe discovered a substantial amount of amber on the island, which was unusual since amber is not typically found in Lake Mälaren. This discovery led Stolpe to speculate that the island might have served as a significant trading hub. Consequently, he embarked on a series of archaeological excavations between 1871 and 1895. These excavations revealed the presence of a substantial settlement on the island, and Stolpe dedicated two decades to the excavation of Björkö. Once it was established that Björkö was indeed the site of ancient Birka, it was assumed that the original name "Birka" was possibly an earlier form, such as "Bierkø" (sometimes spelled Bjärkö), which evolved into "Björkö."

Birka, Bjorko

During the excavation process, a substantial collection of textile fragments, primarily from chamber graves, was unearthed. Agnes Gageer conducted the most comprehensive analysis of this collection in 1938, although her research was based on only 5% of the 4800 fabric fragments preserved at the site. This collection encompasses a wide range of textile types, showcasing high-quality fabrics crafted using various techniques, including striped patterns and twill weaves. The quality of these fabrics, predominantly composed of wool and linen, was examined by Geyer and varied from coarse to fine, with intricate yarn work requiring advanced techniques. Silk and other materials, such as gold and silver threads, were less commonly found.

Currently, most of Björkö's land is privately owned and used for agricultural purposes. Nevertheless, this historical settlement remains an archaeological site, and a museum has been constructed nearby to display findings, primarily consisting of replicas, models, and reconstructions. It is a popular destination for visitors during the summer months. The complete collection of archaeological discoveries from the Björkö excavations is housed at the Swedish Historical Museum in Stockholm, with many of the artifacts on public display there.

Birka, Bjorko

Archaeological excavations are situated in the northern part of Björkö and cover an extensive area of approximately 7 hectares or 17 acres. These excavations have uncovered a mix of burial sites and structures. In the southern part of this area lies an ancient settlement known as "Borgen" or "Fortress." The construction techniques of these buildings are still not fully understood, but the primary material used was wood. On a nearby island, one can find the remains of Hovgorden, an estate that served as lodging for the king's retinue during their visits.

At its peak, Birka was home to an estimated 700 inhabitants, and approximately 3000 graves have been discovered on the island. The administrative center of Birka was believed to be located outside the settlement itself, on the neighboring island of Adelse.

The most recent major excavations took place between 1990 and 1995 in the area characterized by dark soil, which is believed to have been the primary settlement site. Today, Björkö is primarily dedicated to agriculture, and tour companies transport tourists to the island, where they can explore Viking Age life through the museum and its exhibits.

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