| Revision as of 19:05, 1 February 2006 editTankred (talk | contribs)7,836 editsm →Spelling of Bratislava← Previous edit | Revision as of 20:19, 4 February 2006 edit undoMervyn (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users25,708 edits copyedit, format check, not a stubNext edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| __NOTOC__ | |||
| The '''Amber Road''' (in ]: ''Gintaro kelias''; ]: ''Szlak Bursztynowy'', ''Jantarowy Szlak''; in ]: ''Bernsteinstraße''; in ]: ''Borostyán út'', in ]: ''Янтарный путь'') was an ancient ] for the transfer of ]. As one of the waterways and ancient |
The '''Amber Road''' (in ]: ''Gintaro kelias''; ]: ''Szlak Bursztynowy'', ''Jantarowy Szlak''; in ]: ''Bernsteinstraße''; in ]: ''Borostyán út'', in ]: ''Янтарный путь'') was an ancient ] for the transfer of ]. As one of the waterways and ancient highways, for centuries the road led from ] to ] and back, and from northern Europe to the ]. | ||
| A vital component of ornamental objects, ] was transported from the ] and ] coasts overland by way of the ] and ] rivers to ], ], the ], and ] long before the birth of ], and long after. | A vital component of ornamental objects, ] was transported from the ] and ] coasts overland by way of the ] and ] rivers to ], ], the ], and ] long before the birth of ], and long after. | ||
| Line 7: | Line 8: | ||
| The ] town of ] on the Baltic, was one of the main trading places; Truso was near the town of ], near lake ], in the ] lake district. | The ] town of ] on the Baltic, was one of the main trading places; Truso was near the town of ], near lake ], in the ] lake district. | ||
| In ] the amber road probably |
In ] the amber road probably gave rise to the thriving ] culture, bringing influences from the Mediterranean Sea to the northernmost countries of Europe. | ||
| ==Overview of known amber roads by country== | ==Overview of known amber roads by country== | ||
| ===Poland=== | |||
| The shortest (and possibly oldest) road avoids ] areas and |
The shortest (and possibly oldest) road avoids ] areas and led from the Baltic coastline (Estland) heading southwards to ] down to Aquileia at the ] coast. Another route led towards the ] in Russia. | ||
| Another route did lead towards the ] in Russia. | |||
| ===Germany=== | |||
| '''Germany''' ''(see map at right)'' | |||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| Several roads connected the ] (Nordsee) and ] (Ostsee), especially the city of Ambur (now ]) to the ] ("Burner"-pass), proceeding southwards to ] ''(])'' in Italy and Ambracia (Greece). ''(See map at right)'' | |||
| ⚫ | ===Switzerland=== | ||
| Several roads connecting the ] (Nordsee) and ] (Ostsee), | |||
| ⚫ | The Swiss region indicates a number of alpine roads, concentrating around the capital city ] (''Bernstein'' is the German for amber) and probably originating from the borders of the ] and the ]. | ||
| especially the city of Ambur (now Hamburg) | |||
| to Brennerpass ("Burner"-pass), | |||
| proceeding southwards to Brundisium (Italy) and Ambracia (Greece) | |||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| ⚫ | ===Holland=== | ||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | A small section, including Baarn, Barneveld, Am(b)ersfoort and Am(b)erongen, and connected the North Sea with the Lower Rhine. | ||
| ⚫ | ===Belgium=== | ||
| ⚫ | The Swiss region indicates a number of alpine roads, concentrating around the capital city ] (''Bernstein'' is the German for amber) and probably originating from the borders of the ] and the ]. | ||
| ⚫ | A small section, led southwards from ] and ] to the towns Braine-l’Alleud and Braine-le-Comte, both originally named "Brennia-Brenna" (Latin: “Burner”). The route have continued by following the ]. | ||
| ⚫ | ===France=== | ||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | Only a fragment at ] (near Bordeaux). | ||
| ⚫ | A small section, including Baarn, Barneveld, Am(b)ersfoort and Am(b)erongen, | ||
| and connecting the North Sea with the Lower Rhine. | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| A small section, leading southwards from ] | |||
| and ] to the towns | |||
| ⚫ | Braine-l’Alleud and Braine-le-Comte, both originally named "Brennia-Brenna" (Latin: “Burner”). | ||
| The route may proceed by following the river ]. | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | Only a fragment at Ambares (near Bordeaux). | ||
| For further details on these amber roads see (1 MByte pdf-file): | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| == External links == | == External links == | ||
| * | * | ||
| * | * | ||
| scientific description of the amber road in Poland | |||
| * | * | ||
| * | * | ||
| * (pdf file) | |||
| ⚫ | * (pdf file) | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| Line 60: | Line 44: | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| {{hist-stub}} | |||
| {{econ-stub}} | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 20:19, 4 February 2006
The Amber Road (in Lithuanian: Gintaro kelias; Polish: Szlak Bursztynowy, Jantarowy Szlak; in German: Bernsteinstraße; in Hungarian: Borostyán út, in Russian: Янтарный путь) was an ancient trade route for the transfer of amber. As one of the waterways and ancient highways, for centuries the road led from Europe to Asia and back, and from northern Europe to the Mediterranean.
A vital component of ornamental objects, amber was transported from the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts overland by way of the Vistula and Dnieper rivers to Italy, Greece, the Black Sea, and Egypt long before the birth of Jesus, and long after.
In Roman times, a main route ran south from the Baltic coast in Prussia through the land of the Boii (modern Bohemia) to the head of the Adriatic Sea. The Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun had Baltic amber among his burial goods, and amber was sent from the North Sea to the temple of Apollo at Delphi as an offering. From the Black Sea, trade could continue to Asia along the Silk Road, another ancient trade route.
The Prussian town of Truso on the Baltic, was one of the main trading places; Truso was near the town of Elbląg, near lake Druzno, in the Masurian lake district.
In Scandinavia the amber road probably gave rise to the thriving Nordic Bronze Age culture, bringing influences from the Mediterranean Sea to the northernmost countries of Europe.
Overview of known amber roads by country
Poland
The shortest (and possibly oldest) road avoids alpine areas and led from the Baltic coastline (Estland) heading southwards to Bratislava down to Aquileia at the Adriatic coast. Another route led towards the Black Sea in Russia.
Germany
Several roads connected the North Sea (Nordsee) and East Sea (Ostsee), especially the city of Ambur (now Hamburg) to the Brenner Pass ("Burner"-pass), proceeding southwards to Brindisi (Brundisium) in Italy and Ambracia (Greece). (See map at right)
Switzerland
The Swiss region indicates a number of alpine roads, concentrating around the capital city Bern (Bernstein is the German for amber) and probably originating from the borders of the Rhône River and the Rhine.
Holland
A small section, including Baarn, Barneveld, Am(b)ersfoort and Am(b)erongen, and connected the North Sea with the Lower Rhine.
Belgium
A small section, led southwards from Antwerp and Bruges to the towns Braine-l’Alleud and Braine-le-Comte, both originally named "Brennia-Brenna" (Latin: “Burner”). The route have continued by following the Meuse River.
France
Only a fragment at Ambares (near Bordeaux).
External links
- OWTRAD-scientific description of the amber road in Poland
- Old World Traditional Trade Routes (OWTRAD) Project
- Sketched summary of amber roads
- Amber route along the river Elbe
- Joannes Richter - "Spelling Thee, U & I - Introducing into the art of amber trading & Initiation in the great Androgyne Religion" (pdf file)
- Joannes Richter - "Die Bernsteinroute bei Backnang" (pdf file)