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Revision as of 19:05, 1 February 2006 by Tankred (talk | contribs) (→Spelling of Bratislava)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)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 begat the thriving Nordic Bronze Age culture, bringing influences from the miditerranean 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 leads from the Baltic coastline (Estland) heading southwards to Bratislava down to Aquileia at the Adriatic coast. Another route did lead towards the Black Sea in Russia.
Germany (see map at right)
Several roads connecting the North Sea (Nordsee) and East Sea (Ostsee), especially the city of Ambur (now Hamburg) to Brennerpass ("Burner"-pass), proceeding southwards to Brundisium (Italy) and Ambracia (Greece)
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 Rhone and the Rhine.
Holland
A small section, including Baarn, Barneveld, Am(b)ersfoort and Am(b)erongen, and connecting the North Sea with the Lower Rhine.
Belgium
A small section, leading southwards from Antwerpen and Brugge 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 Meuse.
France
Only a fragment at Ambares (near Bordeaux).
For further details on these amber roads see (1 MByte pdf-file):
External links
- OWTRAD-scientific description of the amber road in Poland
- Old World Traditional Trade Routes (OWTRAD) Project
scientific description of the amber road in Poland
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