• Home
  • About
  • Become a contributor
  • Contact

DisputedPast

A history blog with the latest from the past
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Art
    • Biography
    • Espionage
    • Government
    • Religion
    • Sexuality
    • Society
    • Technology
    • War
  • Scrutinized
  • Documentaries
  • Reviews

Early medieval bowl reveals widespread Frisian’ trading network

02 July 2014 by Jan Huisman in Archaeology News - 2 Comments

The discovery of a rich decorated silver bowl at an excavation in the Dutch town of Oegstgeest (near Leiden) gives us an insight into the widespread international network of its early medieval owners. The bowl was created in the sixth century, probably in the Mediterranean or Near East. Further decorations,  added in the early seventh century, show typical English, German and Scandinavian influences. The origin and later additions of the bowl suggest that its owners were part of a far-reaching trading network.

Animals and plant figures of gold decorate the bowl, that is inlaid with precious stones as well. Since most similar artefacts from this era are made of bronze, this particular find is very rare and valuable. It is unclear why it was put in the ground. Researchers suggest it could be part of a sacrificial burial, though there is no proof of a local early medieval élite. 

At the time, the region was dominated by the Frisians, an early medieval tribe that controlled most of the continental North sea coastal area (excluding the peninsula of Scandinavia). They were known for their widespread trading networks.

More information on: Website University of Leiden

 

  • pinterest
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • google
  • linkedin
  • stumbleupon

Jan Huisman

Previous Story
Former Auschwitz guards will not be prosecuted
Next Story
Modern civilization started as men became more feminine

Related Posts

  • Today is Willy Brandt’s 100th birthday
  • CIA says Josip Broz Tito was a Russian
  • Bones of diseased medieval Britons digitized and exhibited online
  • How the death penalty contributed to a better society
  • Does ‘Black Pete’ have racist roots?
  • Adolf Hitler ‘not so bad’
  • Adolf Hitler stays honorary citizen of Dietramszell

2 Comments

  • Finn MacDirk

    Mon the fuckin’ Frisians! Courtesy a holdover from the Freasdale branch, Argyll, Scotland. Fryslan Boppe!

    March 10, 2016 / Reply
  • The Frisian Traders | Friends of York's Anglian Era

    […] http://disputedpast.com/news/early-medieval-bowl-shows-frisian-international-position-early-medieval… […]

    June 2, 2015 / Reply

Leave a Comment

Cancel reply

Support this website by liking it on Social Media!

History news by Time Period

  • » Pre history
  • » Antiquities
  • » Middle ages
  • » Early modern age
  • » Modern age

Most read today

Newly added documentaries

  • Kings and Queens of England

    Get yourself comfortable and watch this 4,5 hour…

  • British Pathé shows a wide range of historical footage

    If you like old news footage you definitely have…

  • The real white queen and her rivals

    The Wars of the Roses raged through England from…

  • Henry VII: the Winter King

    Henry VII was the first Tudor-monarch of England.…

  • Henry VIII: The mind of a Tyrant

    Henry VIII is more than a historical figure: he…

  • Women and religion

    Another great documentary by Bettany Hughes.This…

  • Fire and Ice: The winter war

    The Winter War between Finland and Russia had a…

  • The Spanish Civil War

    The Spanish Civil War is regarded as the prelude…

Featured

  • What did the real Jesus look like?

    Our image of Jesus is that of a bearded, masculine figure. A man in agony, hanging on the cross, crucified for the sins of humanity. This rather gloomy presence is quite different in comparison to the Jesus from early Christianity. This original image of Christ is much debated lately, mainly… Read full history →

Scrutinized

  • The hunt for Germany’s nazi-criminals continues: 6000 suspects await investigation

    The leading executive of Germany’s center for nazi-crimes expects that about a dozen former concentration camp thugs are to be arrested. Chief attorney Kurt Schrimm told the Deutsche Presse Agentur (dap) the authorities are working on a list with all the guards at Auschwitz, 6,000 in number. Schrimm heads the center for nazi-crimes and he and 19 employees are on… Read full history →

Featured documentaries

  • The top 5 best history documentary series

    There are so many good history documentaries out there – and lots of crappy ones as well. As a historian and documentary lover, I watched a lot historical documentaries. Good ones. And many bad ones. This list is about the first group.True history documentaries, made by historians. Other criteria are… Read full history →

www.DisputedPast.com - A history blog with the latest from the past * Terms of service *