Reflections on Early Medieval Exchange

Abstract

Recent developments in early medieval archaeology, especially the large-scale introduction of scientific techniques, have a great impact on our understanding of the movement of people and objects and indirectly the movement of ideas and knowledge.The new understandings may even lead to changes in the paradigmatic perception of the period, often indicated as the Migration period, Dark Ages or Late Antiquity.Gradually a new perception seems to nuance the ideologically informed and quite exclusive images which the ancient authors presented to their audience, and which were used to construct the dominant modern paradigm into a more nuanced and inclusive image in which all population groups have a role.The impact of science on the existing paradigm seems to give more agency to until recently neglected groups such as rural dwellers in the creative process of building up a new society on the ruins of the Roman state at least in the West.Science thus does not just provide more and new data of a different kind but may have (hopefully) a great impact on how we will perceive early medieval Europe in the (near) future.The analysis of the movement and distribution of objects, often considered to play an important role in identity formation and representation is one of the core research fields of early medieval archaeology Summary 1 'Trade'.-2 A Market Economy?. -3 The Value of Early Medieval Objects.-4 Spheres of Exchange and Regimes of Value.-5 Coinless Exchange, especially Riverbased Exchange.Studi e ricerche 47

Authors 1

1. Frans Theuws corresponding Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University