Amber Road

The Amber Road (in Lithuanian: Gintaro kelias; Polish: Szlak Bursztynowy, Jantarowy Szlak; in Czech: Jantarová stezka; 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

Central Europe

The shortest (and possibly oldest) road avoids alpine areas and led from the Baltic coastline (Estland) through Poland, passed the Moravian Gate in Czech Republik, followed the river Morava to Austria, crossed the Danube near Carnuntum, heading southwards down to Aquileia at the Adriatic coast.

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.

The Netherlands

A small section, including Baarn, Barneveld, Amersfoort and Amerongen, 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 towards Bern in Switzerland.

France

Three routes may be identified leading from a region called Brenne at the mouth of river Loire towards Bresse and Bern, crossing the Alps to Switzerland and Italy. Route fragments are beginning at Ambares (near Bordeaux), leading to Béarn and using the Pyrenees as a trading route.

External links

trade routes | History of Europe | Prehistory of Poland (until 966) | History of Prussia

Bernsteinstraße | Route de l'ambre | Barnsteenroute | Szlak bursztynowy | Jantárová cesta (história)

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