Pages: 479-486

The paper presents some thoughts on the issue of archaeological data interpretation (concerning women’s jewelry) in the context of processes that led to the formation of the Old Russian state. The author critically considers the ideas about the “Scandinavian control on the Baltic-Volga trade route” and “Scandinavian colonies” in Eastern Europe. The author also raises a question on the initial political status of the emerging trade-specialized settlements in Ladoga and Gnezdovo and their real role in the formation of the Old Russian state.

Keywords: Old Russian state, Gnezdovo, Ladoga, Scandinavians, Varangians, Slavs, horseshoe fibulae, sarafan, toponym, etymology, trade

Information about author:

Aleksey Romanchuk (Kishinev, Moldova). Master of Anthropology. Institute of Cultural Heritage of Academy of Sciences of Moldova. Stefan cel Mare Bd., 1, Kishinev, MD-2001, Moldova
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]