Pages: 283-299

The relations between South-West Baltic and Russia in the Early Middle Ages were on the priority basis. The archeological evidences of Scandinavians are far less seen, and greater part of them cannot support their immediate presence. The etymology of the name ‘vaering’, as well as some other arguments of the “Norman” theory point out the German ethnic component and are not related to Scandinavia in any way. The Slavic population of South-West Baltics during Early Middle Ages was the result of assimilation of very complex ethnic groups, including the German component. Thus, all these arguments suggest that the “South-Baltic” theory of ‘vaerings’ and ‘rus'’ origin is the most convincing today.

Keywords: Early Middle Ages, Eastern Europe, history, archaeology, Varangians, Rus', Slavs

Information about author:

Aleksey Romanchuk (Kishinev, Moldova). Master of Anthropology. High Anthropological School University, Zimbrului St., 10a, Kishinev, MD-2024, Moldova
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]