The Viking trading town of Hedeby (Old Norse: Heiðabýr) flourished between the 8th and 11th century and was an important trading settlement at the southern end of the Jutland Peninsular between modern-day Denmark and Germany. It is also the most important archaeological site in Schleswig-Holstein.
Modern day view of the site of Hedeby (source: Wikipedia)
The settlement was first mentioned in Frankish chronicles in 804, but the post was probably founded around 770. The location was crucial as it was situated at the head of a narrow, navigable inlet connecting to the Baltic sea called the Schlei. This had the favourable addition of a short portage of 15km to the Treene River, which in turn, flows in to the Eider and the North Sea. This meant that boats could be ported overland easily to avoid having to sail around the Jutland peninsular, which was dangerous and time-consuming. These factors allowed Hedeby to become the second largest Norse town in the Viking Age.
Location of Hedeby (source: Wikipedia)
In 808 the Danish king Godfed destroyed a competing Slavic trading centre at Reric and moved the merchants from there to Hedeby, as recorded in the Frankish chronicles. This probably provided the impetus for the town to grow, along with Godfred's strengthening of the Danevirke to join the defences at Hedeby. These factors along with the geographical location allowed Hedeby to rise in importance so much so that by 825 it was minting its own coins, was mentioned by visitors from England and the Mediterranean. In 948 it became the seat of a Bishop.
Busy Hedeby riverfront reconstruction. (source: Pintrest)
Hedeby was a crowded town with merchants and traders competing for space, especially at the important riverfront. Archaeologists have discovered that the average life span of the inhabitants was about 30-40 years old and the people suffered from many illnesses, such as tuberculosis, probably caused by the unsanitary living conditions. Al-Tartushi, a traveller from Spain, visited Hedeby in the 10th Century and was not impressed, but he has left us the most colourful description of the town:
"Slesvig (Hedeby) is a very large town at the extreme end of the world ocean.... The inhabitants worship Sirius, except for a minority of Christians who have a church of their own there.... He who slaughters a sacrificial animal puts up poles at the door to his courtyard and impales the animal on them, be it a piece of cattle, a ram, billygoat or a pig so that his neighbors will be aware that he is making a sacrifice in honor of his god. The town is poor in goods and riches. People eat mainly fish which exist in abundance. Babies are thrown into the sea for reasons of economy. The right to divorce belongs to the women.... Artificial eye make-up is another peculiarity; when they wear it their beauty never disappears, indeed it is enhanced in both men and women. Further: Never did I hear singing fouler than that of these people, it is a rumbling emanating from their throats, similar to that of a dog but even more bestial."
Reconstruction of Hedeby around 876 AD (source: http://www.schools2.cic.ames.cam.ac.uk)
In 1050 the town was attacked by King Harald Hardrada of Norway who burnt the town by sending several burning ships into the harbour. This was during conflict with King Sweyn II of Denmark. The remains of the burnt boats were discovered by archaeologists in recent excavations. In 1066 Hedeby was attacked by East Slavs who sacked and burned the town and this led to the final abandonment of the trading post. People moved across the Schlei and founded the modern settlement of Schleswig.
Reconstruction of Hedeby (source: Pintrest)
Rising waters allowed for the final covering of Hedeby, but also provided waterlogged conditions that are necessary for some archaeological preservation, such as wood and textiles. Excavations in 1900 first recovered the amazing preservation of the site. These excavations continued for 15 years, starting again in 1930 until 1939 and since 1959 intermittently. Despite the massive amount of work carried out on the site over the years only 5% of the town has been uncovered. In 2005 work began on reconstructing the Viking Age houses based on the remains that had been excavated. The museum on the site also houses the artefacts that have been discovered on the site.
Modern reconstructed houses at Hedeby (source: Wikipedia)
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