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Defining a culture: the meaning of Hanseatic in medieval Turku

Part of: Medieval Archaeology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Visa Immonen
Visa Immonen*
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology/School of Cultural Research, Henrikinkatu 2, FI-20014 University of Turku, Finland (Email: vialim@utu.fi)
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Extract

This paper explores the influence of merchants operating out of Germany in medieval Turku by comparing the evidence of documentary reports and the quantity and distribution of imported pottery. The documents make it clear that German merchants were present in the town and generally keep themselves aloof from the local citizens. But the pottery tells a different and more subtle story of interaction and involvement in which all parties are potential drivers. The author calls into question the ethnic and exploitative models for a Hansa culture, preferring a post-colonial interpretation that allows us to see the formation of cultures that are hybrid and local in context.

Keywords

Finlandmedievalceramicsethnicitypost-colonialHanseatic
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 81 , Issue 313 , 1 September 2007 , pp. 720 - 732
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 2007

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