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Amber Road

The Amber Road (in Polish: Szlak Bursztynowy, Jantarowy Szlak; in German: Bernsteinstraße; in Russian: Янтарный путь) was an ancient trade route for the transfer of amber. As one of the waterways and ancient 'highways', the road for centuries led from Europe to Asia and vice versa, 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.

Prussian town Truso on the Baltic was one of the main trading places; Truso was near the later city of Elbląg at the Druzno lake.

Last updated: 01-04-2007 01:18:57
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