People from Pskov in Estonian towns in the 13th century according to archaeological evidence
People from Pskov in Estonian towns in the 13th century according to archaeological evidence

Summary/Abstract: The earliest towns in the territory of Estonia were founded in the 13th century. Their populations were multi-ethnic: in addition to the German merchants and artisans who dominated urban life, these towns were also inhabited by people of local origin as well as Scandinavians. The results of archaeological excavations indicate that in the second and third quarters of the 13th century, settlers of Rus’ origin from Pskov took up residence in the towns of Tartu, Viljandi, and Tallinn. In all of these towns, the Pskovians lived on the outskirts, in their own district. Numerous archaeological remains have been uncovered demonstrating that the Pskovians were engaged in the production of pottery in Tartu, Tallinn, and Viljandi, and in the manufacture of glass beads in Tartu and Tallinn. These settlers were permanent residents of the towns rather than temporary visitors. By the 14th century at the latest, the Pskovians had assimilated into the local urban population. In the 15th century, Tartu was home to the St George’s Orthodox Church, which belonged to Novgorodian merchants, and to the Pskovians’ Church of St Nicholas; Tallinn likewise had a St Nicholas Orthodox Church belonging to merchants from Novgorod. These merchant churches are not connected with the Pskovian settlements that existed in these towns in the 13th century.

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