The Birka textiles
The Birka textiles are archaeological textiles found during the excavations of
Birka has been called the "Silk Road of the North" from speculation whether the textiles represented Near or Far Eastern origins.[2]
Background
The Byzantine emperor
Arab writer
There is archaeological evidence for this trade in Sweden where over 60,000 Byzantine coins and Arab Dirhems have been found. There are 2500 rune stones dating between c. 1000-1100 honor men who died in "the Österled (Eastern lands); in Gardarike (Russia), Holmgard (Nogorod), Greece, Miklagard (Byzantium), Jursalia (Jerusalem) and Sarkland (Persia)."[2]
Tabletwoven bands
Tabletwoven bands were found at around 60 of the 170 excavated graves. The warp was woven either entirely of silk, or a combination of silk and an inner material that hasn't survived, and the weft entirely of silk. All the bands were brocaded with metal threads, either of gold or silver, and in two cases a combination. Research by Agnes Geijer identified at least 26 different patterns.[2]
There is controversy about their supposed Eastern origins. Advanced tablet-weaving was known in Nordic countries since before the Viking Age, but these materials and specific constructions are otherwise unknown outside the Birka textiles.[2]