In ancient times, not only was the Silk Road a significant trade route, but there also existed a combined land and water route used for the transportation of amber, which endured for centuries.
The Silk Road connected far-flung corners of the Eurasian continent and was not the only major route in the ancient world. In Europe, an ancient trade network stretched from the North Sea to the Mediterranean, catering to the demand for amber, often referred to as “the gold of the North”, according to IFL Science.
The largest amber deposit is located in the Baltic region of northwestern Europe. (Photo: Milla77).
Researchers have been unable to determine exactly when the Amber Road first appeared. Humans have been collecting amber from the Baltic coast for over 13,000 years, although evidence of long-distance amber trade dates back to around 3000 BC. Organized amber trading developed around 3,500 years ago.
Similar to the Silk Road, this was not a single route but rather a network of intertwined trade paths. It comprised a loosely organized network of land routes and river pathways from Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea, passing through present-day Germany, Poland, Austria, Hungary, and Slovenia, heading towards the Mediterranean Sea, including Italy, Greece, Syria, and Egypt.
Chemical analyses of amber jewelry found in Southern Europe reveal that much of it originates from Northern Europe or the Baltic Sea. Even the tomb of the most famous young king of ancient Egypt, Tutankhamun, contained Baltic amber. Researchers have even discovered evidence of Baltic amber in Asia, indicating that the Amber Road extended further than previously thought. In 1914, two amber beads dating back 3,800 years were found near the western bank of the Tigris River in Iraq. Using advanced imaging techniques, scientists have recently confirmed the Baltic origin of the amber.
Amber was not the only commodity traded along the route. Other goods from the north, such as furs, honey, and wax, were also exported. In exchange, the northerners would purchase Roman glass, bronze, gold, and various other metals from the Mediterranean region.
Highly valued for its translucent orange color, amber is fossilized tree resin that oozed from certain cone-bearing trees. These trees grew in southern Scandinavia and the Baltic region over 45 million years ago, likely leading to the massive amounts of amber that accumulated in the area. This northern European region hosts the largest amber deposits in the world. Along the beaches of the Baltic Sea, it is not uncommon to find amber pieces washed ashore. They become smooth due to the ocean waves and sometimes have small barnacles attached. This beautiful material often appears in jewelry and various decorations, and is also used for medicinal purposes and protection against evil.
Another significant amber deposit is located in the Mediterranean, notably in Sicily, at the foot of Mount Castrogiovanni (now known as Enna) and Caltanissetta. Today, Baltic amber remains highly favored for its beauty and unique chemical composition.
