dr Sławomir Wadyl

Section 28.: From Jatviag to Mindaugas. The Lands of the Balts in the Early Middle Ages

Until the 9th century, historical sources referred to the Prussians as the Aesti. Around the same time, the name Bruzi appears and subsequently becomes the term used for the inhabitants of the southeastern Baltic shores. Seemingly, the cultural landscape of the early Middle Ages appears to align with the image of the Prussians depicted in medieval sources, and the settlement structure seems to reflect a clear division into three cultural zones. On the one hand, this could suggest that as early as the 7th century, a stable cultural system had formed, which endured for centuries. On the other hand, this is an oversimplification—changes that took place in this region during the 9th and 10th centuries do not fit into straightforward models. We observe the survival of post-Olsztyn community enclaves, a significant cultural and settlement crisis, increased Scandinavian activity in the region, and finally, the image of a strong, pagan people who became the target of Christianization efforts.