Geochemical constraints on the provenance of viking Age soapstone finds from Ribe, Denmark

Resumé

Steatite objects are regarded as one of the characteristic features of Viking Age material
culture, present in both Atlantic settlements and the Scandinavian homelands. However,
the provenance of steatite artefacts in these regions can be difficult to determine. Any
resolution regarding the origin of steatite finds from precisely dated context such as in
Ribe, Denmark can thus contribute to the understanding of the development of commerce
and urbanization at the very beginning of the Viking period. Here, we present X-ray
fluorescence (XRF) data for 20 steatite objects from Ribe phases F-I (790-850AD), one
sample from nearby Okholm, and four samples from Hedeby and compare the data to
steatite deposits in Norway and Sweden; in addition to steatite objects from other places such
as Bergen and Kaupang. The results suggest, that Ribe initially sourced its soapstone from
a quite limited number of deposits; one possible candidate being the deposits at Hisåsen
near Fjaere in Agder, southern Norway. Over the course of the 9th century these imports
were supplemented by other, possibly multiple sources. The small amount of soapstone
data available from other emporia, together with methodological inconsistencies prevent
us from drawing any further conclusions. However, the available data is consistent with the
possibility of the deposit, that supplied Ribe in the late 8th and early 9th centuries; may also
have supplied soapstone to Kaupang and Hedeby.