A recent study of the Bedale Hoard, discovered in North Yorkshire in 2012, has revealed the extensive and complex trade networks of the Viking Age. The findings indicate that Viking settlements in England were connected to markets in regions corresponding to modern-day Iran and Iraq. This challenges the traditional view of Vikings as solely raiders, highlighting their significant involvement in long-distance commerce.
The Bedale Hoard, dating to the late 9th or early 10th century, contains 29 silver ingots and several necklaces. Geochemical analyses, including lead isotope and trace element identification, have traced the origins of the silver. While a portion of the silver came from Western European coins, nearly a third of the ingots were identified as originating from silver minted within the Islamic Caliphate. These Islamic dirhams traveled thousands of kilometers along Scandinavian trade routes, known as Austrvegr, to reach England. Dr. Jane Kershaw, Associate Professor of Viking Age Archaeology at the University of Oxford, stated that the traditional image of Vikings as mere raiders is incomplete, emphasizing their deep engagement in trade networks stretching from Northern Europe to the Islamic Caliphate. The study suggests that these traders brought substantial quantities of Islamic silver when establishing settlements in England, integrating them into a broader Eurasian economic system. The Vikings' metalworking skills are also highlighted, with evidence of silver being refined using locally sourced lead, likely from the North Pennines, demonstrating advanced techniques and resource utilization.