Der Main als Kommunikations- und Handelsweg im Frühmittelalter – Fossa Carolina, Burgen, Königshöfe und der überregionale Handelsplatz Karlburg. In: Flüsse als Kommunikations- und Handelswege. Marschenratskolloquium 2009. 201-226. (original) (raw)
The River Main as route of communication and trade in the early Middle Ages -Fossa Carolina, castles, royal courts and the Karlburg trading place Peter Ettel Mit 10 Abbildungen Inhalt: Fossa Carolina, Burgen und Königshöfe weisen auf die Bedeutung des Mains für Kommunikation und Handel im Frühmittelalter hin. Der Main eröffnete Wege nach Süden, Norden und Westen zu den Zentren des fränkischkarolingischen Reiches. Der frühmittelalterliche Zentralort Karlburg zeigt die Bedeutung des Mains für Verkehr und Handel. Zunächst im Besitz des Königs, seit 741/42 der Bischöfe von Würzburg und geschützt von zwei Burgen, entwickelte sich die Talsiedlung mit 20 ha Ausdehnung, darin ein Königshof und das Marienkloster. Importierte Güter aus dem Rheinland und insbesondere Metallfunde wie Fibeln belegen die europaweiten Verbindungen in Verkehr und Handel. Abstract: The Fossa Carolina, castles and royal courts testify to the importance of the River Main for communication and trade in the early Middle Ages. The Main opened up communication routes to the south, north and west with the major centres of the Frankish-Carolingian Empire. The early medieval central place Karlburg illustrates the importance of the Main for traffic and trade. Owned first by the king and then, from AD 741/42, by the bishops of Würzburg, it was protected by two castles. The 20 ha settlement developed in the river valley to include a royal court and a monastery dedicated to St Mary. Imported goods from the Rhine area and, in particular, metal finds such as fibulae point to Europewide trade and transportation links.
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The early medieval city of Karlburg, today part of the town of Karlstadt, is situated about 25 km from Würzburg on the left bank of the Main River Valley.The Main, as an important traffic route, opened up communications to the south, north and west via Frankfurt and Mainz on the Rhine to the centres of the Franconian-Carolingian empire. Owned first by the king, then, from 741/42 AD by the bishop, and protected by two castles, the settlement in the valley developed, eventually including a royal court and a cloister dedicated to St.Mary. Aerial photographs and surveys prove a total extent of about 20 ha. This size hints at the importance of the settlement existing from the 7th to the 13th century and allows us to compare it to early urban sites and developments, either in the realm of westfranconian monastries or palatinates of Carolingian and Ottonian times. In late Merowingian and Carolingian times Karlburg is distinguished by finds mostly of a Franconian character and by the presence of a socially elevated group of peers. Also, its structure, including crafting areas, a convent and harbour at the centre, and the castle on the hill as a military and political strong point indicate a planned foundation by Franconian colonists. Imported goods from the Rhine area and, in particular, metal finds such as fibulas point to europewide connections of trade and culture and testify to the importance of the early medieval Karlburg for communication and trade.
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