4 ms·

Here is something to increase your sample size: https://www.academia.edu/1722281/Islamic_Coin_Hoards_and_the_Trade_Routes_How_Dirham_Reached_the_North https://w

• pbhjpbhj 12y ago
  But that doesn't - the authors in the paper are explicitly claiming that this ring shows direct communication between the Caliphate and Swedish vikings, that the woman recently acquired the ring directly based on the wear of the ring and it's form. The GP is right to question the sample size IMO. Your citation moves the opposite direction and reinforces the GP's statement that the items can travel far in myriad ways.
  • huxley 12y ago
    Not at all, the parent and the article claim it was a unique item, it isn't. There was a predominance of silver Islamic dirham over any other currency including local varieties, this is strong evidence of direct trade with Islamic countries (as cited in another of my comments: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9214849 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9214849 )
    • pbhjpbhj 12y ago
      I think we're at cross-purposes to some extent. The paper isn't claiming the article is unique [in being Afghan silver jewellery in Sweden] as it clearly mentions not only other silver coins but other rings (IIRC) having come to Sweden from "the Caliphate". The specific details of the physical appearance of the ring they are claiming indicate that this item has a unique story; I challenge that claim being entirely supported by the evidence they presented (see my other comments).