Kaupas

Kaupas refers to a significant Viking Age trading center located in Sambia, now part of the Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia. Situated on the Curonian Lagoon, Kaupas flourished from approximately the 9th to the 11th centuries, serving as a crucial link in trade routes connecting Scandinavia, Central Europe, and the Baltic region with the East, including the Arab world and Byzantium.

Kaupas was not a fortified settlement; instead, it appears to have been a largely open trading emporium. Archaeological evidence indicates a diverse population, including Scandinavians (particularly Vikings), Prussians (Old Prussians), and others who engaged in trade and craft production.

Excavations at Kaupas have revealed a wealth of artifacts, including weapons, jewelry, tools, coins (both Western European and Islamic dirhams), amber, glass beads, and various items indicative of extensive trade networks. These findings provide valuable insights into the economic and cultural interactions of the Viking Age Baltic region.

The decline of Kaupas in the 11th century is believed to be related to several factors, including shifting trade routes, increasing political instability, and potentially raids or conflicts. While the exact reasons for its abandonment remain debated, Kaupas's role as a major trading center was eventually superseded by other settlements in the region. Today, the archaeological site of Kaupas offers crucial information about the Viking presence in the southeastern Baltic and the complex network of trade and exchange that characterized the era.