Ancient Estonia

Ancient Estonia concerns the period of independence prior to the conquest and subjugation of the Estonian people in the Thirteenth Century. Three main periods can be discerned: the Stone Age period spanning from at least the ninth millennium BC to the middle of the second millennium BC, the Bronze and Iron age period spanning to the end of the first millennium AD, and the Late Ancient period spanning to the thirteenth century.

In the first centuries AD political and administrative subdivisions began to emerge. Two larger subdivisions appeared: the parish (kihelkond) and the county (maakond). The parish consisted of several villages. Nearly all parishes had at least one fortress. The defense of the local area was directed by the highest official, the parish elder. The county was composed of several parishes, also headed by an elder. By the 13th century the following major districts had developed in Estonia: Saaremaa (Osilia), Läänemaa (Rotalia or Maritima), Harjumaa (Harria), Rävala (Revalia), Virumaa (Vironia), Järvamaa (Jervia), Sakala (Saccala), and Ugandi (Ugaunia).

Stone Age

The oldest know settlement in Estonia is the Pulli settlement, dated to the middle of the ninth millennium BC. During the Mesolithic period the so-called kunda culture, named after the settlement found on an island on Lake Kunda, spanned from southern Finland along the eastern Baltics to the mouth of the Vistula river in Poland. Their settlements tended to be located adjacent to bodies of water such as lakes and rivers, affording a source of food and a means of travel due to the impermeable nature of the forests at that time.

During Neolithic period, around the fourth century BC, emerged the comb pottery culture, named after the particular form of pottery with their outer surfaces decorated by dimples and rows of grooves. Artifacts from the comb pottery culture has been found in northern Finland, eastern Prussia and as far east as the Ural Mountains. It is considered that the people of the comb pottery culture were the direct ancestors of the Baltic Finns.

Around 2200BC the boat axe culture arrived from the south, named after the well polished battleaxes resembling boats. Their pottery was decorated with corded patterns. These Indo Europeans originated from somewhere between the Rhine and Dnieper rivers. They brought with them skills in animal husbandry and land cultivation.

Metal Ages

Between the end of the Bronze Age and during the early Iron Age (6th century BC – 1st century AD) saw the establishment of agriculture as the foundation of the Estonian culture and economy. The following period spanning from first the the fifth century AD, known as the Roman Iron Age due to cultural influences from the Roman Empire, saw growth in the population and consequently the expansion of many settlements. The Middle Iron Age, from the fifth to eight century AD, is characterised by war and the establishment to forts and increasingly frequent clashes with external forces.

Bronze Age

The bronze age in Estonia was characterised by the presence of settlements fortified by either stone or timber walls. Bronze items were a valuable commodity due to the lack of a local mineral resource and thus had to be imported. However the inhabitants knew how to recast and work bronze artifacts so items such as spearheads and jewellery were made. Cattle breeding was the main source of subsistence although hunting and fishing continued to contribute additional food. The culture at that time is known as the Asva culture, named after the fortified settlement on Saaremaa. On Saaremaa seal hunting provided a considerable source of meat, skins and fat for lighting.

The later bronze age saw the development of trade with Sweden, Gotland and Finland. Bronze pins, bracelets and Asva pottery were traded with these neighbours

Late Ancient Period

The beginning of the second millennia saw rapid growth, seeing the establishment of many villages throughout Estonia and increased co-operation between regions.

Administration

Villages were composed into 45 parishes, which most were grouped into eight regions: Virumaa, Rävala, Järva, Harju, Läänemaa, Saaremaa, Ugandi and Sakala. Four parishes, Alempois, Nurmekund, Mõhu and Vaiga

Economy

Crafts

The availability of bog iron ore lead to the development of major iron smelting centres in Virumaa and northern Saaremaa. Knives, axes, sickles and scythes were the predominant item produced at these centres. Other crafts such as bronze and silver smithing was practiced, as well as pottery

Sources

• History of Estonia 2nd Edition. Tõnu Tannberg, Ain Mäesalu, Tõnis Lukas, Mati Laur and Ago Pajur, ISBN 9985-2-0606-1, A/S BIT, Tallinn, 2002;