SETTLEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND POWER STRUCTURES IN THE LATE IRON AGE HARJU DISTRICT

Abstract

The concluding chapter provides an overview of the emergence and development of power structures in Harju district during the Late Iron Age. Based on archaeological evidence and written sources, two typical fort districts are distinguished at the end of the Iron Age, one with its centre in Keava and the other at Lohu. There was a third fort district west of them, with the centre in Varbola, but the latter differed from the common hill forts, being most probably an early urban centre. In the crusades of the early 13th century Varbola pursued an independent policy to ensure its freedom and peace for trading. The fourth province was in the north-eastern part of Harju, with its centre presumably located in Paunküla; the latter, however, lacked a fort as its base. 1 This study was supported by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (Center of Excellence CECT), the target financed theme No. SF0180150s08, and by the research grants from the Estonian Science Foundation (Nos 4563 and 6451).