Unhierarchical and hierarchical core‐periphery relations:north Fennoscandian trade network from the Middle Ages to the post‐sixteenth century

• Main Authors: Kuusela, J.-M. (Jari-Matti), Nurmi, R. (Risto), Hakamäki, V. (Ville)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: John Wiley & Sons 2018
• Subjects: medieval archaeology; northern Fennoscandian trade network; world‐systems analysis; Fennoscandia; Fennoscandian
• Online Access: http://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi-fe2018112248854

Abstract This article studies the medieval northern Fennoscandian trade network utilizing a macro‐scale perspective—namely, the world‐systems analysis—while still maintaining a decidedly local approach to the analysis. It is argued that local factors, formed of a synergy between social and natural components, created a situation where the trade network of northern Fennoscandia remained an unhierarchical peer network despite a seeming power asymmetry between the participants. This study demonstrates how a local analysis is always important even—and especially—when utilizing a macro‐scale perspective, as assumptions (for example, pertaining to power asymmetries) may lead to misconceptions of the social forces in play within a social network.