Hedeby, Archaeological site in Busdorf, Germany
Hedeby is an archaeological site in Busdorf, Germany, preserving the remains of a large medieval trading settlement. The semicircular earthen walls surround a wide area where several Norse-style houses have been reconstructed with wooden walls and thatched roofs.
Founded in the late 8th century, the settlement grew into a major trading hub linking western European lands with Scandinavia. The site was abandoned in the 11th century after repeated raids and destruction.
The name comes from Old Norse and roughly means settlement by the heath, referring to its position between the inlet and low wetlands. Visitors can walk through reconstructed timber dwellings that show how artisans once lived and worked, weaving cloth or forging metal inside simple wooden structures.
The museum next to the site displays objects such as tools, weapons and everyday items excavated since the early 20th century. The open-air area with earthworks and reconstructed buildings can be explored on foot.
An Arab chronicler named Al-Tartushi visited the settlement in the 10th century and wrote about the customs and trading habits of its Norse inhabitants. His accounts are among the few written records of life along the Schlei during that period.
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