From Near and Far

In Carolingian times, Mainz developed into an economic centre, especially for long-distance trade. The city was considered an important meeting and transportation hub for travellers from north and south, east and west. The navigable rivers, the old Roman roads and the ability to cross the Rhine played a significant role in this. An extensive, densely built-up merchants' quarter developed on the banks of the Rhine in front of the city wall, where Frisian long-distance traders also settle. Long, narrow plots extended from the city walls to the Rhine. Harbor jetties were built for ships. A large number of small finds and brooches from the shore settlement are a testament to local production and in-store sales. Clay shards of vessels from Badorf in the Rhineland and Mayen in the Eifel indicate transregional trade.