Kulkureitit

Kulkureitit is a term used in archaeology to describe a hypothesized network of long-distance travel routes that connected coastal, riverine, and inland zones in northern Europe during the Bronze Age and early Iron Age. The name derives from Finnish kulkureitti, meaning "travel routes."

The concept emerged in late 20th‑century scholarship as researchers observed recurring clusters of artifact types, metal sources, and settlement locations along narrow corridors that cut across the landscape rather than along single settlements. Proponents argue that these corridors reflect systematic mobility and exchange, rather than purely local trade.

Geographic scope and corridors: The proposed network centers on the Baltic littoral and adjacent inland plains, with principal routes following major rivers such as the Daugava and Neva and aligned to coastlines, river mouths, and fordable passes. The network is thought to include both major arterial routes and secondary sidings that connected resource zones to production sites and settlements.

Evidence and methods: Support comes from the distribution of pottery styles, lithic assemblages, and isotopic analyses of metals, as well as palaeoenvironmental data. Researchers apply geographic information systems and network analysis to identify plausible routes and assess their connectivity, using landscape features and settlement patterns as corroborating lines of evidence.

Interpretation and debates: Kulkureitit is seen as a framework for exchange and mobility that linked communities over large distances, possibly reflecting seasonal circuits or centralized exchange systems. Some scholars emphasize local variation and question whether the patterns indicate deliberate, large-scale planning or emerge from multiple overlapping local networks.

See also: Trade routes, Bronze Age Europe, Baltic archaeology.