The Book

carriers of haplogroup I, the emergence of the Battle Axe culture in Scandinavia is characterized by the
appearance of new lineages such as haplogroup R1a and haplogroup R1b.[41] The Proto-Germanic
language is ultimately thought to have emerged from the Battle Axe culture, possibly through its
superimposition upon the earlier megalithic cultures of the area.[42] The Germanic tribal societies of
Scandinavia were thereafter surprisingly stable for thousands of years.[43]

Scandinavia is considered the only area in Europe where the Bronze Age was significantly delayed for a
whole region.[44] The period was nevertheless characterized by the independent development of new
technologies, with the peoples of southern Scandinavia developing a culture with its own characteristics,
indicating the emergence of a common cultural heritage.[44] When bronze was finally introduced, its
importance was rapidly established, leading to the emergence of the Nordic Bronze Age.[44] The Nordic
Bronze Age is closely genetically related to the Beaker and Unetice cultures of Continental Europe, and
even the Sintashta and Andronovo cultures of the Eurasian Steppe, with whom it also shares numerous
cultural characteristics.[45]

Stone slab from The King's Grave in southern Sweden, Nordic
Bronze Age, 1400 BC

Ancient history

See also: Iron Age Scandinavia

The gilded side of the Trundholm Sun Chariot, Nordic Bronze Age

During the Iron Age the peoples of Scandinavia were engaged in the export of slaves and amber to
the Roman Empire, receiving prestige goods in return. This is attested by artifacts of gold and silver that
have been found at rich burials from the period. North Germanic tribes, chiefly Swedes, were probably
engaged as middlemen in the slave trade along the Baltic coast between Balts and Slavs and the Roman
Empire. The North Germanic tribes at the time were skilled metal and leather workers, which
supplemented their trade in iron and amber.[43][46] In his book Germania, the Roman
historian Tacitus mentions the Swedes (Suiones) as being governed by powerful rulers and excelling at