Trading places: Quentovic and Dorestad reassessed
Simon Coupland
In any list of Carolingian emporia, Quentovic and Dorestad feature prominently, yet the numismatic evidence reveals a complete contrast between two. late eighth early ninth centuries, contrary to popular belief, was very little economic significance. At same time, booming, reaching peak its prosperity around 820. Only thirty years later, situation dramatically reversed: rapidly declined disappeared, while enjoyed remarkable renaissance. This challenges current theory that emporia disappeared in mid-ninth century, be replaced by emerging towns.
Early Medieval Europe