One of the more fascinating things about reading of archaeological finds is realizing how interactive the world was even in ancient times.

By interactive I mean how different cultures knew of each other and, apparently, traded with each other.

Take this article, for example, by Colm and posted on irisharchaeology:

Hoard of Islamic Silver Coins found in Sweden

Though I highly recommend you read the story, the upshot of it is this: In upper Sweden a hoard of some 163 Islamic coins dating to the mid-10th century AD were discovered buried.

As a reader, I wondered: Is this an unusual find?  Does it prove trading between these vast distances?  My answer, from the article itself:

The presence of Islamic coins in Sweden is not unusual and to-date nearly 70,000 have been uncovered. This reflects the extensive long distance trade routes which once existed between the Viking world and the orient.  These were mainly focused on the Volga River and saw items such as furs, slaves and leather being exported southwards, while silver coins and exotic goods returned northwards.

And now you know.