The authors of the book are well-known scientists of the USSR, the GDR, Poland, Sweden, Denmark and Finland on the basis of an extensive range of written, material and archaeological sources of the VI' XII centuries trace the history of the emergence and formation of the first states among the Slavic and Scandinavian peoples. The book gives a detailed description of the economy, culture, art, customs and customs of the Slavs and Scandinavians, examines their relationships on the materials of trade and crafts, transport and military affairs, architecture and urban planning. Alekseev L. In. Polotsk land (sketches of history of Northern Belarus in IX-XIII centuries . )