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TheKrivichs orKryvichs (Russian:кри́вичи,romanized:krivichi,IPA:[ˈkrʲivʲɪtɕɪ];Belarusian:крывічы́,romanized: kryvičý,IPA:[krɨvʲiˈt͡ʂɨ]) were a tribal union ofEarly East Slavs between the 6th and the 12th centuries.[1] It is suggested that originally the Krivichi were native to the area aroundPskov.[2] They migrated to the mostlyFinnic areas in the upper reaches of theVolga,Dnieper,Dvina, areas south of the lower reaches of riverVelikaya and parts of theNemanbasin.[3]
According toMax Vasmer, the name of the tribe probably stems from that of their legendary forefather Kriv.[4] The article in the encyclopediaМифы народов мира [ru] clarifies that this interpretation comes from East Slavic mythology.[5] Vasmer also mentions that the tribe was mentioned byConstantine VII Porphyrogenitus in hisDe Administrando Imperio asΚριβιτζοί, Κριβιτσηνοί.[4]
Jan Stankievič believed it was derived from the adjectivekroŭ/kryvi ("blood"), hence,kryvič would mean "blood relative".[citation needed]
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The Krivichs left many archaeological monuments, such as the remnants of agricultural settlements with traces of ironworks, jeweler's art, blacksmith's work and other handicrafts; long burial mounds of the 6th to 9th centuries with cremated bodies; burial mounds of rich warriors with weapons; sets of distinctive jewelry (bracelet-like temporal rings and glass beads made out of stretched wire). By the end of the first millennium, the Krivichs had already acquired well-developed farming and cattle-breeding. Having settled around theTrade route from the Varangians to the Greeks, the Krivichs traded with theVarangians. Their chief tribal centres wereGnezdovo,Izborsk, andPolotsk.
The Krivichs as a tribe took part inOleg's andIgor's military campaigns against the Byzantine Empire.