ABSTRACT
Grand Prince Vladimir's conversion to Orthodoxy in 988/89 was unquestionably one of the great turning points in Russian history. Excavations at a number of Rus' settlements from the Kievan era (ca. 800-1240) have uncovered fragments of amphorae used to transport wine and olive oil. There are only a few shards from the tenth century, i.e., the import of significant quantities of wine and oil to Beloozero in amphorae apparently began after Vladimir's conversion. A graffito found on an amphora from Beloozero is very similar to a graffito from an amphora discovered in Cherson. Large quantities of Byzantine wine and oil were exported to the Rus' lands adjoining the upper Dnepr, West Dvina, and Neman rivers. The wine and oil destined for the Rus' lands was collected along the northern coasts of the Black Sea. The wine merchants carried the wine and oil north from the Black Sea coast in boats and carts.
