ABSTRACT
This conclusion gives some closing thoughts on key ideas discussed in the previous chapters of this book. The book engages the third approach, that of group cultures. The second part departs from the fourth approach, i.e. looking at distinct research themes, as well as the fifth, exemplary approach. In the concluding remarks the findings from the two research approaches will be summarized, drawing broader conclusions. The book discusses 'case studies', examining to what extent these 'case studies' affirm, modify or alter the conclusions concerning the group cultures. It also discusses the relevance of research into case studies for comprehensive research themes. A number of conceptual phenomena in the texts meet the eye – for example, the references to the sea, coastal shipping, the relatively high number of trade settlements – but similar phenomena occur elsewhere in Western Europe and they do not occur in the whole region examined in the book.
