The Baltic Sea port and city of Klaipėda has been involved in maritime trade since as early as the 13th century, and probably during prehistoric times, since it is located on the Amber Trade Road and Baltic amber has been found in several northern European Celtic graves. The Vikings captured the region and settled in it, because would have been interested in colonizing such a place since they were a seafaring people. Over the years it developed and had become a major port by 1923.