There is no question that knowledge about the history and stages of early Jewish settlement in East Central Europe, and about the number of Jews in the region at various times, is important for many reasons. While these topics have not been neglected, new data, and novel (as well as not so novel) methodologies, can add to our knowledge. Certainly, additional sources, when found, will make it possible to refine the historical picture – but there is already enough information to provide a reasonably clear outline
