What did the cities of kiev and Novgorod begin as?

Kiev and Novgorod began as important trade centers in Eastern Europe during the early medieval period. Kiev, established along the Dnieper River, became a key hub for trade routes connecting the Baltic and Black Seas, while Novgorod emerged as a vital trading post in the northern regions. Both cities were integral to the formation of early Slavic states and played significant roles in the cultural and political development of the region.