The value of experimental archaeology is well-known. But what about reenactment? What kind of insights may be collected? New studies of the Viking Scene offer a better understanding
Category: Vikings
Mapping the Viking Age World
By mapping historical and archaeological evidence of Viking activity c. 793 - 920, a thesis lays bare a new history of the Early Viking age’s geopolitical landscape
When Vikings Attacked Xanten in AD 864 and the Saxons Saved the Day
In the middle of the 9th century, Vikings sailed up the major European sacking and robbing monasteries. One such raid went up the river Rhine and reached Xanten in 864. The annals of Xanten provides us with a lively story
Viking Women Spinning the Yarn of History
In the Old Norse poem “Darraðarljoð” from Njál’s Saga we hear of the Valkyries—Óðin’s female warrior spirits—weaving the cloth of history and deciding the fates of men and nations. New book explores the very real and practical role of women played in the North Atlantic culture and economy
The Völva – The Norse Sorceress
Old Norse literature offers us a handful of strange and disturbing poems. One of these, the Völuspa, continues to haunt even modern-day readers by lifting the veil to a strange world where women held their own. A new book out in May explores this world in depth
Horses and dogs accompanied the Vikings on their raids to England in the 9th century.
Strontium analyses of cremated remains of a Viking and his hound and horse demonstrate he arrived from Norway or Sweden accompanied by his animals.
What to do with the Vikings?
A review of two major new Viking exhibitions in Stockholm and Copenhagen, raises the question of how to impart knowledge of the Viking Age to the interested public.
Hnefatafl – the Game the Vikings played.
In the 7th century, Norwegians on the west coast of Norway exported game pieces made of whalebone to the royal court at Uppsala in East Sweden. Likely, the game they played was a version of Hnefetafl
The story of Viking–Age Ribe
New book tells the story of Viking–Age Ribe – A Northern Emporium AD 700 – 900
Black Grave in Chernaya Mogila in Ukraine
A magnificent Viking burial took place at Chernihiv more than a thousand years ago. Recent studies of the find in the tomb has uncovered an extraordinary new “Viking artefact”
Vladimir the Great (958-1015)
Vladimir the Great is remembered as the founding father of the Kievan Rus'. a succesful viking warrior, he lost his barbarian aura in later chronicles.
Rus – Vikings in the East
Spectacular exhibition showcasing the history of Medieval Ukraine, the Kyivan Rus' is currently on show in Århus, Denmark
Hervor – the Real Story about the Female Viking Warrior from Birka
In 1878, archaeologists excavated the rich grave of a Viking warrior in Birka from the 10th century. In 2017, however, the dead person was identified by DNA as a woman. In a new book, Nancy Marie Brown imagines her life
Viking Exhibitions in Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo in 2021
REVIEW: Last year, Oslo opened its doors to a new permanent Viking exhibition. June 2021, Stockholm and Copenhagen followed.
The Golden Treasure of Harold Bluetooth
New book may read like a fabled Viking detective story. In fact, the book presents us with a whole new, well-researched and compelling history of the events during the reign of Harold Bluetooth in the 10th century.
The Baptism of Harold Bluetooth, the Ordeal of Poppo and a New Source
A new source - Avico's Annals - tells a very different story about the famous conversion and baptism of Harold Bluetooth in the 960s