A newly discovered grave in Western Jutland, Denmark, from the 8th century preserves some rare Viking textiles that help us better understand what the Vikings wore. Learn more about the discovery and what we already know about Viking clothing. The Jutland Discovery It is surprising that both skeletal remains and fragile organic textiles survive, as…
In most ancient cultures, we encounter ideas of magic, witchcraft, and shamanism. Norse society is no different. The Viking witch was known as a Völva. They were powerful seeresses, shamans, and practitioners of Seidr magic. They pulled on the strings of fate to speak the future and change destiny. Viking Witches Among the Vikings were…
In 2020, one of the most spectacular golden hoards of the Norse world was discovered at Vindelev in Denmark. Dating to the 5th century, it is from the period of lavish wealth just before the start of the Viking Age, also known as the Vendel Period. While the Viking era was an age of silver,…
When you look online, it is not hard to find examples of Thor’s hammer, or Mjölnir, amulets. They were popular pieces worn in the Viking Age, and they remain popular pieces of jewelry among modern-day Vikings and followers of the Norse religion. When looking at pictures, it can be difficult to determine which are genuine…
A few months ago, when a homeowner in Rebild was clearing his backyard to install a new patio, he encountered some loose clay potsherds while removing some weeds and stones. As he continued to dig, some metal artifacts that had apparently fallen out of the clay vessel emerged. He contacted the local archaeology service, and…
Marriage was an important institution in the Viking world, but also more flexible than seen in many other parts of the Medieval world. During the height of the Viking age, most free men were small landowners and needed a wife to oversee their household of extended family, workers, and slaves. For the elites, like in…
The Viking homelands were in the northern climes of Europe, where ice and snow, not to mention freezing temperatures and food scarcity, are a fact of life for several months of the year. Is it any wonder that the Vikings mastered the art of skiing and skating? The Mythology of Ice According to the Viking…
While it is not something most people think about on a daily basis, most people know that some of the English-language days of the week are named after the Norse gods. For example, Thursday is named for Thor and Friday for Freyja. But how did that come to be? It is not as simple as…
We know the Vikings had an expansive outlook and looked beyond their territory for trading, raiding, and settlement opportunities. With this and the geographic proximity of Poland to the Viking world in mind, it is surprising that Poland rarely features in English-language scholarship about the Vikings and their activities. Most accounts jump over the large…
Like most ancient cultures, the Vikings believed in the supernatural and magic. They had their pantheon of gods, led by Odin the All-Father and his son Thor. They believed in other supernatural entities such as elves and trolls, and that the spirits of the dead lived on in other worlds. They also believed that while…