Vikings and Violence: What Bones Reveal About Norway and Denmark
New research reveals stark differences in Viking violence between Norway and Denmark, uncovering patterns of brutal deaths, executions, and weapon use through the study of ancient bones and grave goods.
New Medieval Books: The Vikings in Poland
Drawing on a wide range of archaeological evidence, this book offers a detailed reconstruction of the Norse presence in the region of present-day Poland. It sheds new light on their material culture, religion, and interactions with both local populations and the emerging Polish state.
50 Viking Sayings That Still Hit Hard Today
Discover 50 striking sayings from Viking-Age Icelandic sagas—expressions of Norse wit, wisdom, and worldview that still resonate today.
New Medieval Books: The Galdrabók
The Galdrabók: Forbidden Icelandic Folk Magic Translated by Kári Pálsson Hyldyr ISBN: 978-1-966041-03-0 Editions and translations of two pre-modern Icelandic manuscripts related to…
The Viking Economy Explained: Barter, Hacksilver, and Coinage
Discover how the Viking economy evolved from barter and prestige goods to hacksilver and coinage, using hoards to trace changing trade practices in medieval Scandinavia.
Vikings before the Vikings Exhibition Begins Next Month in Sweden
A new exhibition at Stockholm’s Vrak – Museum of Wrecks challenges the conventional timeline of Viking history by showcasing evidence of armed Scandinavian expeditions before the traditionally accepted start of the Viking Age in 793.
To Miklagarðr and back again: Varangians return from Constantinople, with Sverrir Jakobsson
A conversation with Sverrir Jakobsson about the experiences of Northmen — especially Varangians — who traveled to Constantinople and the south and returned home with stories, swords, riches, and prestige.
Viking-Age Skulls Reveal Widespread Disease and Infections
New research using CT scans of Viking-Age skulls has revealed evidence of severe infections, osteoarthritis, and dental diseases that plagued Sweden’s medieval population. The study offers a glimpse into the hardships of Viking life, where untreated illnesses could linger for years.
Viking Burial Mound in Norway Confirmed as Man-Made Structure
Recent ground-penetrating radar surveys have confirmed that Karnilshaugen, a large mound in western Norway, is a man-made burial site, validating long-held archaeological theories.
When the Atlantic Was Full of Islands: Mythical Lands West of Medieval Europe
Discover a time when the Atlantic Ocean was thought to be dotted with mysterious islands, from the elusive Hy Brazil to Saint Brendan’s legendary paradise. These mythical lands, born of medieval imagination and storytelling, inspired explorers and shaped the Norse quest for the unknown.
50 Viking Skeletons Discovered in Denmark
Archaeologists from Museum Odense have uncovered over 50 remarkably well-preserved Viking skeletons in Åsum, a village in southern Denmark
What Do Vikings Mean to You? New Global Survey Seeks Answers
The University of Oslo’s Museum of Cultural History has launched a global study to uncover how people around the world perceive Viking warriors and the enduring legacy of the Viking Age. The Great Viking Survey invites individuals to share their thoughts on these iconic medieval figures and their influence in modern culture.
New Medieval Books: Frigg
This book explores the history of the Norse goddess Frigg, delving into her significance and role within Norse paganism.
Viking Settlers: Iceland and Faroes Compared
Discover how Viking settlers of Iceland and the Faroe Islands came from distinct Scandinavian origins, revealed by a new genetic study.
Viking Burial Ground Unearthed in Sweden
What began as a routine excavation for a Stone Age settlement has led to the discovery of a massive Viking Age burial ground in Tvååker, in southwest Sweden.
Medieval DNA Reveals Skeleton’s Link to Norse Saga
A passage in the Sverris Saga, an 800-year-old Norse account, describes a military raid in 1197 during which a body was thrown into a well at castle in Norway. Now, a new study published in iScience has brought this tale to life, as researchers have used ancient DNA to corroborate the saga and uncover details about the so-called “Well-man.”
New Medieval Books: Muslims on the Volga in the Viking Age
This collection of 19 essays delves into the 10th-century journey of Ibn Fadlan to the Rus’ and Volga Bulgarians. The essays offer an in-depth analysis of his text, shedding light on how medieval Arab perspectives shaped their understanding of the Vikings and other northern peoples.
How Did Danish Vikings Become Christian European?
The lecture presents some of the most significant archaeological finds in Denmark from the transition from the pre-Christian period into the Early Middle Ages.
Vikings and Indigenous North Americans: New Walrus DNA Study Reveals Early Arctic Encounters
New DNA research reveals that Norse Vikings ventured into the High Arctic centuries ago, meeting Indigenous Arctic peoples and navigating treacherous waters to harvest walrus ivory.
Study Reveals Norway’s Viking Society Was Far More Violent than Denmark’s
It turns out that Norway’s Viking Age was much more violent.
Viking Treasure Uncovered After 1,100 Years in Norway
Norwegian archaeologists have uncovered a significant Viking treasure buried more than 1,100 years ago in the southwest corner of the country. Four heavy silver bracelets were found hidden on a mountainside where a farm once existed.
How Weather Shaped the Vikings’ World
In a world where weather dictated nearly every aspect of life, how did the Northmen’s culture evolve in response to their harsh climate?
New Insights into Viking Age Economics from Runic Inscriptions
A recent reinterpretation of the runic inscription on the Forsa Ring offers a fresh perspective on the monetary system of the Viking Age, marking it as the oldest documented record of value in Scandinavia.
50 Viking-Age Sayings You Need to Know
Ever wondered what kinds of sayings and expressions were used in the Viking Age? The medieval sagas written in Iceland capture a wealth of intriguing phrases that offer a glimpse into Norse culture. Here, we present 50 of our favourite Viking-age sayings that reveal the wisdom and wit of the time.