Tagged: vikings

The first excavation of a Viking ship in 100 years is underway in Norway. In a statement, the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) explained that the Museum of Cultural History at the University of Oslo is responsible for the excavation. The so-called Gjellestad...

Archaeologists have discovered an ancient Viking drinking hall on a remote island in the Scottish Orkney archipelago. The large Norse Hall was uncovered at Westness on the island of Rousay. Dating to sometime between the 10th and 12th centuries, the hall was discovered below the...

Icelandic Viking warriors known as ‘berserkers’ (in Old Norse: ‘berserkr’) were feared by enemies and even their battle companions. These warriors – half-naked and covered in furs – entered into combat in trance, possessed by hatred and blind fury, even without armor or protection. The...

– Scientists specializing in experimental archaeology have studied ancient Viking battle techniques and discovered a completely new fighting style. The results are startling as they show Vikings used their shields much more than previously thought. Thought the Viking shields were constructed for defense purposes, it...

– Historical studies of Icelandic Sagas reveal Vikings had dark humor and joked even during deadly battles. It was a mixture of sarcasm, irony and unusual jokes. The Vikings approach was that, if you knew you were going to die, why not do it laughing....

– Vallø Borgring”, a unique circular Viking Age fortress in Denmark is still an unsolved chapter in the Viking history. Archaeologists have for many years excavated at the site trying to get a better understanding of what exactly took place at Borgring. We know that...

Erik Haraldsson (885 – 954), nicknamed Eric Bloodaxe was a 10th-century Norwegian ruler. He is thought to have had short-lived terms as King of Norway and twice as King of Northumbria (c. 947–948 and 952–954). Erik Bloodaxe (“Blodyxa”) was the oldest son of Harald (c.860...