Category Archives: old norse blog

When Old Norse explorers reached North America, they made history. But their brief, violent encounter with its indigenous peoples shows how cultural collisions could end in chaos. Historian and Viking expert Eleanor Barraclough explains the story. When Old Norse explorers reached North America, they made history. But their brief, violent encounter with its indigenous peoplesContinue reading “A thousand years ago, the Vikings had a shock encounter with Native Americans that ended in disaster”

Swedish archaeologist calls discovery of 12th century ruins ‘something unique’By Andrea Margolis  A history buff with a metal detector recently led archaeologists to the site of a medieval monastery – all thanks to a strange symbol spotted on an old map. Arkeologerna, an archaeological organization affiliated with the Swedish government, announced the discovery this month. The remains ofContinue reading “History buff uncovers lost medieval monastery thanks to strange map symbol”

By Andrea Margolis  Archaeologists recently found an artifact-filled Viking-era burial site in Denmark — revealing treasures that once belonged to an elite family. The discovery was announced by Moesgaard Museum (MOMU), a regional Danish museum, in a June statement.  The graveyard was found in the village of Lisbjerg, located north of the major Danish cityContinue reading “Viking-era burial site with elite family treasures and gifts discovered, plus an ‘unusual casket’”

The Viking hoard was buried in around AD 900 and contains extraordinary items, including brooches, bracelets, pendants and rare relics. BY AMBARISH AWALE A remarkable rock crystal jar from the Galloway Hoard, one of the most significant Viking discoveries in the UK this century, will go on public display for the first time later thisContinue reading “Ancient Viking crystal jar buried over 1,000 years ago to go on public display in Scotland”

The Norse ravaged much of Europe for centuries. They were also cosmopolitan explorers who followed trade winds into the Far East. by Neil Price In the middle of the 9th century, in an office somewhere in the Jibāl region of what is now western Iran, a man is dictating to a scribe. It is theContinue reading “Vikings on the Silk Roads”