Vikings & History

The idea of Vikings covered in swirling runes and knotwork is everywhere in pop culture. As a Norwegian who grew up with sagas in school and longhouses on field trips, I get the fascination. Body art feels like it would fit the Norse world: bold, symbolic, and personal. But did Vikings actually have tattoos, or … Read more

The question pops up often, especially after watching slick TV dramas: were there any Black Vikings? To answer it properly, we need to be clear on what “Viking” actually means and how wide the Norse world stretched. As a Norwegian who grew up with sagas in school and long weekends spent at historical sites and … Read more