Researchers have discovered that violence in Viking Age Norway was more common than in Denmark. This goes against what many previously thought.
The study, led by David Jacobson, a sociologist from the University of South Florida, found that people in Norway experienced more violence from others, not just from authorities. This conclusion comes from the higher number of injuries on skeletons and the large number of weapons found in Norway.
The research, published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, reveals new insights into how life in Norway and Denmark differed during the Viking Age, especially in terms of violence and social structures.
Violence in Viking Age Norway and Denmark and differences
Jacobson is working with a team of experts from Norway and Germany to uncover the differences in violence between Viking Age Norway and Denmark.
This team used a mix of archaeology, sociology, and the study of skeletons and runestones—stones with ancient inscriptions—to explore how violence, social hierarchies, and authority shaped life in these regions.
Jacobson noted that their approach, combining different fields of study, allows researchers to uncover social and political patterns even when written records are scarce.
#USF sociologist David Jacobson reveals that Viking Age societies in Norway experienced significantly more violence than those in Denmark.
This research sheds new light on how social structures influenced these patterns of violence, highlighting key differences between the two… pic.twitter.com/JSbiQ0W9p0
— University of South Florida (@USouthFlorida) August 28, 2024
Researchers examined skeletons from Viking Age Norway and Denmark and found that 33 percent of the Norwegian remains had healed injuries, suggesting that violence was a regular part of life. Additionally, 37 percent of the Norwegian skeletons showed signs of fatal wounds, pointing to the frequent and deadly use of weapons in the region.
One striking finding in Norway was the frequent discovery of weapons, especially swords, buried with skeletons in graves. The study uncovered over 3,000 swords from the Late Iron Age and Viking periods in Norway, while Denmark had only a few dozen.
This suggests that weapons were deeply tied to Norwegian Viking identity and social status, further highlighting the strong link between their culture and violence.
Danish skeletons had fewer weapon injuries
Denmark told a different story. Society there was more structured, with clear ranks and strong leadership. Instead of personal fights, violence was usually tied to official punishments.
For example, Danish skeletons had fewer weapon injuries. However, they did show signs of executions, such as beheadings. The findings suggest that about six percent of Viking Danes died from violence, mostly due to executions rather than personal conflicts.
Denmark’s society, being more organized, had fewer graves with weapons compared to Norway. Instead of relying on personal arms, social order was maintained through political power and control.
This was evident in the large earthworks and fortifications built during that time. These massive structures, especially those constructed under King Harald Bluetooth in the 10th century, showed Denmark’s ability to coordinate large-scale projects and maintain a well-organized social structure.
