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skulls

The Viking Women With Intentionally Reshaped Skulls

Scientists posit how and why the ladies achieved the cone-head look.
Meg St-Esprit April 15, 2024
Hugin Longship
Cliffsend, England

Hugin Longship

This longship was a gift to commemorate the 1500th anniversary of the Anglo-Saxons arrival in England.
Gudrid the Far-Traveled even walked to Rome.
vikings

The First Viking Woman to Sail to America Was a Legendary Traveler

Back when the Icelanders called a part of Canada the “land of grapes.”
Frank Jacobs, Big Think February 9, 2024
Maldon, England

Statue of Byrhtnoth

This statue commemorates one of medieval England’s most courageous heroes.
The Yule Cat (or Jólakötturinn) serves as a warning for children to not misbehave, much like the threat of coal for naughty children on Christmas.
vikings

Beware the Yule Cat, Iceland’s Child-Eating Christmas Monster

But if you’re wearing new clothes, you have nothing to fear from Jólakötturinn.
Suzie Dundas December 22, 2023
Isle of Skye, Scotland

Caisteal Maol

This ruined castle is said to be the legendary keep of a Viking princess.
Camp Century trench construction in 1960. Caption reads "Metal arch forms being emplaced over undercut trench."
science

Wonder Is Everywhere: Viking Hoaxes, a Secret Nuclear Ice Base, and More From Around the Web

Get a peek into what we’re obsessed with right now.
April White November 22, 2023
In this 1873 watercolor, artist Frank Dicksee shows Viking raiders heading for land.
pirates

The Muddled Origins of the Word ‘Viking’

The now common term wasn't used to describe medieval Scandinavians until the 19th century.
Martyn Whittock November 16, 2023
More people are mounting horse heads on poles throughout Iceland.
vikings

Impaled Horse Heads Are Appearing More and More Around Iceland

The rise of paganism in the country is reigniting a macabre ritual from the Viking Age.
Olivia Young October 25, 2023
Two Viking-style sailing ships sit in a harbor.
Tønsberg, Norway

Vikingodden

This one-of-its-kind shipyard brings the 12th-century Viking Age back to life.
The most famous Viking was actually a woman.
vikings

New Discovery Uncovers a Forgotten Viking Queen More Celebrated Than Kings

Her legacy is being restored, thanks to runestone forensics.
Charis McGowan October 18, 2023
An illustration of the ritual cremation of a 9th-century Viking leader.
vikings

Eat Like a Viking With This Bread Recipe

Cremated archaeological finds can tell us a lot about Early Medieval baking habits.
Paula Marcoux August 8, 2023
An engraving of a Viking ship.
ships

Eat Like Vikings and Other Ancient Seafarers

Options included lutefisk, porridge, and a surprisingly tasty salsa.
Diana Hubbell July 17, 2023
All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura
vikings

Puzzle Monday: The Mystery of the Missing Runes

Alex Bellos July 10, 2023
Lindisfarne, the Holy Island
Holy Island of Lindisfarne, England

Lindisfarne, the Holy Island

This tidal island, a sacred site in early English Christianity, was the target of a notable Viking invasion.
Built sometime around the sixth or seventh century, this ring fort is tucked between hills and farms in a remote corner of northwestern Ireland.
fairytales

What Is a Fairy Fort?

In Ireland, fears about disturbing the fair folk have saved thousands of these mysterious ancient structures.
Sarah Durn February 2, 2023
churches

Podcast: Urnes Stave Church

This intricately carved church is one of Norway’s great treasures of architecture.
The Podcast Team January 23, 2023
Reykjavik, many decades ago.
Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavík 871±2

The exhibition explores the Icelandic city's Viking Age history.