In the collective imagination, the Vikings are often seen as a people united by conquest and brutality, but archaeology reveals a much more nuanced reality. Beyond their fearsome reputation, not all Viking tribes were equal when it came to violence. A close study of skeletons unearthed in Norway and Denmark reveals a stark contrast between the two societies. While some communities seemed to have cultivated a culture deeply rooted in violence, others found ways to regulate it, creating environments with radically different social dynamics.
Archaeological evidence of Viking violence
Analysis of Viking skeletons is a valuable window into the past lives of these feared warriors. By comparing human remains found in Norway and Denmark, researchers including IFLScience relays the studies, have discovered revealing clues about the violence that reigned in these two societies.
In Denmark, only 7% of skeletons show signs of death caused by physical trauma, mainly during official executions. In contrast, in Norway, one third of skeletons show healed wounds, signs of non-fatal combat, and 37% show evidence of fatal trauma, indicating a much higher prevalence of interpersonal violence.
This disparity could be attributed to deep cultural and social differences between the two regions. The Norwegian skeletons show a tendency towards direct, often violent, confrontations. In contrast, the Danes seem to have avoided resorting to violence themselves. They preferred instead to entrust the management of conflicts to other bodies, which is evidence of a more peaceful and well-structured society.
The culture of violence among Norwegians
In Norway, violence was not only more common, it also seemed to be an integral part of the social fabric. Weapons, especially swords, were much more common in Norwegian graves than in Danish ones.
In the Rogaland region of southwest Norway, there is one Viking sword for every 33 square kilometres, a figure that contrasts sharply with the Danish ratio of one sword for every 547 square kilometres.
This abundance of weapons in burials reflects a society where self-defense and individual violence played a crucial role. Runic inscriptions found in Norway reinforce this idea, showing a less stratified society than that of Denmark, where power was more centralized and violence more regulated.
The Norwegians, on the other hand, seemed to live in an environment where everyone had to defend themselves, which partly explains the frequency of injuries and violent deaths.
A striking contrast to the Danes
Unlike Norway, Viking-era Denmark appears to be a much more peaceful society. Under the reign of Harald Bluetooth, Denmark saw an increased centralization of power, marked by the construction of numerous fortresses.
This centralized power allowed authorities to control and regulate violence, reducing the need for individuals to arm and defend themselves.
Archaeological findings reveal a regulation of violence among the Danes. Fewer weapons are found in graves and fewer violent injuries are found on skeletons. This shows that the Danes tended to leave law enforcement and conflict resolution to the authorities. This approach fostered a more peaceful society compared to Norway.
These differences indicate that Viking society was not homogeneous. In fact, it consisted of distinct cultures with varying views on violence and power. Norway was characterized by a culture of individual violence, while Denmark, through the centralization of power, had managed to establish a more peaceful society.
