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"I think as science advances, it will become more and more evident that we have more in common with each other than any of us realized a few decades ago."

As a Norwegian American, I must say that I've been impressed with Thor's work, which I began looking at by reading 'The Ra Expedition' many years ago. That said, I'm continually amazed at the "concrete conclusions" some of these people arrive at. The fact that humanity has a commonality was impressed upon me as a small child, in Sunday school. (see the Book of Genesis)......

Anyway, I didn't realize that Thor was still alive, so I learned something new today! Good post!

This is rather interesting and quite plausible considering how many nations criss-crossed Europe and Asia over the centuries with various invasions and fleeing invasions. The only wonder would be if there some nation in Europe that DIDN'T walk over fropm somewhere else.

When I was in Budapest three years ago, I visited the display, in the national cathedral, of the crown of St. Stephen (the first Magyar king, about 900 AD). There was abundant proof that the style of the Byzantine-style icons on the crown was identical to that of the Caucasian nation of Georgia of about 400 AD, and I believe that the conclusion was that the Magyars were living in what is today the western Abkhazian province of Goergia.

"Norwegian mythology tells that the Scandinavian god Odin moved with his people to Norway from a land called Aser, in order to avoid Roman occupation."

Now there's an odd notion. What sort of god would fear a human army? And people believed in this guy? Assuming there was a historical Odin from whom the myth of the great god evolved, I bet no one believed in his deity during his lifetime, especially if his claim to fame was running away from the Romans.

I share petuniasevan's skepticism re Heyderdahl's theory. Really appreciate you posting this interesting article, though. I read Kon Tiki back when I was in elementary school (I believe). Hardly remember anything about it, but I found it thrilling then. A shame to find out it was junk science; it was an excellent story.

Ive read some of Heyerdahl's books before and have found his work controversial yet interesting.

This may have some basis, it may not. I will try and find some additional resources on this. The Gods/Goddesses in northern european tradition very many times were intimately connected to the land, so the basic idea is not completely far off course. For example Forseti represented the Friesien people of Holland, Seaxnot represented the Saxon peoples of England/central europe and Gefjon represented the peoples on the Island of Zealand/Sjaelland in Denmark.

Its extremely hard to determine the accuracy of this thesis however as even most scholars and archeologists have mixed hypotheses on the origins.

Very interesting article though, thanks for the post TQ.

It has been written by other researchers, that the Celts and Germanic people originated in this general area. The Germanics split into Northern and Southern (Scandinavian and Continental).

If his version is correct in some ways, I think his dating is to late. These people of Europe came westward earlier than 97 AD.

Perhaps ironically, while the Vikings of Denmark and Norway mainly plundered around the west coast of Europe, the Swedes went east, down the Volga River, and became guards to the royals, in the eastern orthodox lands, Black Sea area, etc. These Norsemen figured quite heavily in the history of Russia. The largest hordes of Byzantine coins ever discovered are in Sweden. So these Swedes were just making a pilgrimage to their earlier homeland!

Side comment. Another thread about Kasey Casem trumpets the Arab Americans. I submit that Scandinavians have had a HUGE impact on culture, considering their small numbers.

Consider their certain discovery of North America. Add impact upon of of Britain and Ireland. The English, Scots and Irish have very much Viking blood. The English system of government drew heavily from the Norsemen, who first arrived in 793 at Lindesfarne, England.

The "Normans" (French speaking Danes) conquered northern France and later England. They also conquered southern Italy and parts of the middle east.

The largest fraction of the English language is drawn from Continental German, followed by Old Norse, French (more like Latin at the time) and a bit of Celtic.

Today the population of Norway is but 4 million. Sweden about 9 million. Denmark about 12 or 14 million-didn't look it up.