A skull displaying blunt force trauma with radiating lines.Credit: Lisa Mariann Strand
Posted on 09/04/2024 8:21:08 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Their findings show that interpersonal violence—violence not meted out as punishment by authorities—was much more common in Norway. This is evident in the much greater rates of trauma on skeletons and the extent of weaponry in Norway. The study, published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, sheds new light on how Viking Age societies in Norway and Denmark differed in their experiences with violence and the role social structures played in shaping those patterns...
Researchers analyzed skeletal remains from Viking Age Norway and Denmark and found that 33% of the Norwegian skeletons showed healed injuries, indicating that violent encounters weren't uncommon. By comparison, 37% of the skeletons showed signs of lethal trauma, highlighting the frequent and often fatal use of weapons in Norway.
A notable feature in Norway was the presence of weapons, particularly swords, alongside skeletons in graves. The study identified more than 3,000 swords from the Late Iron Age and Viking periods in Norway, with just a few dozen in Denmark. These findings suggest weapons played a significant role in Norwegian Viking identity and social status—further emphasizing the culture's connection to violence.
In Denmark, the findings show a different pattern. Danish society was more centralized, with clearer social hierarchies and stronger central authority. Violence was more organized and controlled, often linked to official executions rather than acts of personal violence.
For example, skeletal remains in Denmark showed fewer signs of weapon-related injuries but included evidence of executions such as decapitations. Skeletal evidence suggests about 6% of Viking Danes died violently, almost all from executions...
...monumental structures, particularly during the reign of King Harald Bluetooth in the 10th century, demonstrated Denmark's greater capacity for coordinated labor and more organized social hierarchies.
(Excerpt) Read more at phys.org ...
A skull displaying blunt force trauma with radiating lines.Credit: Lisa Mariann Strand
"Valhalla I Am Coming!"
"Unique Iron- and Viking-age mortuary houses unearthed in Norway, August 26, 2024" -- Artist's interpretation of one of the Skeiet mortuary houses. The burial mound is indicated by the conjectured lines.Credit: Sauvage and Macphail 2024; illustration by Arkikon, NTNU University Museum
Hence the expression, Norway or the highway.
Okay, that one needs much more work.
Well, according to Christian historians, the Danes are the tribe of Dan, so I guess this makes sense.
It’s all that lutefisk they eat...............
If only the Norwegians had common sense sword control!
An article where the conclusion is that we need more government and the government needs more power.
No thanks.
Yes, It is all true! In this picture of local Seattle area celebrities... the Norwegian is the one carrying a weapon of mass destruction.
That seems to reflect what the people of the UK and their colonies were always taught. It was alawys about the “Norse” not the Danes.
Where our friendly crew's always ready to address any lapse in service.
Norway is a mountainous country with deep valleys and fjords carved by glaciers. This geography of isolated valleys meant every valley was a kingdom or a tribe which means a lot of fighting. Denmark and Sweden are mostly flat.
That's probably about what we need, unfortunately.
Many years ago I read a study of Merovingian cemeteries in France: the author concluded that homicide was the principal cause of death among males 15 - 30.
“Immigrant Song”
covered by The Cybertronic Spree
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcjiYn3xXMg
mark
The terrain was harsh and sunlight was scarce. Long nights in the winter and bitter cold. The main foods were fish and reindeer. If you ran out of food the choice would be starve or raid a neighboring village. Violence would have a distinct survival advantage. I don’t know why the people who write this stuff are so surprised by it.
Now, now, no fair using common sense.....
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