Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Contact    |    RSS icon Twitter icon Facebook icon  
Unexplained Mysteries
You are viewing: Home > News > Archaeology & History > News story
Welcome Guest ( Login or Register )  
All ▾
Search Submit

Archaeology & History

What did the Vikings really look like ?

By T.K. Randall
August 12, 2012 · Comment icon 18 comments

Image Credit: Jason Vanderhill
How true to the stereotypical Viking were the actual Nordic warriors of Scandinavian ancestry ?
Vikings in films and comics are often depicted as rough, unkempt warriors specializing in unparalleled physical strength and brutality. In truth however the accuracy of the stereotypical Viking leaves a lot to be desired. Far from being uncivilized and dirty the Vikings are thought to have been meticulous about cleanliness, sporting well groomed hair and beards.

Another common misconception is that the Vikings wore horned helmets, but in reality such helmets would have been unpractical during a fight. It wasn't until Vikings wearing horned helmets were featured in a 19th century Wagner opera that this stereotypical headgear became commonplace in depictions of our Scandinavian ancestors.
Researchers can make estimates about a Viking’s social standing based on the weapons he brought to his grave. Small axes and knives were tools for everyone, but only the elite could afford lances and swords.


Source: Science Nordic | Comments (18)




Other news and articles
Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #9 Posted by Simbi Laveau 12 years ago
Comment icon #10 Posted by The Mule 12 years ago
What I want to know is why the Vikings in the American Express commercials speak with British Accents....
Comment icon #11 Posted by CRIPTIC CHAMELEON 12 years ago
What I want to know is why the Vikings in the American Express commercials speak with British Accents.... Funny you should say that in the film they have american accents. lol
Comment icon #12 Posted by terrible 12 years ago
Truth is always the first fact to disappear.
Comment icon #13 Posted by Valkyria 12 years ago
I'm just grateful that Vikings are my ancestors and that we share a bloodline. Well the Swede and Dane Vikings :-) It gives me something to tell my future grandkids.
Comment icon #14 Posted by csspwns 12 years ago
i'll kill yur men and take yur women mwahahaha!
Comment icon #15 Posted by Anthropus 12 years ago
They were actualy Pirates!May be clean Pirates!
Comment icon #16 Posted by praetorian-legio XIII 12 years ago
Hey Mule, I think your referring to the american express Goths, which is even weirder as the goths were a germanic tribe.
Comment icon #17 Posted by wolfknight 12 years ago
The Viking were also some of the greatest explorers in their time. The did alot of trading with another cultures.
Comment icon #18 Posted by Ryegrog 12 years ago
Did the Vikings actually discover America first rather then Columbus? I thought Leif Erickson landed in Nova Scotia.


Please Login or Register to post a comment.


Our new book is out now!
Book cover

The Unexplained Mysteries
Book of Weird News

 AVAILABLE NOW 

Take a walk on the weird side with this compilation of some of the weirdest stories ever to grace the pages of a newspaper.

Click here to learn more

We need your help!
Patreon logo

Support us on Patreon

 BONUS CONTENT 

For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can gain access to a wide range of exclusive perks including our popular 'Lost Ghost Stories' series.

Click here to learn more

Recent news and articles