The Viking population in Norway had a significantly higher likelihood of dying from violence compared to their counterparts in Denmark. Viking skeletons in Norway show a greater propensity for fatal signs of violence than those found in Denmark, possibly due to the less stratified society in Norway.
A new analysis reveals that Vikings living in what is now Norway were far more likely to suffer brutal deaths than those in Denmark. These findings surprised the research team, as the rates of violence during the Viking Age in Norway and Denmark had long been considered equivalent, the researchers noted.
In this study, the team compared two groups of Viking skeletons: 30 from Norway and 82 from Denmark. They found that “11 out of the 30 individuals studied in Norway (37%) suffered violent deaths, all of whom were attacked with edged and/or pointed weapons,” the team wrote in a study published in the September issue of the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology.
In contrast, in Denmark, only six individuals (approximately 7%) experienced violent deaths, many of whom were executed by hanging or beheading.
A Viking skull showing signs of blunt force trauma to the forehead. (Photo: Lisa Mariann Strand)
Dying in Conflicts?
To understand why so many Vikings in Norway faced more violent deaths, the research team delved into archaeological and historical records from that time in both Norway and Denmark. The skeletons sourced from across Norway did not include examples from the far northern regions. Many skeletons from Denmark originated from the eastern or central areas of the country. The dating of the skeletons ranges from the 6th to the 11th century. While the precise timeframe of the Viking Age is debated among scholars, it is often identified as around 800-1050, meaning some of the skeletons used in the study predate the Viking Age.
Historical and archaeological records indicate that Vikings killed in raids were buried in the lands they attacked and were not brought back to their homeland, suggesting that the skeletons in these collections may not have been killed in foreign raids but rather at home.
The research team discovered that Vikings in Norway were much more likely to be buried with weapons compared to those in Denmark.
The researchers stated, “A notable feature in Norway is the presence of weapons, particularly swords, alongside the skeletons in graves. The study identified over 3,000 swords from the Late Iron Age and the Viking Age in Norway, with only a few dozen swords found in Denmark. These findings highlight the importance of weapons in the identity and social status of Norwegian Vikings – further emphasizing this culture’s connection to violence.”
Behind the Damaged Skull
The research team also noted that during the Viking Age, governance in what is now Denmark appeared to be more centralized than in Norway. Viking Age fortifications in Denmark were larger and more complex than those in Norway, the researchers remarked, suggesting that the governance was able to mobilize more people and resources to build them compared to the governance in Norway.
Additionally, the researchers examined inscribed stone monuments in both Norway and Denmark. They found that the stones in Denmark exhibited more evidence of social hierarchy, such as the use of titles.
The research team proposed that the more centralized governance in Denmark may have been more successful in curbing violence, and that the violence that did occur was likely to be executions carried out by the authorities.
