A recent analysis of Viking Age skeletons has unearthed a startling difference in the rates of violent death between individuals who lived in present-day Norway and Denmark. The research team, surprised by the findings, revealed that the rate of violent deaths in Norway was significantly higher than previously believed.
The study compared 30 skeletons from Norway with 82 from Denmark, all dating back to the Viking Age. The results showed that 37% of the Norwegian skeletons exhibited evidence of violent deaths, primarily inflicted by bladed or pointed weapons. In contrast, only 7% of the Danish skeletons showed signs of violence, many of which were executions by hanging or decapitation.
To understand this disparity, researchers delved deeper into archaeological and historical records from both regions. The skeletons from Norway were collected from various locations across the country, excluding the far north. The Danish skeletons, however, originated primarily from the eastern and central parts of the country. The skeletons spanned from the sixth to the eleventh centuries, encompassing a period both before and during the accepted timeframe of the Viking Age (800-1050 AD).
Historical records suggest that Vikings killed in raids were typically buried in the lands they attacked, not brought home. This indicates that the skeletons analyzed were likely victims of violence within their own regions.
A key difference observed was the presence of weapons, particularly swords, alongside skeletons in Norwegian graves. The study highlighted a significant contrast in weapon usage: Norway boasted over 3,000 swords from the Late Iron Age and Viking periods, compared to just a handful in Denmark. This suggests that weapons played a crucial role in shaping Norwegian Viking identity and social status, further emphasizing their culture’s connection to violence.
The researchers also noted that during the Viking Age, the government in Denmark, known as Danmǫrk, appears to have been more centralized than in Norway. Viking Age fortifications in Denmark were larger and more elaborate than those in Norway, indicating that Danish authorities had greater resources and control over their population.
An examination of runestones in Norway and Denmark also revealed differences in social structure. The runestones in Denmark displayed more evidence of social hierarchy, including the use of titles. This suggests a more stratified society where such distinctions were considered important.
The study proposes that the more centralized government in Denmark may have been more effective in limiting violence. While violence may have still occurred, it was perhaps more often under the control of authorities.
Despite the significant sample sizes, the researchers acknowledge that the findings may not fully represent the entire Viking Age populations of Norway and Denmark. Further research is needed to draw definitive conclusions about the factors contributing to the observed differences in violence.
