During the Viking Age (A.D. 793 to 1066), Viking raided, explored and traded from what is now Canada to the Middle East.
The Vikings explored, raided and traded across a vast area stretching from North America to the Middle East between roughly the late eighth and mid-11th centuries.
The Vikings intermarried or otherwise had children with the people they encountered. This meant that some Vikings were not of entirely Scandinavian ancestry. A study published in the journal Nature in 2020 found that there was a lot of genetic diversity in coastal areas of Scandinavia. Despite the popular belief that Vikings had blond hair, the study found that many had brown hair.
The Vikings also traveled to the Middle East, reaching Constantinople and Baghdad by the 830s, John Haywood, an independent researcher, wrote in his book"Northmen: The Viking Saga, AD 793-1241 " . There was also a belief in Ragnarök, a world-ending event in which a being named Surtr would kill the gods and engulf the world in flames. In the ninth century, there was a volcanic eruption in Iceland, and the inhabitants may have believed that Ragnarök was taking place. They built a boat-shaped structure out of rock in a cave and burned animal bones, possibly in an attempt to strengthen Freyr, a Viking fertility god who fought Surtr, archaeologists found.
Viking ships"The real secret to the Vikings' success was their mobility" by sea, Haywood wrote, noting that it was faster to travel by water than on land."Viking longships had only a shallow draught so a raiding fleet could make a landing almost anywhere on the open coast or penetrate far inland on rivers," Haywood wrote. This meant the Vikings could select weak points to attack and bypass strongpoints.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
8 crucial places to see art right now on the Front RangeNew galleries, new exhibition trends. Plenty of fresh artists trying to make their mark. Here's where you can see the best art.
Read more »
Incredible Astronaut Photo of New York and New Jersey From SpaceShadows from skyscrapers and other city buildings give the photograph a 3D look. Orbiting over the Gulf of Maine, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station looked southward to capture this oblique photograph of New York City. Shadows from skyscrapers and other city buildings give the phot
Read more »
Beef and broccoli, Mexican quinoa stew and more healthy meal ideas for the week aheadNew week, new healthy meal ideas!
Read more »
Chris Rock to finally have his say in new stand-up special - New York Amsterdam NewsA year after Will Smith smacked him on the Academy Awards stage, Chris Rock is poised to finally have his say.
Read more »
VeChain (VET) Set for New Era With Latest Whitepaper Release, Here's What's NewVeChain now aims to focus on sustainability initiatives as it enters new era
Read more »
New Voices of French Cinema Tap Into Younger Audiences at Rendez-Vous Event in New YorkWhile the market for foreign-language cinema has shrank, the packed opening of the Rendez-Vous with French cinema in New York hosted by Film at Lincoln Center and Unifrance on March 1 underscored A…
Read more »