Viking: Did you mean...?

Keys were a powerful symbol of control over the household goods in Viking Scandinavia. The lady of the house, known as the "husfreyja," or "goddess of the house," would always wear the keys on her belt, even taking them with her to the grave...

An artist's impression of a Viking fleet at sea. (From the PC game Total War: Thrones of Britannia by The Creative Assembly)

Decorative game pieces may have been used to play checkers or backgammon, two games known in Viking Age Scandinavia through trade with the Middle East. These pieces are made from wood and date to c. 800-1000 CE. They are Norwegian in provenance...

Sketch made by Hjalmar Stolpe, published in 1889, of the Viking Age grave found at Birka, Sweden, labelled 'Bj 581'. Buried with weapons and horses (things normally associated with warriors), this particular grave has been subject of much...

Reenactors bring childhood in the Viking Age to life, 2012. Archeon, Alphen aan den Rijn.

Bone/antler comb from Björkö, Adelsö, Uppland, Sweden. The Swedish History Museum, Stockholm.

The Vikings did not use fishing reels or poles. Instead, they tied hooks to a fishing line made from sheep, cow, or walrus intestines, then pulled the fish up by hand. On a small rowing boat out on the open ocean, this was a very dangerous...

A 10th Century CE steel sword, likely made in Scandinavia. The high quality of the pattern-welded steel blade, and beautiful decoration on the hilt, indicates that it was owned by a high status warrior. Steel blade, decorated with copper...

Gilt copper alloy oval brooch is composed of two pieces dating from the 10th century and found in Norrtälje, Sweden. The British Museum, London. The first piece is an upper shell with cast animal interlace decoration and four bird head...

A stone from Gotland depicting a Viking drinking scene. (Swedish Museum of National Antiquities, Stockholm)