Popular images of Viking warriors are often built around horned helmets, heavy fur and huge two-handed axes. The archaeological evidence suggests a different picture. This post looks at what is actually known about the protective equipment of Viking-age fighters, what has been found, and where the popular myths came from. The horned helmet myth There ….  Read More

The English names for the days of the week are a quiet reminder of the pre-Christian past. Four of them, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, are named after Germanic gods who are closely related to the gods of Norse mythology. This post explains where the names came from, how they connect to Thor and his ….  Read More

Small hammer-shaped pendants are among the most distinctive objects from the Viking age. Archaeologists have found them in graves, hoards and settlements across Scandinavia and beyond. They are usually interpreted as amulets connected to Thor. This post looks at what the finds are, where they come from, how they were made, and what they may ….  Read More