Resultat
Very good, you know a lot about the Viking Age!
Oh no, it seems you need to study some more.
#1. What is the most common material used for the Gotlandic picture stones?
Limestone!
The Gotlandic picture stones were erected from the 5th century to the 12th century and are unique in the world.
#2. What is an ear pick?
An ear pick or ear spoon is a type of Viking Era tool used to scoop out earwax.
#3. What is the place inhabited by humans called in Norse mythology?
The world of the humans is called Midgard and it is a part of the world tree Yggdrasil.
The image shows a Viking Age pendant depicting Yggdrasil.
#4. What is a brooch of this kind called?
The brooch is called a ”Vendel Crow” – even though the bird depicted is actually an eagle!
#5. Who wore animal-head-shaped brooches in the Viking Age?
The animal-head-shaped brooches are unique to Gotland and were worn by the Gotlandic women. The brooches were often used in pairs to attach the suspenders to a suspender skirt.
#6. What is the runic alphabet used by the Vikings called?
The Younger Futhark!
It consists of 16 runes and was in use during the Viking Age and early Middle Ages.
#7. What were the Viking Age ”hamnskiftare” capable of?
”Hamnskifte” was the ability of the gods and certain magically skilled humans to transform into other beings – often animals.
A ”hamn” (port) was a form in which the soul could manifest itself in dreams or ecstatic states. According to Norse mythology, the soul could travel between the body and different forms through port-shifting, as when Freya transformed herself into a falcon and could look into other worlds.
#8. What is the name of the squirrel that runs up and down the sacred tree Yggdrasil?
The squirrel Ratatoskr darts up and down the trunk of the world tree Yggdrasil with news and information.
Above all, Ratatoskr conveys messages between two archenemies: the eagle Räsvälg, who sits at the top of the tree, and the dragon Nidhögg, who gnaws at the tree’s roots.
#9. When was the image of the Viking as a brusque, ill-tempered and bearded man invented?
The Viking Age got its name and its archaeological time period in the 19th century, when history was divided into periods. The Viking’s history is therefore in many ways an account of the 19th century masculinity ideal. Nationalism grew, and a model for the contemporary man would be created. The result was ‘The Viking’ – a role model for the perfect Swedish man; enterprising, brave, strong and adventurous.
With this portrayal of the Viking Age, much of history was cast aside.
#10. What was a ”völva”?
The ”völva” was a seeress who could see into the future. The ability to soothsay was given to the völva by Freya and the role was passed down from mother to daughter.
As her tool, the völva had a staff, often with a metal seed pod.
