Yr 8 Introduction to the Vikings and Scandinavian Geography

1. Who were The Vikings?

2. What does “Viking” mean?

3. What does “Viking” mean?
• “Viking” appears on rune stones in Old Norse
• Used to describe an activity – going on a
commercial trip or raid.
• You would go on a “viking”
• The Vikings called themselves “Norraener
menn” (Norse men)

4. How do we know about The Vikings?
• Viking era 793 CE-1066 CE
• About 300 years
• Very few Viking era documents exist
• So we rely on:
• The accounts of the Vikings’ victims
• Archaeological evidence
• Later writers
• Sagas
• What are the problems with these sources?

5. Who were the Vikings?
• Farmers first and foremost
• Craftsmen
• Raiders
• Religious people
• Traders
• Timber
• furs
• walrus ivory
• amber
• slaves

6. Where did Vikings live?
• Most Vikings lived in family groups on
farms
• How suitable was the land for farming?
• Climate – seasons – very cold, long winter
• Geography – see map
• Soils
• Why did most Vikings live in the south?