Viking families lived in long rectangular wooden buildings called longhouses that housed multiple families. Longhouses had a central firepit used for cooking and warmth, with space around it for sitting, sleeping, and activities. They had thatched roofs and stone foundations, with light coming from the fire, roof opening, and door. Poorer families sometimes lived with their animals indoors. Longhouses were clustered together for protection.

1. Viking Longhouses

2. • Most Viking families lived in a one-roomed longhouse, with
the whole family sleeping, eating and working in one place.
• Multiple families lived in these Longhouses
• The family longhouse was where Vikings spent most of
their time. There was space for sitting, sleeping, cooking
and for leisure activities such as story-telling around the
fire.
• Viking homes were long rectangular buildings

3. How it was built
• Longhouses were usually made of wood with
stone footings as a base.
• The roof was usually made from turf, which
could be replaced periodically.
• The roof of the longhouse had a hole, through
which smoke from the central fire, which was
used for cooking and as a source of heat,
could escape

4. Life in the Longhouse
• The main living area of the longhouse was around
the fire.
• Around the outside of the room were benches,
covered in animal fur or skin, to provide extra
warmth and comfort.
• The only light came from the door, roof opening
and the fire.
• The poorest families shared their living quarters
with the family’s animals.

5. Outside the Longhouse
• Most families had access to at least a small
yard, where animals and non-perishable
belongings could be kept
• The majority of longhouses were grouped
together, probably to provide protection in an
uncertain and often violent age.