Vikingology Podcast

The Art and Science of the Viking Age

Terri and C.J. are first and foremost educators passionate about the Viking Age and Viking history. Theirs was a meeting foretold in the myths of old. Both are historians of Viking history, both live in Oregon in the U.S., and both share the same birthday. It seemed only natural they team up for something epic. The Norns have woven this fate.

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Friday · 1 hr 24 min
Denmark’s Viking Age Ring Fortresses
We are thrilled to welcome Søren Sindbæk back to the show! Last time we talked about the many things that make vikings human, and this time we sort of continued that thread with our discussion about the large and impressive ring fortresses that dot the Danish landscape. How could Viking Age Scandinavians have pulled off such monumental feats? Turns out their ability to muster human and natural resources and build such things was also a very human endeavor. Søren is writing a pentalogy about the fortresses, one book for each of them that has been discovered so far. Two of the books are available now in English translation, four are in Danish, with a fifth to come; all of them will eventually be in both languages and hopefully in many more. They are compact books that are very accessible to the average person interested in the history and/or archaeology of the Viking Age. Each provides a unique glimpse into the characters who unearthed the fortresses, including Søren himself, as they try to unravel the mysteries of how they were built and for what purpose. They’re like mini crime mysteries, but we also think these stories seem primed for the big screen or streaming video! We learned so much and look forward to the next book installments. Mange tak, Søren! Please come back again and fill us in as this story unfolds. Vikingology is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support our show, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
August 7 · 1 hr 31 min
The Vikings in Francia
Our regular listeners and viewers will know that we have been chasing vikings in the Frankish Empire for a while on Vikingology. C.J., as a Frenchman, has researched them extensively, Matt Ponesse who specializes in the monasteries they raided in France was one of our very first guests, and Christian Cooijmans has also weighed in about early viking activity in the Frankish realm. But that’s about it! Scholars who delve deeply into the vikings in what is now France and Germany are a bit thin on the ground. Luckily, we have one in our own backyard! Daniel Melleno is a historian of the medieval and pre-modern periods at the University of Denver. He has researched and published a lot on the Norse and their activities in what was then the Carolingian Empire, as well as the Frankish area even before the Carolingians showed up. He is the author of Franks and Northmen: From Strangers to Neighbors which explores the interactions between the Scandinavians and their Continental neighbors to the south. Raiding and pillaging? Yes. But their contact involved so much more. We talked about the different regions and ways that vikings affected (or didn’t) the Franks as well as the problems and considerations that historians must contend with regarding our sources. A really fascinating chat about a subject that needs much more attention in Viking Studies. Thanks Daniel! We could have talked to you for hours. Please come back again and tell us more! Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
July 1 · 1 hr 5 min
Treasures of the Vikings
In the spirit of the World Cup, we have a Vikingology hat trick! We happily welcome Tom Horne back to the show for a third time. He’s now in contention with Clare Downham for our Golden Boot, er, shall we say Golden Mead Horn? This time we were excited to hear about Tom’s new book Treasures of the Vikings. This superbly visual book is just what you might expect — or at least hope for — in something written by an archaeologist who also has experience in museum work and other forms of presenting the past to general audiences. If you can’t get to the museums to see these artefacts yourself, this book is the next best thing. The contents span the breadth of the viking presence in their world from north to south, east to west, and cover aspects of their lives from childhood to death and everything in between. What it reveals is an unbelievably resilient and adaptable people — and it also reminds us they were human. Thanks again Tom. We always always have fun with you! Please come back again soon. Check Tom out on his various social media platforms and buy the book! Instagram @tomhorne870 Blue Sky @hornesupremacy.bsky.social Tom’s personal website Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
June 25 · 1 hr 2 min
Viking Logistics
The logistics of what it took to be a good (read: successful) viking are only coming into view in recent years for historians and archaeologists. And what we see is that it didn’t matter if it was how to haul your ship from point A to point B over land or choosing which targets to hit for raids, the level of efficient planning and risk/reward calculation is looking to be much more sophisticated than the standard barbarian warrior trope might allow. Vikings, it appears, were savvy businessmen. In a wide-ranging chat, we talked with Shane McLeod, post-doc research associate at the University of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland, about this and his research on portaging ships in Viking Age Scotland as well as his work on kings and the late-9th century invasion and settlement in England by the ‘Great Army’ of Scandinavian warriors (and, tbh, probably others). Shane’s research is part of the ‘Norse and the Sea’ project, led by Prof Alexandra Sanmark — who has also appeared on Vikingology — and Dr Sven Kalmring. His resulting article, ‘Watching the waters: sentinel sites in the Inner Hebrides and western seaboard of Scotland,’ was awarded the prestigious Murray Prize for History in 2025. You can download the full PDF of the article by clicking the link. He is also the author of the book The Beginning of Scandinavian Settlement in England: The Viking ‘Great Army’ and Early Settlers, c. 865-900, which he encourages you to find at your local library. Thanks Shane! Very interesting stuff. We hope you come back again. There’s still burials, human sacrifice, and shieldmaidens to talk about…. Vikingology is reader-supported. Thanks to everyone who reads whether free or paid. We appreciate you all. Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
April 29 · 1 hr 13 min
The Saga of the Earls of Orkney
We are so thrilled to have back on the podcast Prof Judith Jesch, one of the world’s foremost scholars of Old Norse language, literature, and runes. Last time we spoke with her we talked about vikings and their skaldic poetry, and also the years-long project she was working on — a new translation of Orkneyinga saga. Fast forward three years and The Saga of the Earls of Orkney has been completed and was just published in late 2025. It is a beautiful work that recounts the story of the leaders in the Orkney Islands off the northern tip of Scotland during the Viking Age and after, where life was rough, and power and status were coveted. While the saga admittedly has some fictional elements, there is also deep history there. As Judith notes in her introduction Yet what it may lack in accurate detail regarding rulers and their dates, it more than makes up for with the picture it paints of politics, adventure and sometimes everyday life in northern Scotland, in a way that is matched by no other source. We talked with her about the stories in the saga but also what it takes to translate such a work involving fact, fiction, and the human condition — all favorite topics to ponder here at Vikingology. If you are interested in the sagas, which constitute one of the most important surviving bodies of medieval literature there is, you’ll not want to miss this one. In the tradition of Norse storytelling during the Viking Age, Judith’s translation does an admirable job of keeping the saga alive. BONUS! If you are interested in learning more about the sagas, you can attend the free online Midland Viking Symposium mentioned in the episode, to be held on May 15, 2026. Thanks Judith! We can’t wait to see what you do next. Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
April 10 · 1 hr 10 min
The Secret Code of the Vikings
This is not your eye doctor’s vision test chart. These are runes — the secret code for unlocking the mysteries of the Anglo-Saxon and Viking worlds. And this time we are thrilled to have on the show Dr. Jasmin Higgs, a runologist from the UK who told us all about them. Jasmin specializes in the runic alphabet and inscriptions from the pre-Old English period but also has training in Old Norse inscriptions as well. As many of you will know, Old Norse was the language spoken and developed during the Viking Age in northern Europe, but runic alphabets — known as FUÞARK (futhark) from the first 6 letters — were used more widely by Germanic peoples in Europe and the UK from roughly 200 AD onward. Their origin is mysterious, contested, and essentially unknown. We learned about some interesting inscriptions — both real and fraudulent — and just how fun it is to try and decipher these alphabetical puzzles from the past. People didn’t write great works of literature in runes, but they left interesting and sometimes mundane traces of themselves in the form of inscribing objects with phrases such as ‘Bjarne made this’ and ‘Halfdan was here’. And these surviving runic inscriptions remind us just how utterly human the vikings, their ancestors, and their Germanic peers were. Thanks Jasmin. Please do come back again! We’ve got so many more questions… Skál! Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
April 6 · 1 hr 1 min
Playing in the Halls of Asgard
There is a special kind of magic that happens when a creator breathes new life into the Viking Age in new forms. For those following the Vikingology journey, we remain fascinated with how the Viking Age continues to resonate in today's world as a source of inspiration. In this latest episode, C.J. sits down with Joshua Gillingham, a true polymath within the "Norse-sphere." While many know him as the author of the Torin Ten-Trees saga or the co-creator of Old Norse for Modern Times, he has recently taken on the role of entrepreneur as the founder of Little Hammer Games. His latest project, Halls of Asgard, is set to release on Kickstarter in a campaign running from April 7 - 30, marking a major milestone in his career.What stands out most about Halls of Asgard is the core "feel" of the experience. Hand-painted art by Helena Rosova brings the semi-cooperative social strategy game to life, giving it an aesthetic that feels natural to anyone familiar with the sagas. The gods of the Norse pantheon are a family and a hird, a group trying to prevent the end of the world, yet they remain individuals driven by huge egos, private grudges, and personal ambitions. In the game, players take on the roles of Odin, Thor, or even Loki, working together to stop Hela before she takes over all of Midgard, while also making sure their personal Hall is the most impressive when the dust settles. It captures the classic Norse tension between the individual’s pursuit of fame and the community’s need for collective survival.During the conversation, we explored the philosophical underpinnings of Joshua’s design. He also shared his intriguing perspective on the issue of "leaky worlds." As both a fantasy author and a game designer, he stays aware of how modern sensibilities can seep into historical or mythological settings.For those interested in more human-made, exceptionally creative Norse projects, Joshua’s Kickstarter campaign provides an opportunity to support a creator who values authenticity as much as gameplay. Listeners are invited to take a seat in the hall and join this deep dive into the connection between ancient fate and modern gaming. Learn more about Joshua Gillingham on his website. Thanks Joshua! Skål! Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
March 27 · 1 hr 20 min
For the love of Beowulf
For centuries explorers have been searching for El Dorado, the famed ‘city of gold’. Ditto the lost city of Atlantis. Many long believed the historical city of Troy was not real until archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann proved them wrong. And now we have Hans Wanneby and Rikard Evertsson who also hope to prove the unbelievers wrong by finding the home of Beowulf, the famed warrior protagonist of the medieval poem by the same name. They believe not only was Beowulf real, but his home was on the island of Gotland just off the east coast of Sweden, and they’ve written a book about it: Home of Beowulf, just published in late 2025. We sat down with Hans and Rikard to find out about their research and decided to invite friend of the show Rowdy Geirsson along for the ride, since he too is interested in this quest and has written about the Beowulf mystery more than once, including on his own website and recently on Medievalists.net. Whether you believe the poem is a fictional account or true history, you’ll be intrigued by Hans and Rikard’s findings and dedication to finding more. We learned some interesting things about Gotland and its important role during the Migration Period and Viking Age. And a special shout out to our friend Octavia — the unofficial ambassador of Gotland — for putting us in touch! After you watch this episode, revisit our chat with her. If by the end you’re not (a) a Beowulf believer and (b) booking a flight and ferry to Gotland, then we fear you are beyond help! Skál! Vikingology Podcast is reader-supported. To support us and keep the good stuff coming, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
February 14 · 1 hr 32 min
A milestone episode with Jackson Crawford
It’s our 60th episode! And what better way to spend our Diamond Jubilee than a long-awaited chat with Old Norse scholar Dr. Jackson Crawford? Many of you will be familiar with him through his immensely popular YouTube channel, where you can experience the intersection of cowboy cool and the vikings. He has produced hundreds of videos about Old Norse, history, and the literature of the Viking Age, much of it set in a wild west backdrop. He has also done saga and poem translations, including The Poetic Edda, The Saga of the Volsungs, and Hávamál, and is currently working on a translation of The Prose Edda. We chatted with him about a lot of things, as we tend to do, but we started with the word ‘viking’ and its linguistic origins in the Old Norse words viking and víkingr. Did actual vikings use that word to describe themselves? Did it mean the same to them as it does to us? Was it seen as a good thing to be a viking? Was it a full-time profession, or were they just seasonal violence workers? Watch or listen for the answers to all of that and more! Takk fyrir Jackson for spending some time with us. It was well worth the wait! Vikingology is reader-supported. To support what we do, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
January 24 · 1 hr 10 min
Myth and belief in the Viking Age and beyond
We were honored to finally chat with Carolyne Larrington, Professor and Emeritus Research Fellow of Old English and Old Norse literature at St. John’s College, Oxford. She is one of the world’s foremost experts on mythology with many many books and publications, including her most recent books The Little Book of Trolls and The Little Book of Dragons. She has also done a translation of The Poetic Edda. Since we are both historians, and C.J. is an historical fiction author to boot, we are hardwired for creating narratives about the past and storytelling in general, so we were delighted to get a chance to talk with Prof. Larrington about what stories and myths mean to us humans as a species. This took us not only to the Viking Age and Norse myths, but much farther afield into the realms of religion, modern medievalism, and the human condition in general. This was a fun and enlightening chat. We could have talked for hours! Thank you Carolyne. We hope you will visit us again in the future! Skál! Thank you to all who watch or listen to us! To further support our work, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
January 17 · 1 hr 6 min
The Art of Viking Death
This time we are excited to welcome back to the show experimental archaeologists and living history experts Kevin Alexandrowicz and Devon Rawlings of Regia Anglorum and Jarnborg Vikings. They have collaborated on a new book project that brings Viking Age death to life in a stunningly visual and visceral way. Painstakingly staged and photographed, and based on the archaeology of actual burial sites, the graves Kevin, Devon, and their team created give us a glimpse into how the Norse prepared the dead for the next life. You’ll definitely want to watch instead of listen to see some of their amazing photographs as they explain the history and interpretation behind them. Published by Hyldyr in Washington State, which has also brought to life other Norse themes such as the poems Völuspá and Hávamál, the Fuþark runic alphabets, and the Galdrabók, this new book promises to change the way we visualize death and burial in the Viking Age. It even includes introductions by friends of the show archaeologists Leszek Gardeła and Giorgia Sottotetti! If you want to see an intriguing new way to engage with the Viking Age past, please buy the book! You’ll be supporting history, archaeology, artists, and publishers all at the same time. Thanks so much Kevin and Devon for sharing your knowledge and artistry. Can’t wait to see what you do next! Skál! Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. And it you like what we do, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
Dec 11, 2025 · 1 hr 19 min
Viking Ghost Stories
The Norse during the Viking Age inhabited a world that was both utterly foreign to us and yet humanly familiar. Like us, they believed in ghosts. But maybe unlike us they believed in revenants and other supernatural creatures of all kinds. It seems their world was pretty porous when it came to the line between the living and the dead. In this episode we chatted with Irina Manea, a scholar of Norse myth and the saga literature, to get a sense of the viking mind regarding death and the afterlife. How did they deal with dead bodies? Where did they believe people went after death? Were ghosts and revenants welcomed or shunned? Were the dead scary or benevolent? Did they take steps to protect against them? And how much did the Christianization of Viking Age Scandinavia change those beliefs? It’s a fascinating topic that we hadn’t delved into much on the show. We learned a lot, including the fact that maybe an important way to keep bad spirits away is to cover your anus. To be safe, you’d better watch or listen and find out why :) Thanks Irina! We must do it again soon. You can find Irina on her Shield of Skuld newsletter right here on Substack. Do check it out. Lots of great viking content there. Skál Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
Nov 29, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min
Viking Law and Order: English Edition
Historians and archaeologists who study the vikings are constantly grappling with the question of the amount and level of influence they had on the various parts of the world they ventured into. In this episode we add legal customs to the mix with Dr. Jake Stattel, a legal historian and postdoc research fellow at Cambridge University's Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic, who is looking into this very thing — pun intended :) We talked about how legal institutions in England were changing dramatically from AD 900 to 1200 due in part to internal political developments but also to the incursion of the vikings who not only raided and traded but eventually settled there, creating a new hybrid culture based on traditional Scandinavian legal systems, in an area that came to be known as the Danelaw. Want to know the difference between customary and common law, how a person would know which laws they needed to obey when living in a hybrid world, and what happened to 13-year old thieves? Jake’s got you covered. His article Legal culture in the Danelaw: a study of III Æthelred has won several awards for its novel approach to this subject, so if you’re interested in a deeper dive, do check it out. Thanks Jake for a really interesting chat that got our wheels turning! Vikingology is reader-supported. Thanks for watching and listening! To support our work, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
Nov 7, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
It's a Saga Thing!
Four podcast hosts geeking out on the Viking Age. What could be better, right? We finally got our chance to sit down with John Sexton and Andy Pfrenger, Medieval Studies scholars who found they shared a love of the Icelandic sagas and started a podcast about it. They’ve been at it for over a decade now, bringing in-depth readings and discussion of the sagas — those tales about people living on a harsh little island in the North Atlantic during the Viking Age — which are chock full of utterly human situations and emotions that are still relatable all these centuries later. And sometimes they even put them on trial. But oddly enough, we started the conversation by talking about Beowulf and what it means to be killed in the Vikingverse. Go figure. John and Andy are leading a saga tour of Iceland in April 2026. If you are interested in tagging along, check out their website Saga Thing Tours. Space is limited so sign up early! And don’t forget to listen to their podcast. You’ll get a deep dive into the saga literature and occasionally hear an interview with top scholars and general viking enthusiasts as well. All great stuff. Thanks John and Andy! We hope we get to do it again. Skál! Vikingology is reader-supported. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber so we can continue bringing you great guests like John and Andy. Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
Oct 15, 2025 · 1 hr 28 min
Catching up with Clare
This time we welcome friend of the show Professor Clare Downham of the University of Liverpool back to the show for an unprecedented THIRD time. We always have so much fun chatting with her that we can’t seem to stop! Clare is one of the world’s foremost scholars on vikings, particularly vikings in Ireland and England, and this time she talked to us about the new compilation of primary sources she’s just completed that will be published by Penguin Classics next year. But that wasn’t all. As we historians tend to do, we wandered into philosophical questions about the human condition which transcends time. It seems vikings were so very different from us and not so very different at the same time. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. It’s your opportunity to eavesdrop on what historians talk about when they talk like no one is listening. Skál! Vikingology is reader-supported. To make sure the fun doesn’t end, please consider becoming paid subscriber. Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 27, 2025 · 1 hr 30 min
A Norse is a Norse, of course. Or is it?
Imagine a past much like our own, only the myths and sagas of Norse legend are all true. Vikings roam the northern seas in search of plunder while skalds compose poetry about great adventures. Sorcerers manipulate unseen spirits and runes to cast powerful spells. Dragons and undead draugar hoard gold and other great treasures. Dwarves forge magic swords, change shape, and brew incredible mead and ale. And Odin is a massive a*****e. If any of that seems intriguing to you, well, it did to us too! So we decided to talk with author Gregory Amato who wrote that bit describing his books of fantasy fiction set in the Viking Age, most recently through his series Spear of the Gods. We talked about what drew him to this genre and how his two lives as a former FBI intelligence analyst and now author collide in his work. In addition to telling good stories and immersing his readers in another world, Gregory also hopes his work can help people to better understand Norse magic, myth, and people on their own terms, rather than through those more nefarious uses which abound in various corners of our world. This was an interesting and, at times, deep conversation about not only writing but engaging with the past responsibly in general. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Thanks Gregory! C.J. is looking forward to reading your signed copies ;) For more information, head to Gregory’s website where a free surprise awaits you! You can also find his other musings on his Substack. And you can buy his books here. Vikingology is reader-supported. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber so we can keep on truckin’. Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 19, 2025 · 1 hr 30 min
Of shieldmaidens and stories...
This time on the podcast the authors outnumbered the historians. We got a fun glimpse into the world of historical fiction writing set in the Viking Age from authors Johanna Wittenberg and K.S. Barton. Johanna writes the Norse Women series. K.S. is author of the Norse Family Saga trilogy. And that’s not all! They also co-host the podcast Shieldmaidens: Women of the Norse World where they discuss what it meant to be a woman in the Viking Age. With a mix of history, writing, and podcasting, they are our kind of people! We talked to them about why they chose the Viking Age as the backdrop for their stories, the art of writing and what it takes to appeal to readers of historical fiction, and what role AI may play in changing the writing game. And we also waded into the murky waters of women warriors. Did shieldmaidens exist? Watch or listen and find out! Thank you Johanna and K.S.! We had a great time. You can learn more about their work on their websites: johannawittenberg.com and ksbarton.com. Vikingology is reader-supported. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to keep the content coming. Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 8, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
"Valkyrie" sets sail!
It’s our 50th episode! A giant thanks to all of you who have listened, watched, and supported us in our little viking endeavor. We have a real treat that we’ve saved up special for the occasion — our long-awaited chat with Erik Knudsen, captain of the replica viking ship “Valkyrie”. In our three years of doing Vikingology Podcast, we have talked surprisingly little about viking ships, which seems kinda weird since they are one of the most iconic images of the Viking Age. But thanks to Erik, his dad David, and their shipwright Jay Smith of Aspøya Boats in Washington State who have recreated a 56-foot long replica inspired by a Skuldelev ship from the Viking Age in Denmark, we finally get to dive into some of the nitty gritty details of how those magnificent works of art and craft were created. We learned about building techniques and materials, what it feels like to sail a viking ship, why they were different than other boats of the time, and what it means to have a special, perhaps emotional, connection to such a vessel. If you’re used to listening to us, you’ll definitely want to watch our interview this time to see the cool images that we discuss. If you want to check out “Valkyrie” in person, you are in luck! Erik and his crew have been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard to take people out in her, so you can experience what it meant to be a viking for yourself (minus the raiding and pillaging, of course). Head to their website, Northwest Viking Ship, for more information and to book a tour. They are also hiring, so if you want a job as a viking, now is your opportunity! Tusend tak Erik! It was a real pleasure. Fair winds and following seas! Vikingology is reader-supported. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to keep the magic coming. Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 27, 2025 · 1 hr 23 min
Meet the Normans
Terri and C.J. are finally back together again! After a summer hiatus so that C.J. could move to France, we reunite for a very special chat with medievalist historian and fellow American Pacific Northwesterner Eleanor Janega. Some of you might recognize her from her incredibly popular History Hit TV series that she’s done on everything from the history of body modification to the plague, King Arthur, the medieval afterlife, and more. But we wanted to talk to her about her latest series about vikings named Norman. Well, actually the ones named “Rollo the Walker” and “William the B*****d” whose viking opportunism and medieval badassery gave us the area in France that we still call Normandy to this day because of them. We find out how and why a viking chieftain could create a dynasty that would change the history of a French region and the entirety of England forever. And why those Normans are the tech bros of the Viking Age. Thanks so much Eleanor! You are great fun and we look forward to chatting again soon. You can find out more about Eleanor’s work, including her books THE ONCE AND FUTURE SEX: Going Medieval on Women’s Roles in Society and The Middle Ages: A Graphic History on her website. You can also check out Eleanor on her two podcasts: Gone Medieval and We’re Not So Different. Vikingology is reader-supported. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to keep the magic coming. Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe
Jun 16, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
The Headless Norsemen
Oh, the tropes and stereotypes we have to endure as historians and enthusiasts of the Viking Age. From horned helmets to shieldmaidens, there’s lots about the period that is either false or shrouded in mystery, yet it endures in our popular imagination. But hang on to your heads, kids! In a new article, archaeologist and associate professor Martin Rundkvist is shedding light on another trope you may have heard about — vikings doing strange things with skulls. Did vikings really drink from the skulls of their dead enemies? Probably not, but did they do other stuff with them? According to Martin’s research the answer is a definite yes. But why? And whose skulls were they? In this episode we talked with him about his study of 34 skulls in Sweden and Denmark. The conclusions may seem shocking, but the Norse were far from alone in human history in what they did with those skulls. Watch the episode and then check out the article yourself here. You can also find some of his other work on his academia page. It’s super interesting stuff. Tack Martin! What a fascinating chat! We look forward to it again so we can hear about your adventures in Gotland. Vikingology is reader-supported. If you like what we do, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Get full access to Vikingology Podcast at vikingology.substack.com/subscribe

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