Ogling Vikings: A viking aesthetic blog

"Hornelund" Bowl-shaped, circular gold fibula,

Iron Age (500 BC-1050 AD),

From Hornelund, Horne parish,

8.5 cm in diameter and weighs 60–75 grams,

Oulu, Finland

To quote an excerpt:

The evidence has been found in a runic inscription on one of the hoard’s four elaborately decorated silver “ribbon” arm rings, which has only just been deciphered. It reads: “This is the community’s wealth [property].”

Dr Martin Goldberg, NMS’s principal curator of early medieval and Viking collections, said the discovery had been made just as the treasure had been lent to Adelaide in Australia, its first international tour: “We’re spreading the wealth. Everybody owns a bit of this hoard – just like the inscription says.”

He added: “The idea that the wealth this hoard represents would be communally held is fascinating.”

Allow me to repeat the inscription:

Full-length videos (7-10 minutes):

The Vikings

Northmen, Danes, and Swedes

Wends, Balts, and Sámi/Finns

The Migration Period (c. 400-550 CE)

The Vendel Period (c. 550-750 CE)

Short videos (1-3 minutes):

The Word ‘Viking’

Vikings Weren’t Always Scandinavian

Vikings vs Charlemagne

Northmen

Danes

Swedes

Much more to come next year! I’ve got 3 more videos for introducing Viking History before we start hitting the Norse Mythology content. I’m also plotting a Valentines special (my old ‘Viking’ Love Stories lecture).

Many thanks for all the support, friends!