Viking Worlds  
Things, Spaces and Movement
Published by Oxbow Books
Publication Date:  Available in all formats
ISBN: 9781782977285
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Fourteen papers explore a variety of inter-disciplinary approaches to understanding the Viking past, both in Scandinavia and in the Viking diaspora. Contributions employ both traditional inter- or multi-disciplinarian perspectives such as using historical sources, Icelandic sagas and Eddic poetry and also specialised methodologies and/or empirical studies, place-name research, the history of religion and technological advancements, such as isotope analysis. Together these generate new insights into the technology, social organisation and mentality of the worlds of the Vikings.

Geographically, contributions range from Iceland through Scandinavia to the Continent. Scandinavian, British and Continental Viking scholars come together to challenge established truths, present new definitions and discuss old themes from new angles. Topics discussed include personal and communal identity; gender relations between people, artefacts, and places/spaces; rules and regulations within different social arenas; processes of production, trade and exchange, and transmission of knowledge within both past Viking-age societies and present-day research. Displaying thematic breadth as well as geographic and academic diversity, the articles may foreshadow up-and-coming themes for Viking Age research. Rooted in different traditions, using diverse methods and exploring eclectic material – Viking Worlds will provide the reader with a sense of current and forthcoming issues, debates and topics in Viking studies, and give insight into a new generation of ideas and approaches which will mark the years to come.
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Fourteen papers explore a variety of inter-disciplinary approaches to understanding the Viking past, both in Scandinavia and in the Viking diaspora. Contributions employ both traditional inter- or multi-disciplinarian perspectives such as using historical sources, Icelandic sagas and Eddic poetry and also specialised methodologies and/or empirical studies, place-name research, the history of religion and technological advancements, such as isotope analysis. Together these generate new insights into the technology, social organisation and mentality of the worlds of the Vikings.

Geographically, contributions range from Iceland through Scandinavia to the Continent. Scandinavian, British and Continental Viking scholars come together to challenge established truths, present new definitions and discuss old themes from new angles. Topics discussed include personal and communal identity; gender relations between people, artefacts, and places/spaces; rules and regulations within different social arenas; processes of production, trade and exchange, and transmission of knowledge within both past Viking-age societies and present-day research. Displaying thematic breadth as well as geographic and academic diversity, the articles may foreshadow up-and-coming themes for Viking Age research. Rooted in different traditions, using diverse methods and exploring eclectic material – Viking Worlds will provide the reader with a sense of current and forthcoming issues, debates and topics in Viking studies, and give insight into a new generation of ideas and approaches which will mark the years to come.
Table of contents
  • Cover
  • Title Page
  • Copyright
  • Contents
  • List of contributors
  • Preface: Exploring Viking Worlds
  • Chapter 1: From Ginnungagap to the Ragnarök. Archaeologies of the Viking Worlds
  • Part I: Real and Ideal Spaces
    • Chapter 2: Powerful space. The Iron-Age hall and its development during the Viking Age
    • Chapter 3: Húsdrápa. A skaldic poem in context
    • Chapter 4: Courtyard sites in western Norway. Central assembly places and judicial institutions in the Late Iron Age
    • Chapter 5: Place names and settlement development around an aristocratic residence. Thoughts from an on-going study of the hinterland of Tissø
    • Chapter 6: The powerful ring. Door rings, oath rings and the sacral place
  • Part II: Gendered Things, Gendered Spaces?
    • Chapter 7: She came from another place. On the burial of a young girl in Birka
    • Chapter 8: Roles and perceptions of shielings and the mediation of gender identities in Viking and medieval Iceland
    • Chapter 9: ‘Truth’ and reproduction of knowledge. Critical thoughts on the interpretation and understanding of Iron-Age keys
  • Part III: Production, Exchange and Movement
    • Chapter 10: Manors and markets. Continental perspectives on Viking-Age trade and exchange
    • Chapter 11: Making the cloth that binds us. The role of textile production in producing Viking-Age identities
    • Chapter 12: Leadworking in Viking-Age Norway
    • Chapter 13: Isotopic analysis of silver from Hedeby and some nearby hoards. Preliminary results
    • Chapter 14: Vikings in Poland. A critical overview
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