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Exploring the World
Exploring the World of the Vikings
Here is the complete story of the Vikings from their origins in Scandinavia during the early first millennium AD, through the incredible period of raiding, trading, and settling known as the Viking Age, to the last surviving Viking settlements in fifteenth-century Greenland.
Following in the footsteps of Viking merchants, raiders, and emigrants, we track their journeys from the first documented raid on the island monastery of Lindisfarne in 739 to the semi-mythical travels of individuals such as Eirik the Red and the expansive kingdoms of Viking leaders.
The book explores Viking life and culture in detail: their appearances, warfare, targets, crafts, and weapons, as well as their stunning pattern-welded swords and helmets. Drawing on the latest discoveries and augmenting textual evidence with archaeological detail, this is a vivid picture of the Vikings at home and abroad in an era that laid many of the foundations of the modern world.
Following in the footsteps of Viking merchants, raiders, and emigrants, we track their journeys from the first documented raid on the island monastery of Lindisfarne in 739 to the semi-mythical travels of individuals such as Eirik the Red and the expansive kingdoms of Viking leaders.
The book explores Viking life and culture in detail: their appearances, warfare, targets, crafts, and weapons, as well as their stunning pattern-welded swords and helmets. Drawing on the latest discoveries and augmenting textual evidence with archaeological detail, this is a vivid picture of the Vikings at home and abroad in an era that laid many of the foundations of the modern world.
240 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2007
10 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Richard Hall
15 books4 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Richard Hall, who has died of cancer aged 62, was one of the foremost archaeologists of the Viking age. In a career spent almost entirely in the city of York, he not only transformed understanding of pre-Norman urban development, but did so in a manner that combined scholarship and meticulous archaeological technique with a flair for enhancing public awareness and understanding.
Richard Hall
Only an archaeologist with Hall's dedication, dry wit and ability to lead a team by example could have delivered on the greatest challenge of his career, excavation of the major site at 16-22 Coppergate in York, between 1975 and 1981. His work there, utilising open-area excavation methodologies within archaeologically unprecedented cofferdam shoring, ensured detailed recording of deep and waterlogged deposits from the Roman period onwards.
The Viking age results were spectacular, notably the remains of timber buildings lying within tenements running away from the street towards the river Foss, together with a remarkable range of finds within them. In all, some 230,000 pieces of pottery were recovered from the excavation, together with five tonnes of animal bones and more than 15,000 "small finds", many being exotic imports such as amber from the Baltic or a silk purse from the Middle East.
Excavating and recording such a complexity of material was only the first step. Marshalling the data, overseeing its analysis, producing a synthesis and, most importantly, publishing the information was also critical. Hall managed all these aspects with determination, drive and a comprehensive attention to detail. The excavation itself was conducted with as much access for the public as possible, with on-site viewing platforms, exhibitions, guided tours and lectures all forming part of the project. Hall summarised the results of the excavation in a bestselling book, The Viking Dig (1984), and also provided the academic oversight for the Jorvik Viking Centre, which opened within the Coppergate development in 1984 and immediately became one of the UK's top 10 visitor attractions. Academic publication followed in a series of reports.
Hall's work at Coppergate was seminal in a number of ways. It revealed the rich contribution of Scandinavian settlers to the development of urban life in England; it enhanced understanding of the extensive (and largely undocumented) trade contacts of early medieval Europe; it utilised a range of innovatory techniques, notably paleoenvironmental research, then in its infancy; it fostered awareness of archaeology, exciting the general public; and it entered partnerships that enabled that excitement to be transformed into landmark presentations through the Jorvik Centre. For Hall personally, Coppergate helped him to build on his personal interest in the Viking age, not only in Britain but further afield, in Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland and the US.
Hall was born in Ilford, Essex, but moved as a child to Northern Ireland, where his father worked in the linen industry. He was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution and then Queen's University, Belfast, where he prepared an undergraduate study of Irish Viking age finds. He followed this with a doctorate at Southampton University on the Anglo-Scandinavian towns of the Danelaw, under the supervision of Peter Addyman, who shortly thereafter left the university to become director of the newly formed York Archaeological Trust. Hall, after excavations in Dublin, Derby and at Mount Grace priory in North Yorkshire, followed Addyman to York in 1974 as excavations supervisor. He worked for the trust for the rest of his life, becoming deputy director and then director of archaeology.
His role with the trust meant that he could not confine his attention to the Anglo-Scandinavian period. Indeed, he probably oversaw more than 1,000 different archaeological projects a
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Richard Hall, who has died of cancer aged 62, was one of the foremost archaeologists of the Viking age. In a career spent almost entirely in the city of York, he not only transformed understanding of pre-Norman urban development, but did so in a manner that combined scholarship and meticulous archaeological technique with a flair for enhancing public awareness and understanding.
Richard Hall
Only an archaeologist with Hall's dedication, dry wit and ability to lead a team by example could have delivered on the greatest challenge of his career, excavation of the major site at 16-22 Coppergate in York, between 1975 and 1981. His work there, utilising open-area excavation methodologies within archaeologically unprecedented cofferdam shoring, ensured detailed recording of deep and waterlogged deposits from the Roman period onwards.
The Viking age results were spectacular, notably the remains of timber buildings lying within tenements running away from the street towards the river Foss, together with a remarkable range of finds within them. In all, some 230,000 pieces of pottery were recovered from the excavation, together with five tonnes of animal bones and more than 15,000 "small finds", many being exotic imports such as amber from the Baltic or a silk purse from the Middle East.
Excavating and recording such a complexity of material was only the first step. Marshalling the data, overseeing its analysis, producing a synthesis and, most importantly, publishing the information was also critical. Hall managed all these aspects with determination, drive and a comprehensive attention to detail. The excavation itself was conducted with as much access for the public as possible, with on-site viewing platforms, exhibitions, guided tours and lectures all forming part of the project. Hall summarised the results of the excavation in a bestselling book, The Viking Dig (1984), and also provided the academic oversight for the Jorvik Viking Centre, which opened within the Coppergate development in 1984 and immediately became one of the UK's top 10 visitor attractions. Academic publication followed in a series of reports.
Hall's work at Coppergate was seminal in a number of ways. It revealed the rich contribution of Scandinavian settlers to the development of urban life in England; it enhanced understanding of the extensive (and largely undocumented) trade contacts of early medieval Europe; it utilised a range of innovatory techniques, notably paleoenvironmental research, then in its infancy; it fostered awareness of archaeology, exciting the general public; and it entered partnerships that enabled that excitement to be transformed into landmark presentations through the Jorvik Centre. For Hall personally, Coppergate helped him to build on his personal interest in the Viking age, not only in Britain but further afield, in Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland and the US.
Hall was born in Ilford, Essex, but moved as a child to Northern Ireland, where his father worked in the linen industry. He was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution and then Queen's University, Belfast, where he prepared an undergraduate study of Irish Viking age finds. He followed this with a doctorate at Southampton University on the Anglo-Scandinavian towns of the Danelaw, under the supervision of Peter Addyman, who shortly thereafter left the university to become director of the newly formed York Archaeological Trust. Hall, after excavations in Dublin, Derby and at Mount Grace priory in North Yorkshire, followed Addyman to York in 1974 as excavations supervisor. He worked for the trust for the rest of his life, becoming deputy director and then director of archaeology.
His role with the trust meant that he could not confine his attention to the Anglo-Scandinavian period. Indeed, he probably oversaw more than 1,000 different archaeological projects a
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 2, 2015
“Exploring the world of the Vikings” is written by Richard Hall and was published in 2007.
I’ve purchased this book in the museum shop of The Dutch National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden). This museum is the national centre of archaeology where you can appreciate the cultures of ancient Egypt, the Near East, the classical world and the early Netherlands. If you are in the neighbourhood, don’t forget to visit!
The book describes the full story of the Vikings form their origins in Scandinavia during the early first millennium to the last surviving Viking settlements in fifteenth-century Greenland.
The following topics are described in detail and illustrated with very good images and photographs:
• Who were the Vikings?
• Viking Life and culture.
• Raiders and Invaders.
• Invaders and Settlers.
• New found Lands.
• Expressions of identity: Religion and art.
• The later Viking age.
• The end and after.
• Nationalists, romantics, madmen and scholars.
Important subjects such as Runes are taken care of by Richard Hall. His writing is complete and convincing. Richard Hall is Director of Archaeology at York Archaeological Trust and he led the excavations of Viking age York and helped to device the world-famous Jorvik Viking Centre. It helps that we visited this beautiful museum in York and as well the Viking museum in Roskilde Denmark and the Vikingskipshuset-museum in Oslo Norway. The National museum in Copenhagen also has a very extensive exhibition concerning Vikings and other subjects.
“Exploring the world of the Vikings” gives you the possibility to read again all the wonders concerning Vikings without the need to travel through Scandinavia and England. However I think that our next holiday designation will be again Sweden ☺.
Finished ready and really enjoyed it. If you like Vikings and want to know more you must read this!
I’ve purchased this book in the museum shop of The Dutch National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden). This museum is the national centre of archaeology where you can appreciate the cultures of ancient Egypt, the Near East, the classical world and the early Netherlands. If you are in the neighbourhood, don’t forget to visit!
The book describes the full story of the Vikings form their origins in Scandinavia during the early first millennium to the last surviving Viking settlements in fifteenth-century Greenland.
The following topics are described in detail and illustrated with very good images and photographs:
• Who were the Vikings?
• Viking Life and culture.
• Raiders and Invaders.
• Invaders and Settlers.
• New found Lands.
• Expressions of identity: Religion and art.
• The later Viking age.
• The end and after.
• Nationalists, romantics, madmen and scholars.
Important subjects such as Runes are taken care of by Richard Hall. His writing is complete and convincing. Richard Hall is Director of Archaeology at York Archaeological Trust and he led the excavations of Viking age York and helped to device the world-famous Jorvik Viking Centre. It helps that we visited this beautiful museum in York and as well the Viking museum in Roskilde Denmark and the Vikingskipshuset-museum in Oslo Norway. The National museum in Copenhagen also has a very extensive exhibition concerning Vikings and other subjects.
“Exploring the world of the Vikings” gives you the possibility to read again all the wonders concerning Vikings without the need to travel through Scandinavia and England. However I think that our next holiday designation will be again Sweden ☺.
Finished ready and really enjoyed it. If you like Vikings and want to know more you must read this!
September 15, 2008
It annoys me that some of the most fascinating cultures in history can only be learned about via the archeological record. Therefore, books on ancient Egypt often devolve into exhaustive catalogs of items uncovered at dig sites, followed by dry speculation on their significance. This book on the vikings suffers from the same weakness. The pictures are great and the author picks out some interesting details, but in the end it lacks the juiciness of a good book about a more well documented era.
September 28, 2015
Good pictures of historical objects, good history, a little dull in the reading, but good source of information about Viking raiders.
April 5, 2011
This is a beautiful book. Glossy, incredible pictures and pages and pages of information that will take you on a wonderful journey.
December 26, 2024
December 2023
Overview
The Vikings significantly impacted Christian communities during the late 8th and 9th centuries, with their influence peaking around 1000 AD during what is often called 'The Age of the Vikings'. While not all Scandinavians were Vikings, those who were engaged in warfare and seaborne raiding became synonymous with the term.
Key Characteristics of the Viking Era
Who Were the Vikings?
- Vikings were Scandinavian seaborne raiders known for their plundering activities during the early medieval period. - Not all Scandinavians were Vikings; many were farmers, traders, and artisans.
Runic Writing and Literacy in Scandinavia:
- Scandinavia was not fully literate during the Viking Age. - Runes, a form of writing developed in the 2nd or 1st century AD, were used during this period. - The Elder Futhark, consisting of 24 runes, was used for inscriptions and magical purposes.
· - ᚠ Fehu (F)
· - ᚢ Uruz (U)
· - ᚦ Thurisaz (TH)
· - ᚨ Ansuz (A)
· - ᚱ Raido (R)
· - ᚲ Kaunaz (K)
· - ᚷ Gebo (G)
· - ᚹ Wunjo (W)
· - ᚺ/ᚻ Hagalaz (H)
· - ᚾ Nauthiz (N)
· - ᛁ Isa (I)
· - ᛃ Jera (J/Y)
· - ᛇ Eihwaz (EI/Y)
· - ᛈ Perthro (P)
· - ᛉ Algiz (Z)
· - ᛋ/ᛊ Sowilo (S)
· - ᛏ Tiwaz (T)
· - ᛒ Berkano (B)
· - ᛖ Ehwaz (E)
· - ᛗ Mannaz (M)
· - ᛚ Laguz (L)
· - ᛜ/ᛝ Ingwaz (NG)
· - ᛟ Othala (O)
· - ᛞ Dagaz (D)
Historical Timeline in Scandinavia:
- 1-400 AD: Early (Roman) Iron Age - 400-550 AD: Early (Germanic) Iron Age - 550-800 AD: Later (Germanic) Iron Age (Vendel Period) - 800-1050 AD: Viking Age
Society and Structure
Leadership and Social Hierarchy:
- Kings governed Viking society and were supported by noble classes and warriors. - Hierarchy: - Húskarls (Landowners) - Jarls (Earls) -> Freemen -> Slaves - Stallers (Senior officials)
Economic and Agricultural Self-Sufficiency:
- Vikings were skilled farmers, fishers, and hunters. - They utilized raw materials to craft tools, weapons, and ships.
Tribal Structure:
- Viking tribes followed leaders, and prominent groups included the Norwegians, Saami, Finns, Svear, Goths, and Danes.
Key Events and Raids
- 793 AD: First recorded Viking raid on Lindisfarne Monastery. - Other notable raids: - Iona (Scotland) - Zutphen (Netherlands) - Île de Groix (France)
- Ireland:
- 841 AD: Vikings established Dublin (Dubh Linn, meaning 'Black Pool'). - 917-1170 AD: A Viking dynasty ruled Dublin.
Religion and Mythology
Pagan Beliefs:
- Vikings practiced polytheism, worshiping a pantheon of gods and goddesses. - Paganism was often described as a 'religion of the peasantry.'
Transition to Christianity:
- By 1000 AD, Christianity was widely accepted by Danes, Norwegians, and Swedes.
Mythological Framework:
- Yggdrasil: Sacred ash tree representing the universe. - Midgard: Human realm, encircled by the serpent Jörmungandr. - Asgard: Realm of the gods. - Jötunheim: Land of giants. - Ragnarök: Apocalyptic destruction leading to a new world.
Afterlife Beliefs:
- Great warriors chosen by Valkyries joined Odin in Valhalla. - Others went to Hel (realm of the dead).
Gods and Their Roles
Odin (Woden):
- God of wisdom, war, and poetry. - Sacrificed one eye for wisdom and hung himself to understand runes. - Accompanied by two ravens, Hugin (Thought) and Munin (Memory). - Wednesday is named after him.
Thor:
- God of thunder and protector against giants. - Wielded Mjölnir, a magical hammer. - Known for reliability and straightforwardness. - Thursday is his day.
Frey:
- God of fertility, prosperity, and favorable weather. - Freyja, his sister, was the goddess of love and beauty.
Literature and Culture
- Poetic Edda: A collection of Norse mythological poems and tales. - Viking halls symbolized wealth and power.
Notable Figures and Stories
- Leif Erikson: Credited with exploring and settling parts of North America (Vinland). - King Harald Finehair: Prominent king whose saga outlines the unification of Norway.
Overview
The Vikings significantly impacted Christian communities during the late 8th and 9th centuries, with their influence peaking around 1000 AD during what is often called 'The Age of the Vikings'. While not all Scandinavians were Vikings, those who were engaged in warfare and seaborne raiding became synonymous with the term.
Key Characteristics of the Viking Era
Who Were the Vikings?
- Vikings were Scandinavian seaborne raiders known for their plundering activities during the early medieval period. - Not all Scandinavians were Vikings; many were farmers, traders, and artisans.
Runic Writing and Literacy in Scandinavia:
- Scandinavia was not fully literate during the Viking Age. - Runes, a form of writing developed in the 2nd or 1st century AD, were used during this period. - The Elder Futhark, consisting of 24 runes, was used for inscriptions and magical purposes.
· - ᚠ Fehu (F)
· - ᚢ Uruz (U)
· - ᚦ Thurisaz (TH)
· - ᚨ Ansuz (A)
· - ᚱ Raido (R)
· - ᚲ Kaunaz (K)
· - ᚷ Gebo (G)
· - ᚹ Wunjo (W)
· - ᚺ/ᚻ Hagalaz (H)
· - ᚾ Nauthiz (N)
· - ᛁ Isa (I)
· - ᛃ Jera (J/Y)
· - ᛇ Eihwaz (EI/Y)
· - ᛈ Perthro (P)
· - ᛉ Algiz (Z)
· - ᛋ/ᛊ Sowilo (S)
· - ᛏ Tiwaz (T)
· - ᛒ Berkano (B)
· - ᛖ Ehwaz (E)
· - ᛗ Mannaz (M)
· - ᛚ Laguz (L)
· - ᛜ/ᛝ Ingwaz (NG)
· - ᛟ Othala (O)
· - ᛞ Dagaz (D)
Historical Timeline in Scandinavia:
- 1-400 AD: Early (Roman) Iron Age - 400-550 AD: Early (Germanic) Iron Age - 550-800 AD: Later (Germanic) Iron Age (Vendel Period) - 800-1050 AD: Viking Age
Society and Structure
Leadership and Social Hierarchy:
- Kings governed Viking society and were supported by noble classes and warriors. - Hierarchy: - Húskarls (Landowners) - Jarls (Earls) -> Freemen -> Slaves - Stallers (Senior officials)
Economic and Agricultural Self-Sufficiency:
- Vikings were skilled farmers, fishers, and hunters. - They utilized raw materials to craft tools, weapons, and ships.
Tribal Structure:
- Viking tribes followed leaders, and prominent groups included the Norwegians, Saami, Finns, Svear, Goths, and Danes.
Key Events and Raids
- 793 AD: First recorded Viking raid on Lindisfarne Monastery. - Other notable raids: - Iona (Scotland) - Zutphen (Netherlands) - Île de Groix (France)
- Ireland:
- 841 AD: Vikings established Dublin (Dubh Linn, meaning 'Black Pool'). - 917-1170 AD: A Viking dynasty ruled Dublin.
Religion and Mythology
Pagan Beliefs:
- Vikings practiced polytheism, worshiping a pantheon of gods and goddesses. - Paganism was often described as a 'religion of the peasantry.'
Transition to Christianity:
- By 1000 AD, Christianity was widely accepted by Danes, Norwegians, and Swedes.
Mythological Framework:
- Yggdrasil: Sacred ash tree representing the universe. - Midgard: Human realm, encircled by the serpent Jörmungandr. - Asgard: Realm of the gods. - Jötunheim: Land of giants. - Ragnarök: Apocalyptic destruction leading to a new world.
Afterlife Beliefs:
- Great warriors chosen by Valkyries joined Odin in Valhalla. - Others went to Hel (realm of the dead).
Gods and Their Roles
Odin (Woden):
- God of wisdom, war, and poetry. - Sacrificed one eye for wisdom and hung himself to understand runes. - Accompanied by two ravens, Hugin (Thought) and Munin (Memory). - Wednesday is named after him.
Thor:
- God of thunder and protector against giants. - Wielded Mjölnir, a magical hammer. - Known for reliability and straightforwardness. - Thursday is his day.
Frey:
- God of fertility, prosperity, and favorable weather. - Freyja, his sister, was the goddess of love and beauty.
Literature and Culture
- Poetic Edda: A collection of Norse mythological poems and tales. - Viking halls symbolized wealth and power.
Notable Figures and Stories
- Leif Erikson: Credited with exploring and settling parts of North America (Vinland). - King Harald Finehair: Prominent king whose saga outlines the unification of Norway.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2021
This book has a lot of useful information and the images are great. There are times however that the pace of the book is slow. I recommend this book to those either with a serious interest in Vikings or those about to study Vikings.
March 6, 2017
Very good reference book for upcoming exhibit at DMNS
November 24, 2018
Informative and beautifully photographed. A great overview of the Viking era.
May 7, 2013
It's a good book, I didn't read that much out of it during my viking course, and have not finished it after either, comparing to the other ones I've but it have many interesting pictures and some good points that the other ones I had didn't fill in and both a historical and archaeological view in the Vikings.
Read
August 3, 2011Pretty textbook, but interesting
January 19, 2016
Great book. Has the latest archaeological discoveries. Interesting timeline, Photographs, and drawings. A must read if you are into Vikings history.
July 30, 2016
Informative
June 4, 2017
A good value, informative book on the Vikings though, for my liking, it tended to not spend very long on each particular aspect that it chose to focus each chapter on, leaving you wanting more.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews