The Viking's Haul

13/11/2025

Just a few of the many music biographies about to hit the shelves!

12/11/2025

Before elephant ivory became readily available to European artisans & craftsmen, walrus ivory and whale teeth were the favoured material for top end merchandise. The Vikings were greatly involved with this trade, having a virtual monopoly supply of walrus ivory from Greenland. They then facilitated trade of both raw materials and finished products throughout most of Europe.

Bidro handelen med havelfenbein til at de norrøne bosetterne forlot Grønland? 🤔

Havets elfenbein – hvalross-støttenner og hvaltenner – var ettertraktet av dyktige håndverkere og kunstnere i vikingtiden og middelalderens Europa. Mellom 800- og 1200-tallet ble hvalrosselfenbein ofte foretrukket over elefantelfenbein når man skar ut utsøkte gjenstander for de velstående og kirken. Det ble også brukt til å lage eksklusive versjoner av vanlige gjenstander som spillebrikker – for eksempel de berømte Lewis-sjakkbrikkene.

Trondheim spilte en viktig rolle ved å forbinde jegerne i nord med fjerne kunder, og fungerte som et senter for håndverk. Handelen strakte seg også østover til Novgorod og Kiev, og deretter videre til Bysants og Asia. Over tid la omfattende eurasisk etterspørsel alvorlig press på hvalrossbestandene på Island og Grønland.

Dersom du synes at dette er spennende – og lurer på hva som skjedde med de norrøne bosetterne – kan du bli med på VIMU Talk: The Surprising Story of Viking Age Sea Ivories for å høre mer.

NB! Torsdagens foredrag er på engelsk. 🇬🇧

📷: BERRE

11/11/2025

The best weapon has the best chance of surviving and therefore also the best chance of keeping you alive…

10/11/2025

10/11/2025

10/11/2025

The Galloway Hoard is currently being exhibited in Australia! It is at present on display at the Melbourne Museum, where it will reside until January 26, 2026.

Discovered in a field in Scotland in 2014, the Viking Age "community property" is now the focus of a new exhibition in Australia

09/11/2025

When some of our ancient cousins left home, long ago…

It was, in fact, the arrival of Attila’s Huns into Europe, that forced the Goths to move westward and into the Roman Empire, which they would eventually topple, in the West, at least.

Thanks for sending me the article, Rob Bowden👍😊

🇸🇪 Before the Vikings, There Were the Goths

Long before the longships and Viking raids, another group of warriors set out from the north — the Goths.

They left Scandza — likely Götaland in southern Sweden — and crossed the Baltic Sea, beginning one of history’s great migrations. From humble origins in the north, they swept into Europe and helped shape the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

They weren’t Vikings, but perhaps distant cousins — sharing that same restless spirit, courage, and taste for adventure.

Though the Goths disappeared into history, their legacy whispers through the centuries — in names like Gothenburg, in the ruins of old kingdoms, and perhaps in the warrior culture of Vendel-era Sweden, just before the Viking Age dawned.

09/11/2025

These items are on TradeMe, all starting with a $1 reserve. The auctions all end on Tuesday & Wednesday, so check them out - especially that classic, musical kiwi!😍
TM link in the comments, below⬇️

08/11/2025

The Great Magic - raising the dead of Teutoberg Forest, with help from the Green Witch!🧙‍♀️⚡️🧟‍♂️

Fancy dress for tonight’s Hallowe’en-themed 60th Birthday Party🥳🎂🥂

07/11/2025

In Sweden, going for a bush walk can lead to fascinating destinations, in this case a 3,500 year old Bronze Age burial mound in the middle of the forest. An ancient and unknown king’s final resting place, with his lands long since abandoned and overgrown.
We don’t have burial mounds, here in New Zealand, but if you take the time to go for a walk, there still many beautiful & interesting sights to enjoy.